Saul

Saul is the personification of compromise. He was supposed to lead Israel in the ways of God, but allowed the people to lead him in their ways. God told Saul to kill all the livestock and people of the Amalekites. But Saul did not kill the king and he kept the best of the animals. Then he claimed he had obeyed the Lord. When Samuel asked about the animals, Saul answered:

But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal. (1 Sam 15:21).

So Saul blamed the people he was supposed to be leading. Saul’s other excuse was that he would sacrifice these fine animals to the Lord. This is appeasement, rather than obedience. He did not know God’s heart. God did not want the sacrifice. He did not need the offering.

This thinking can make us believe that we have a better way than God. We have a plan that will enhance God’s kingdom and name, although it is not really in line with His word. The results will look great. We can say, “God needs the money, or He needs this or that to save the world.” If we will follow His plan the world will be reached. His plan is that we love and obey Him and live the life style He asks us to.