May 29, 2025 • 38 mins
# 160 - Saul: The Rejected King – In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, we explore 1 Samuel 15 and the unraveling of Saul’s kingship after he defies God’s command. Through dramatic storytelling and spiritual insight, we reflect on the cost of partial obedience and the call to trust God fully, even when His ways seem difficult to understand.
Episode 160 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.
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For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/who-we-are?utm_source=pray
Today's opening prayer is inspired by 1 Samuel 15:22, "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams."
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Show Notes:
(01:46) Intro with Yael Eckstein
(02:59) Saul: The Rejected King
(30:46) Reflection with Yael Eckstein
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is
better than the fat of rams. First Samuel fifteen twenty two.
Holy God, your voice speaks clearly through the ages. You
call us to obedience, not out of harshness, but out
(00:23):
of love. Yet so often we choose our own way.
We let fear, pride, and self interest drown out your words.
Oh forgive us, Father, for the times we have heard
but not listened, for the times we have obeyed half way,
(00:45):
believing that was enough. We ask for your mercy to
fill the cracks in our imperfect hearts. Give us ears
to hear, hearts to trust, and hands to act in
faithful obedience. Shape us into people who delight in your
(01:07):
commands and walk in your ways. And when we falter,
remind us that your grace is not just a safety net,
but a call to something greater than Your faithfulness. Renew us,
strengthen us, and lead us in paths of righteousness. Amen,
(01:37):
thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to
the Chosen People with y l xteen. Remain here for
a dramatic story inspired by the Bible. Be sure to
follow this podcast so you never miss an episode.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Previously on the chosen people.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
I suppose it's settled. Then lo the king you beg for,
he spears, he's grand and well, I'm sure nothing could
possibly go wrong. Let's coronate this young man before the
Lord and the people at guild.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
The people need to see me with the favor of God.
They need to know I am anointed.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
If they do not see the sacrifice, they will run.
Speaker 4 (02:36):
They will believe me as a king.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Without a king.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
What have you done? Oh?
Speaker 5 (02:45):
Come now, said you're so big, Neil.
Speaker 4 (02:47):
My people needed a bit of encouragement as their king.
Speaker 5 (02:52):
I think they are your people.
Speaker 4 (02:54):
Of course, people say not yours.
Speaker 6 (02:59):
You does defy their king, who has cursed this battle.
I will slaughter the guilty man where he stands, even
if it is my own son.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
The soldiers stepped back. The young prince stood alone. Saul
drew back, his arm, blade cocked and ready to drive
into Jonathan's throat, but the men surged forward. Each man
rallied to Jonathan's side, eventually surrounding their king, ready to pounce,
(03:34):
and Saul, in his solitude, felt the weight of God's
absence heavier than ever before.
Speaker 7 (03:45):
A crown can weigh more than a chain, especially when
pride is factored in shell. O, my friends from here
in the holy land of Israel, i'm l extein with
international fellowship of Christians and Jews, and welcome the Chosen People.
This story begins with the echoes of ancient battles and
the weight of a crown, a fragile crowned, precariously balanced
(04:10):
on a restless head. The Chosen people wanted a king,
and they got one. A tall man, a strong man,
from the smallest of Israel's tribes. Saul was chosen. But
who chose him? Was it God? Or was it the
impatient people of Israel? In First Samuel fifteen, we are
thrust into a moment in which obedience to the voice
(04:32):
of God will be tested against the murmurings of a
restless heart. What happens when one chosen person to lead
is rejected? What does it mean to be rejected by God?
Speaker 4 (04:47):
And?
Speaker 7 (04:47):
More hauntingly, is rejection the end? Or is it the
beginning of something perhaps even worse?
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Blood fell like rain. Saul stood in the heart of
the battlefield, his golden armor now painted in deep crimson.
He wrenched his sword from a Moabite's chest, his breath
coming in short ragged gasps. The man collapsed at his feet,
joining the heap of bodies that littered the ground. A
(05:20):
slight smile escaped his lips. There was a fire in
his eyes, wild and unrelenting. Another victory, another nation humbled
beneath his blade. But it was not enough. It was
never enough. The King of Israel had become a creature
of war. He waged battle like a starving man, consuming
(05:44):
everything in his path, yet never feeling full. The Moabites
had fallen, but there were always more enemies, the Ammonites,
the Edomites, the kings of Zoba. He chased them all,
striking and cutting, but never conquering. His armies clashed steel
against steel, but his victories were shallow. His hands clenched
(06:07):
the crown, but it was never truly his. There was
no peace in war, but neither was their peace in stillness.
Saul was a tortured soul. After his campaign against the Edomites,
Saul returned to his fortress in Gibea. The palace was
(06:28):
a monument to his reign. Great tapestries told stories of
his battles. Silver lamp stands flickered along the walls, and
the air was thick with the scent of burning cedar wood.
