"Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, He hath also
rejected thee from being king.--_1 Samuel 15:23._
[Illustration]
LAST Sunday you heard how God chose Saul to be king of Israel, and
promised to help him if he would obey in all that God commanded him.
Now, there were some cruel robbers that lived in the mountains, and
used to fall upon peaceful people and kill them; and take their cows
and sheep and camels and asses, and gold and silver, and all they had.
So God sent a message by Samuel to Saul and his brave men, to destroy
these cruel people; but God said that none of all their prey and
riches, that had been gained by such wicked ways, was to be kept by His
people; it was all to be made away with; they were to have none of it
for themselves.
They won the battle, and killed the robbers, as they were sure to do
when God helped them; but then when they saw such fine cattle and
choice things, they would not obey God, but went and took it all for
themselves. They left only the poor and mean that they did not care
for, and helped themselves to all they liked.
And then, when Samuel came to meet them, Saul made as if he had done
just what he was told, and said, "I have obeyed the voice of the Lord."
But Samuel said, "What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine
ears, and the lowing of oxen which I hear?"
Saul wanted to make excuses; but it was not the first time he had been
disobedient; and he was only frightened, he was not really sorry; so
Samuel was obliged to tell him, "Because thou hast rejected the word of
the Lord, He hath also rejected thee from being king."
[Illustration: SAUL TEARING THE ROBE OF SAMUEL.--1 Sam. 15:27, 28.]
Saul would not do as he was told, and so God punished him. Remember
that. Your parents and teachers, or nurses, give you orders; and you
have to mind them exactly--not only to do what you like, and miss out
the rest. Saul did what he liked when he fought the robbers, but he
would not obey when he took the spoil. Then God was angry with him. Do
not you be like him; but obey when you do not like, as well as when you
do like.