1 Samuel 15:10-33
15:12 a Carmel was a town near Hebron in southern Judah.• Saul commemorated his own accomplishments by erecting a monument to himself. In reality, he had earned shame (15:16-19 b).
• Gilgal: See 13:4 c.
15:13 d I have carried out the Lord’s command! Cp. 15:3 e. Saul apparently thought his actions were justified (15:15 f; cp. Lev 22:19 g). Samuel, however, cut through Saul’s pretense (1 Sam 15:17-19 h) and carried out God’s command himself (15:32-33 i).
15:15 j Saul blamed the army even though he was the commander. Certainly, his real motivation was not spiritual (15:9 k).
15:17 l As the anointed ... king of Israel, Saul bore the responsibility for disobeying God, which neither false humility nor making excuses could diminish.
15:21 m my troops: Saul persisted in blaming others (see 15:15 n).
• Gilgal was a religious center. Saul tried to use religion to justify disobedience to God.
15:22 o What is more pleasing: God values obedience much more than ritual (see also Ps 40:6 p; Hos 6:6 q; Matt 12:7 r).
• the fat of rams: The choicest parts of the animal were offered to God.
15:23 s Rebellion ... and stubbornness, sins of the heart, are as bad as the sinful practices of idolatrous pagans.
• Scripture condemns witchcraft (see study note on Deut 18:10).
Summary for 1Sam 15:24-30: 15:24-30 t Saul finally confessed his sin. But it was too little, too late—and still accompanied by excuses. 15:24 u I was afraid of the people: Saul continued to blame others (see 15:15 v, 21 w).
• what they demanded: There is no hint of such pressure in the chapter. Saul’s confession appears dishonest (cp. David, 2 Sam 12:13 x; Ps 51 y).
15:28 z Saul soon discovered who this someone else was (18:8-9 aa; cp. ch 16 ab).
15:29 ac nor will he change his mind: Samuel spoke prophetically of God’s commitment to make David king and to preserve his dynasty. God had rejected Saul, but he would never reject David (see 2 Sam 7:8-17 ad).
15:30 ae honor me before the elders: To help Saul save face.
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