His throne, carved from the finest trees of Lebanon, was
draped in furs and purple linens. It was a king's seat,
(06:50):
and yet he sat in it like a prisoner. The
fire in the hearth crackled, its glow, casting long shadows
across the chamber. Saul slouched forward, his elbows resting on
his knees, his hands clasped. His body was weary from battle,
but his mind raced, restless and unfulfilled. He had slain
(07:14):
countless men, expanded the borders of his kingdom, and fathered
strong sons, but still something gnawed did his soul. He
had sought victory but found only emptiness. He had sought
glory but found only blood. And worst of all, God
was silent. The Lord whose spirit had once rested upon
(07:38):
him had turned his face away. Saul could feel it
like a void in his chest. He had ruled without
God's strength for years now, and the weight of the
crown was beginning to crush him. He needed purpose, he
needed direction. He needed to hear God's voice. The great
(07:59):
door of the hall groaned as they opened, letting in
the light from outside. A lone figure entered, silhouetted against
the firelight. The guards did not stop him. They knew
who he was. The man limped forward, leaning heavily on
his staff. Saul's breath caught in his throat. He recognized
(08:21):
that staff, that gait, that hooded figure.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
Samuel, is that you?
Speaker 2 (08:29):
The old prophet moved without haste, settling himself near the fire.
He did not speak. He simply beckoned with his hand, wordlessly,
summoning Saul forward. The King of Israel rose from his
throne and fell to his knees before the prophet. His
fingers clutched at Samuel's robe, pressing his forehead against the fabric.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
Ugh, I've I thought you left me forever.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
And then without worn he broke a great sob racked
his chest. The sound of it filled the halls, echoing
off the stone. His whole body shook with the weight
of his sorrow. Samuel said nothing, He only placed a
gnarled hand atop the king's head. The touch was gentle, pitying.
(09:21):
Saul wept like a child. For all his might, for
all his victories, for all his golden armor and sharp
edged swords, he was a lost man, and he knew it.
A silence stretched between them, thick as the smoke curling
from the fire. And then at last Samuel spoke.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
You are still king of Israel, are you not.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Saul swallowed, nodding weakly. Samuel exhaled the breath slow and
measured his voice. When it came was like the groaning
of old wood.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
The Lord has sent me to anoint you for this
next battle. He has not forgotten the sins of Amelek.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
At the name, Saul lifted his head, blinking away the
last remnants of his grief.
Speaker 4 (10:18):
The Malakites.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
Long ago, when your ancestors fled from Egypt, Amelek struck
them in their weakness. They ambushed Israel without cause, slaughtering.
Speaker 8 (10:33):
The weary in the weak.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
They have been a curse upon this land for generations.
They are the first of our enemies. They hate our
people without cause, and they slaughter our people without mercy.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
The old prophet leaned forward, his voice taking on the
cadence of judgment.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Thus says the Lord, I will pana Shamelk for what
he did Israel iron wipe his name from the earth.
Go now, Saul, and destroy them motterly, leave none alive,
Take no captives, take no spoils, burn it all.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
Saul met Samuel's gaze, searching for something, perhaps a sign
of softness, some room for mercy. He found none, but
Samuel's eyes were hard as stone.
Speaker 4 (11:33):
Finally, for the Lord has spoken to me, I will
do it. I will show you that I'm still meant
to be king.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Saul pressed his lips to Samuel's hand, bowing in reverence. Then,
without another word, he rose and strode from the hall,
his mind already turning to the battle ahead. The order
was given, the war horns sounded, the men gathered. Saul
would ride for Amelek, and this time he would not fail.
(12:08):
The morning sun blazed over the valleys of Telaeen, casting
golden fire over the ranks of Israel's great host. Two
hundred thousand men stood shoulder to shoulder, armed with iron
and clothed in bronze. The sight of them stretched to
the horizon, a tide of steel waiting to break at
(12:30):
their head. Clad in shining armor, stood sore, his breastplate
caught the sunlight, his great sword gleamed at his hip,
and his helm, crested with a plume of dyed horsehair,
marked him unmistakably as the king of Israel, a king
of war. He raised his hand, and the murmuring of
(12:52):
the men fell silent. The only sound was the wind
rolling over the hills.
Speaker 9 (12:59):
Send word to the Kenites. They have shown kindness to
our fathers. Let them flee before we strike.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
The messengers rode out in the villages of the Kennyites.
The words spread quickly, leave or perish, and so they fled,
the wise among them, vanishing into the hills, leaving the
Amalekites to their fate. Saul watched them go, his expression unreadable.
The mercy of a king was a precious thing. It
(13:31):
made the men love him all the more. When the
last of the Kenites disappeared, Saul turned back to his army.
He unsheathed his sword and lifted it high into the air.
The sun kissed the blade, and the men roared as one.
