The LORD said to Samuel, "I am sorry that I made Saul king; he has turned away from me and disobeyed my commands." Samuel was angry, and all night long he pleaded with the LORD. Early the following morning he went off to find Saul. He heard that Saul had gone to the town of Carmel, where he had built a monument to himself, and then had gone on to Gilgal. Samuel went up to Saul, who greeted him, saying, "The LORD bless you, Samuel! I have obeyed the LORD’s command." Samuel then asked, "Why then, do I hear cattle mooing and sheep bleating?"

1 Samuel 15:10-13

…Samuel answered, "Even though you consider yourself of no importance, you are the leader of the tribes of Israel. The LORD anointed you king of Israel, and he sent you out with orders to destroy those wicked people of Amalek. He told you to fight until you had killed them all. Why, then, did you not obey him? Why did you rush to grab the loot, and so do what displeases the LORD?"

1 Samuel 15:17-19

The life of King Saul shows us the enormous price for disobedience. He never figured that his continued willfulness and stubborn pride would eventually cost him his honor, his family, his friends, his influence for good, and his fellowship with God. He lost it all. He failed to see it coming when he decided to keep a few sheep for his own pleasure, but the decision was costly to him.

Sin adds to your troubles, and subtracts from your energy.

Our Daily Bread – March 15, 2002