With a mighty swing of his arm, Saul pointed forward,
(13:52):
add mans, the march to Havilah began. The Amalekites were
ready for them. Agag, their warlord king, had gathered his
fighters at the northern gate. Their banners snapped in the wind,
their weapons glinting. They would not fall without a fight,
(14:13):
but Saul had already seen through their plan, even as
a gag prepared his forces at the gate. Half of
Israel's army had already broken away, circling the western border.
The Amalekites thought they were holding the line until the
second wave of Israelites struck their flank, like a storm
(14:34):
crashing against a ship. The battle was swift. The warriors
of Israel poured into the streets, their swords swinging through
the air. Amalekite men fell, screaming. Blood ran through the
city's gutters. From Havila to shore. The oppressors of Israel
were torn apart. Saul had never known such a conquest.
(15:00):
Saul strode through the wreckage of Havila. He saw Amalekites
weep and wail before him, their voices roar with terror.
They knew his name, they knew his sword. This was
what it meant to be feared to be great. His
soldiers cut down the last of the Amalekite resistance, and
(15:23):
Saul led a company of his best men to the palace.
The doors were barred, but Saul was a mountain of
a man. He lifted his leg and drove it forward.
The woods splintered and the gates burst open. Inside, Agag
stood waiting.
Speaker 5 (15:41):
King Saul, not sending your son this time to do
your dirty work.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
The Amalekite king was no coward. He gripped his sword tightly,
his dark eyes burning with hatred. Around him, his finest
warriors took up their weapons. The battle inside the palace
was brutal. Swords clashed, men screamed, and blood spattered the
marble floors. Saul's men overpowered the Amalekite warriors, disarming them
(16:15):
and pinning them to the walls with their own spears.
And then only a Gag remained. The warlord King snarled,
raising his sword. He moved fast, too fast for a
man burdened with armor. He went straight for Saul's throat.
Steel met Steel. Saw parried Agag's first strike. Agag returned
(16:38):
with a side swipe. Saul jolted back, then burst forward
with his shield. Agag met Saw's advanced with an aggressive
onsought of blows from his broadsword. Saul's shields splintered as
he stumbled back.
Speaker 5 (16:53):
All that glittering armor, your steal nothing a message.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
Saul snarled, rolled to the side and swiped his sword
to the side carving a line across a GAG's ankles.
The Amalekite king stumbled, collapsing to his knees. Saul pressed
his sword to the man's throat.
Speaker 5 (17:16):
Ha ha, do it cut me down and be done
with it.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
A Gag spat in Saul's face. Saul's eyes darkened. Agag grinned, unbroken.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
You conquered my I don't think that makes you a change.
Your stepch of a country will burn under a mightier
and more noble army.
Speaker 8 (17:43):
Your name will be forgot.
Speaker 4 (17:47):
No one will sasid King.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Saul grabbed a Gag by the hair, wrenching his head
back so their eyes met you.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
No, my glory, you will watch it rise before your
very eyes.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Then he threw the Amalekite king to the ground.
Speaker 9 (18:14):
Bind him and take everything I want, all his treasures
and prized possessions.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
Your reign will be eclipsed by mine.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
Agag Stripping the palace of gold, silver and fine cloth,
they took the best livestock, the healthiest oxen, and sheep.
Saul walked through the burning city, surrounded by his treasures,
agag in ropes, wealth in carts, and men chanting his name.
(18:44):
The conqueror had returned home. The streets of Israel were
filled with celebration. As Saul entered the city in a
stolen chariot. The people lined the roads, throwing flowers at
his feet. Music ran from every house. Women sang his
(19:05):
name in the market place. Saul paraded agag through the
streets like a dog on a leash, his prize for
all to see. Children ran beside the chariot, laughing and pointing.
Their fathers raised their cups in his honor. At last,
Israel had what it had always wanted, a king who
(19:27):
could conquer, a king who could expand their borders. Saul
drank it in, the praise, washing over him like sweet wine.
That night, the halls of Gibeah were alive with revelry.
The nobility of Israel filled the palace, feasting on the
spoils of war. Meat roasted over open flames, filling the
(19:50):
air with its rich scent. The wine flowed endlessly, poured
into golden goblets, and passed around without restraintis played, filling
the halls with music. Dancers swayed between the silver lampstands,
their bodies twisting in rhythm. Laughter echoed from every corner,
(20:11):
and at the center of it all Saul. He lounged
on his throne, a cup in his hand, his face
flushed with drink. He watched it all, the wealth, the feasting,
the celebration, and at his feet, still bound sat Agag,
the Amalekite king, once proud, who was now stripped of
(20:34):
his kingdom, his freedom, and his power. Saul, with women
lounging on his lap and wine spilling from his cup, shouted.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
To victory, to the kingdom, the greatness.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
The room erupted in cheers, the music swelled, the wine poured,
and Saul, King of Israel, basked in the glory of
his conquest. For he had done what was right in
his eyes, but in all his exploits he had forgotten
the lord's commands. Miles from the flickering torchlight of Saul's palace,
(21:16):
beneath a sky thick with cold stars, Samuel sat alone.
The night air carried whispers rustling through the valley. Samuel listened,
his old eyes shut against the wind, and then, amidst
the silence, a voice.
Speaker 8 (21:35):
I regret that I have made Saul king. He has
turned his back to me, he has pursued his old
glory instead of mine.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
Samuel bowed his head, his hands gripping his staff. A
bitter grief took root in his chest. He had known
this day would come. He had warned the people.
Speaker 8 (21:59):
They as frick.
Speaker 5 (22:01):
And the king they got.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
Samuel had seen flashes of goodness in saw glimmers of
humility that shone through the cracks of his arrogance. But
pride had taken root in him, like weeds in an
untended field. Samuel fell to his knees and wept. The
wind howled, drowning out the sound.
Speaker 8 (22:24):
Of his sorrow.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
His tears hit the frozen earth and turned to frost.
He did not take joy in being right. He only
mourned that he was. The Lord had spoken, and Samuel
knew what must be done. He had to go and
reject the king of Israel. Samuel rode through the town
(22:47):
of Carmel as the first light of dawn began to
break over the hills. The air was crisp, and the
hush of mourning calmed his heart. But as he passed
through the city, gates saw something that stopped him cold.
A monument. It stood tall, hewn from clay and stone,
bathed in the soft glow of the morning sun at
(23:11):
its base, a gilded inscription to the glory of King Saul.
Samuel's lips pressed into a hard line, his heart, which
had been heavy with grief, now burned with fury. This
was what Saul had done with his victory. The battle
had not been fought for God. It had been fought
(23:33):
for himself. Saul had become his own idol, a golden
car for the people to bow before. Samuel's jaw clenched
as he kicked his donkey forward. He would deal with
the false king soon enough. The doors to Saul's palace
creaked open. The stench of spilled wines, sweat, and indulgence
(23:56):
filled Samuel's nostrils. The throne room was littered with bodies,
Nobles and warriors alike, slumped against the walls, unconscious from
a night of feasting. Some still clutched goblets in their
sleeping hands. The embers of a dying fire cast flickering
shadows over the scene of debauchery, and at the center
(24:17):
of it all, sprawled upon his throne, lay sore, his
head rested against the arm rest, his crown askew. One
woman lay at his feet, another draped over his lap,
both sleeping soundly. Beside him, bound in rope and bruised
beyond recognition, was a gag from outside. The sound of
(24:41):
livestock filled the air, the lowing of oxen, the bleating
of sheep. Samuel's fury grew slowly, deliberately, he raised his
staff and brought it down upon the iron fire pit.
The coals spilled onto the floor, crashing against the stone
with a loud. The sound sent a ripple of panic
(25:02):
through the room. The nobles stirred, were startled awake, and
blinked in confusion. Saul awoke with a start, his hands
instinctively reaching for his sword. He saw Samuel standing in
the center of the throne room, his eyes dark with judgment.
The women at his side scrambled away, sensing the weight
(25:23):
of the moment. The murmuring nobles followed suit, filing out
in silence. Saul adjusted his crown, straightened his tunic, and
forced a smile. He spread his arms wide in greeting,
his voice warm and confidant.
Speaker 9 (25:40):
Blessed be the name of the Lord Samuel. I have
done what was asked of me. The Amalekites are slain.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
Samuel did not move. His gaze swept over the room,
the drunken nobles, the bound Amalekite king, and the stolen
livestock outside. And then at last, his eyes locked onto Saul's.
Speaker 3 (26:03):
And why do I hear the bleating of sheep and
the lowing of oxen outside?
Speaker 2 (26:10):
The king hesitated for only a moment before recovering his smile.
Speaker 9 (26:14):
Ah ah, the people brought them. They spared only the
best of the flocks for sacrifice, of course, to honor
the Lord. The rest was burnt to ash.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
Just as he commanded, Saul's grin widened, as if fishing
for Samuel's approval. Samuel gave nothing, Saul continued in a
flustered tone.
Speaker 9 (26:36):
In fact, I was just about to prepare everything for
you so that you might offer the sacrifice.
Speaker 2 (26:42):
I evenough the word cracked through the room like a whip.
Saul took a step backward, nearly stumbling over the spilled coals.
Samuel advanced, his staff, gripped tightly in his hands, his voice,
now low and steady, cut through the silence.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
Are you so little in your own eyes that you
must claw for more glory? Was it not enough that
the Lord anointed you as King, and he set you
above all the tribes of Israel.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
Saul's smile faded. In its place was the scowl of
a scolded child.
Speaker 8 (27:23):
He sent you on a mission.
Speaker 3 (27:26):
He told you to destroy the sinners who have oppressed
his people. The command was to leave nothing standing and
no one alive. Yet you stand before me, surrounded my
stolen spiles.
Speaker 5 (27:42):
You parayed a.
Speaker 3 (27:43):
Bound king through the streets like a trophy. Tell me, Saul,
why did you disobey the voice of the Lord.
Speaker 2 (27:52):
The false humility vanished. Saul straightened his shoulders, his jaw tightening,
His chest rose and fell, anger flaring in his eyes.
I have oh made, his voice rang through the chamber,
his fury barely restrained.
Speaker 6 (28:14):
I marched forth and conquered Amelek. I devoted their cities
to distruction. I brought Agag here to show our victory.
The people took the spoils. Yes, but only for sacrifice.
Speaker 5 (28:28):
I've done nothing wrong.
Speaker 3 (28:29):
You want to be a king when it suits you,
But it's time to take responsibility. It's the people who
have failed, not you.
Speaker 6 (28:38):
How convenient, I had every intention of sacrificing to the Lord.
Speaker 3 (28:44):
Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings? Over obedience.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
Samuel crushed a smoldering coal beneath his staff, grinding it
into the stone.
Speaker 3 (28:55):
The barian is just a sin of witchcraft, stubbornness is.
Speaker 5 (28:59):
I don't your heart matter?
Speaker 3 (29:02):
Saul? Who cares what offering you give? If in your
heart the worship belongs to you and not the Lord?
Speaker 9 (29:11):
You can't see everything. You can't see my heart.
Speaker 3 (29:16):
The Lord can he seese you soul. For all your strength,
height and stature, you are a pathetic, weak, small little man.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
Samuel turned, walking toward the throne. He grabbed the fine
purple cloth draped over it and flung it to the ground.
Speaker 3 (29:39):
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he
has rejected you as king.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
Saul's breath caught in his throat. Now the anger drained
from the king's face, replaced with something raw.
Speaker 4 (29:57):
Samuel, Please, I I have I have sinned. I feared
the people I listen. I listened to them instead of God.
But it was not my will. Please, oh, pardon, my
pardon my sin. Return with me. Let me worship before
the Lord.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
A chuckle from the corner of the room. Agag smirked
from his ropes, his mouth bloody and broken, liar. Samuel
ignored a Gag and turned his back on Sore.
Speaker 5 (30:33):
I will not go with you.
Speaker 2 (30:36):
Saul's hands trembled. He lunged forward, grabbing Samuel's robe. The
fabric taw Samuel stopped slowly. He turned, looking down at
the strip of cloth in Saul's hands.
Speaker 3 (30:51):
As you have torn my robe.
Speaker 5 (30:54):
So the Lord has torn the kingdom from you.
Speaker 3 (30:57):
He will have it to another. The Lord has already
chosen him. Here is a man that seeks after the
heart of God more than the heart of the people.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
Saul fell to his knees, and from across the room,
Agag laughed again. Samuel's eyes darkened. Samuel turned to the
gods in attendance, bring that wretch to me. A Gag
was dragged forward. The Amalekite king smiled, ah Su.
Speaker 5 (31:32):
The real king of Israel. News, let's reason together, old man.
Surely the bitterness of death is asked, and we can
come to an agreat clock.
Speaker 2 (31:45):
Samuel drove his staff into a GAG's gut. He then
turned and took Saul's sword from his sheath.
Speaker 3 (31:53):
My point, king at all, if he won't deal out justice.
Speaker 2 (32:02):
Samuel pressed one foot on Agag's chest. Then swung downward.
The old prophet hacked away at the Amalekite king. He
swung and swung. It took several thrusts of the sword,
but Agag finally perished and was cut to pieces. The
room was silent but for the dripping of blood. Samuel
(32:26):
dropped the sword. The clang echoed against the silent halls,
and without a word, he turned and walked away. He
would never see Saul again.
Speaker 7 (32:42):
What a story. The tension, the heartbreak, the slow unraveling
of a leader who once stood tall both literally and spiritually.
It's not easy to watch someone slip from favor, especially
when God himself chose that someone. There's a tragic irony here,
do you feel it? The king who began his reign
(33:05):
with humility ends this episode with the brittle, fractured art,
and we're left holding our breath, waiting to see if
the threads of hope will unravel entirely, or if grace
might still find a way. The tribe which Samuel ordered
Saul to eliminate, the tribe which the Bible commanded Saul
(33:27):
to eliminate, Amalek, was the tribe that had attacked the
Chosen People right after they had left Egypt right when
the Israelites were most tired, when they were most vulnerable,
and the attack was for absolutely no reason at all
other than the wish to destroy God's people. Throughout the ages,
Amalek has been seen as the prototype of anti Semitism,
(33:51):
all those people throughout history who have hated the Jews
and tried to destroy them for no reason at all. So, Saul,
you made a mistake. He had mercy on Agag, the
king of Amalik, despite God's command. And now I want
(34:11):
to share a teaching from Jewish tradition with you about
this very story, because it's so important. We feel the
ramifications of this mistake still today. Tradition teaches us that
on this very same night that Saul spared the king
of Amalik, Agag sired child with his wife, and this
child allowed the tribe of Amalik and his hatred of
(34:34):
the Jewish people to continue throughout the ages. In the
Book of Esther, which we read on the Holiday of Perim,
the wicked Hayman vows to destroy all of the Jews
exiled to the Persian Empire of that time, also for
no reason. In the Book of Esther, we find this
villain described as Hayman, the son of Hamadetha, the Agagite.
(34:59):
That means he's the direct descendant of agag the very
king of Amalik, who Saul spared. The Jewish ages see
Amalik and its descendants, both its spiritual and its actual descendants,
as the embodiment of pure evil, a level of evil
(35:19):
that must not be allowed to exist in the world.
When I see the anti Semitism that has exploded around
the world since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October seventh,
twenty twenty three, I can't help but think of Saul
and his fatal error. In today's story, this is the
(35:40):
remnants of Amalik. Those people who hate the Jewish people
simply because we're Jewish or sagees say something very wise.
They say, one who becomes compassionate to the cruel will
ultimately become cruel to the compassionate. The International Fellowship of
Christians and Choose, the organization that I lead, is committed
(36:04):
to fighting this new anti Semitism, which is as old
as Amalik in today's story, just as deeply as we
are to being compassionate to the needy who depend on us.
Every day, when I feed the hungry here in Israel,
when I clothe the naked, when I bring elderly food boxes,
and I go and volunteer and fellowship soup kitchens, when
(36:28):
I go and place bomb shelters for children outside of
their schools, and I tell them this is because of
the love of Christians around the world. This is the
love that is the answer and the antidote to the
wicked amalik that wants to destroy us both. Let's return
(36:48):
to the heart of the story obedience. Saul disobeys because
he trusts his own ego more than God's command. He
thinks he can improve upon God's plan. It's practical, it's sensible,
and it makes perfect human sense. But that's the problem.
God's commands aren't always practical. In fact, they seem to
(37:11):
be counterintuitive. But obedience isn't about pragmatism. It's about trust,
trust in a God whose ways are higher than ours,
whose vision extends far beyond the horizon of what we
can see. This story forces us to confront a difficult truth.
Partial obedience is still disobedience, and disobedience carries consequences, not
(37:37):
because God is petty, but because every act of rebellion
against our creator is an act of rebellion against life itself.
What do we do with this story like this? Remember,
God's ultimate goal is restoration. Every act of judgment in
the Hebrew Bible serves the purpose of preserving the chosen people.
(38:00):
The story found in First Samuel fifteen isn't just about rejection.
It's about redemption through God's grace. And so, just like
we always ask together, what does this Bible story mean
for us today? I think it means that we don't
have to fear the hard edges of scripture. We can
wrestle with them, question them, and even struggle to understand them.
(38:24):
Because the God who commanded justice in the days of
Samuel is the same God who offers grace to us today.
Today's story, my friends, is a call to examine our
own hearts. Are there places where we are holding back
from full obedience? Are there areas where we are trying
to improve upon God's commands instead of trusting his wisdom.
(38:48):
God isn't looking for perfect people, but he is looking
for people who are willing to listen, to trust, and
to follow. And when we fail his mercy, his love, well,
it's always there to meet us, as the Prophet Meeka
reminds us, he has shown you, oh mortal, what is
(39:09):
good and what does the Lord require of you? To
act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with
your God.
Speaker 2 (39:20):
You can listen to the Chosen People with Isle Eckstein
ad free by downloading and subscribing to the prey dot
Com app today. This Prey dog comproduction is only made
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(39:43):
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(40:04):
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To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is
better than the fat of rams. First Samuel fifteen twenty two.
Holy God, your voice speaks clearly through the ages. You
call us to obedience, not out of harshness, but out
(00:23):
of love. Yet so often we choose our own way.
We let fear, pride, and self interest drown out your words.
Oh forgive us, Father, for the times we have heard
but not listened, for the times we have obeyed half way,
(00:45):
believing that was enough. We ask for your mercy to
fill the cracks in our imperfect hearts. Give us ears
to hear, hearts to trust, and hands to act in
faithful obedience. Shape us into people who delight in your
(01:07):
commands and walk in your ways. And when we falter,
remind us that your grace is not just a safety net,
but a call to something greater than Your faithfulness. Renew us,
strengthen us, and lead us in paths of righteousness. Amen,
(01:37):
thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to
the Chosen People with y l xteen. Remain here for
a dramatic story inspired by the Bible. Be sure to
follow this podcast so you never miss an episode.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Previously on the chosen people.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
I suppose it's settled. Then lo the king you beg for,
he spears, he's grand and well, I'm sure nothing could
possibly go wrong. Let's coronate this young man before the
Lord and the people at guild.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
The people need to see me with the favor of God.
They need to know I am anointed.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
If they do not see the sacrifice, they will run.
Speaker 4 (02:36):
They will believe me as a king.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Without a king.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
What have you done? Oh?
Speaker 5 (02:45):
Come now, said you're so big, Neil.
Speaker 4 (02:47):
My people needed a bit of encouragement as their king.
Speaker 5 (02:52):
I think they are your people.
Speaker 4 (02:54):
Of course, people say not yours.
Speaker 6 (02:59):
You does defy their king, who has cursed this battle.
I will slaughter the guilty man where he stands, even
if it is my own son.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
The soldiers stepped back. The young prince stood alone. Saul
drew back, his arm, blade cocked and ready to drive
into Jonathan's throat, but the men surged forward. Each man
rallied to Jonathan's side, eventually surrounding their king, ready to pounce,
(03:34):
and Saul, in his solitude, felt the weight of God's
absence heavier than ever before.
Speaker 7 (03:45):
A crown can weigh more than a chain, especially when
pride is factored in shell. O, my friends from here
in the holy land of Israel, i'm l extein with
international fellowship of Christians and Jews, and welcome the Chosen People.
This story begins with the echoes of ancient battles and
the weight of a crown, a fragile crowned, precariously balanced
(04:10):
on a restless head. The Chosen people wanted a king,
and they got one. A tall man, a strong man,
from the smallest of Israel's tribes. Saul was chosen. But
who chose him? Was it God? Or was it the
impatient people of Israel? In First Samuel fifteen, we are
thrust into a moment in which obedience to the voice
(04:32):
of God will be tested against the murmurings of a
restless heart. What happens when one chosen person to lead
is rejected? What does it mean to be rejected by God?
Speaker 4 (04:47):
And?
Speaker 7 (04:47):
More hauntingly, is rejection the end? Or is it the
beginning of something perhaps even worse?
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Blood fell like rain. Saul stood in the heart of
the battlefield, his golden armor now painted in deep crimson.
He wrenched his sword from a Moabite's chest, his breath
coming in short ragged gasps. The man collapsed at his feet,
joining the heap of bodies that littered the ground. A
(05:20):
slight smile escaped his lips. There was a fire in
his eyes, wild and unrelenting. Another victory, another nation humbled
beneath his blade. But it was not enough. It was
never enough. The King of Israel had become a creature
of war. He waged battle like a starving man, consuming
(05:44):
everything in his path, yet never feeling full. The Moabites
had fallen, but there were always more enemies, the Ammonites,
the Edomites, the kings of Zoba. He chased them all,
striking and cutting, but never conquering. His armies clashed steel
against steel, but his victories were shallow. His hands clenched
(06:07):
the crown, but it was never truly his. There was
no peace in war, but neither was their peace in stillness.
Saul was a tortured soul. After his campaign against the Edomites,
Saul returned to his fortress in Gibea. The palace was
(06:28):
a monument to his reign. Great tapestries told stories of
his battles. Silver lamp stands flickered along the walls, and
the air was thick with the scent of burning cedar wood.
His throne, carved from the finest trees of Lebanon, was
draped in furs and purple linens. It was a king's seat,
(06:50):
and yet he sat in it like a prisoner. The
fire in the hearth crackled, its glow, casting long shadows
across the chamber. Saul slouched forward, his elbows resting on
his knees, his hands clasped. His body was weary from battle,
but his mind raced, restless and unfulfilled. He had slain
(07:14):
countless men, expanded the borders of his kingdom, and fathered
strong sons, but still something gnawed did his soul. He
had sought victory but found only emptiness. He had sought
glory but found only blood. And worst of all, God
was silent. The Lord whose spirit had once rested upon
(07:38):
him had turned his face away. Saul could feel it
like a void in his chest. He had ruled without
God's strength for years now, and the weight of the
crown was beginning to crush him. He needed purpose, he
needed direction. He needed to hear God's voice. The great
(07:59):
door of the hall groaned as they opened, letting in
the light from outside. A lone figure entered, silhouetted against
the firelight. The guards did not stop him. They knew
who he was. The man limped forward, leaning heavily on
his staff. Saul's breath caught in his throat. He recognized
(08:21):
that staff, that gait, that hooded figure.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
Samuel, is that you?
Speaker 2 (08:29):
The old prophet moved without haste, settling himself near the fire.
He did not speak. He simply beckoned with his hand, wordlessly,
summoning Saul forward. The King of Israel rose from his
throne and fell to his knees before the prophet. His
fingers clutched at Samuel's robe, pressing his forehead against the fabric.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
Ugh, I've I thought you left me forever.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
And then without worn he broke a great sob racked
his chest. The sound of it filled the halls, echoing
off the stone. His whole body shook with the weight
of his sorrow. Samuel said nothing, He only placed a
gnarled hand atop the king's head. The touch was gentle, pitying.
(09:21):
Saul wept like a child. For all his might, for
all his victories, for all his golden armor and sharp
edged swords, he was a lost man, and he knew it.
A silence stretched between them, thick as the smoke curling
from the fire. And then at last Samuel spoke.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
You are still king of Israel, are you not.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Saul swallowed, nodding weakly. Samuel exhaled the breath slow and
measured his voice. When it came was like the groaning
of old wood.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
The Lord has sent me to anoint you for this
next battle. He has not forgotten the sins of Amelek.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
At the name, Saul lifted his head, blinking away the
last remnants of his grief.
Speaker 4 (10:18):
The Malakites.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
Long ago, when your ancestors fled from Egypt, Amelek struck
them in their weakness. They ambushed Israel without cause, slaughtering.
Speaker 8 (10:33):
The weary in the weak.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
They have been a curse upon this land for generations.
They are the first of our enemies. They hate our
people without cause, and they slaughter our people without mercy.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
The old prophet leaned forward, his voice taking on the
cadence of judgment.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Thus says the Lord, I will pana Shamelk for what
he did Israel iron wipe his name from the earth.
Go now, Saul, and destroy them motterly, leave none alive,
Take no captives, take no spoils, burn it all.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
Saul met Samuel's gaze, searching for something, perhaps a sign
of softness, some room for mercy. He found none, but
Samuel's eyes were hard as stone.
Speaker 4 (11:33):
Finally, for the Lord has spoken to me, I will
do it. I will show you that I'm still meant
to be king.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Saul pressed his lips to Samuel's hand, bowing in reverence. Then,
without another word, he rose and strode from the hall,
his mind already turning to the battle ahead. The order
was given, the war horns sounded, the men gathered. Saul
would ride for Amelek, and this time he would not fail.
(12:08):
The morning sun blazed over the valleys of Telaeen, casting
golden fire over the ranks of Israel's great host. Two
hundred thousand men stood shoulder to shoulder, armed with iron
and clothed in bronze. The sight of them stretched to
the horizon, a tide of steel waiting to break at
(12:30):
their head. Clad in shining armor, stood sore, his breastplate
caught the sunlight, his great sword gleamed at his hip,
and his helm, crested with a plume of dyed horsehair,
marked him unmistakably as the king of Israel, a king
of war. He raised his hand, and the murmuring of
(12:52):
the men fell silent. The only sound was the wind
rolling over the hills.
Speaker 9 (12:59):
Send word to the Kenites. They have shown kindness to
our fathers. Let them flee before we strike.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
The messengers rode out in the villages of the Kennyites.
The words spread quickly, leave or perish, and so they fled,
the wise among them, vanishing into the hills, leaving the
Amalekites to their fate. Saul watched them go, his expression unreadable.
The mercy of a king was a precious thing. It
(13:31):
made the men love him all the more. When the
last of the Kenites disappeared, Saul turned back to his army.
He unsheathed his sword and lifted it high into the air.
The sun kissed the blade, and the men roared as one.
With a mighty swing of his arm, Saul pointed forward,
(13:52):
add mans, the march to Havilah began. The Amalekites were
ready for them. Agag, their warlord king, had gathered his
fighters at the northern gate. Their banners snapped in the wind,
their weapons glinting. They would not fall without a fight,
(14:13):
but Saul had already seen through their plan, even as
a gag prepared his forces at the gate. Half of
Israel's army had already broken away, circling the western border.
The Amalekites thought they were holding the line until the
second wave of Israelites struck their flank, like a storm
(14:34):
crashing against a ship. The battle was swift. The warriors
of Israel poured into the streets, their swords swinging through
the air. Amalekite men fell, screaming. Blood ran through the
city's gutters. From Havila to shore. The oppressors of Israel
were torn apart. Saul had never known such a conquest.
(15:00):
Saul strode through the wreckage of Havila. He saw Amalekites
weep and wail before him, their voices roar with terror.
They knew his name, they knew his sword. This was
what it meant to be feared to be great. His
soldiers cut down the last of the Amalekite resistance, and
(15:23):
Saul led a company of his best men to the palace.
The doors were barred, but Saul was a mountain of
a man. He lifted his leg and drove it forward.
The woods splintered and the gates burst open. Inside, Agag
stood waiting.
Speaker 5 (15:41):
King Saul, not sending your son this time to do
your dirty work.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
The Amalekite king was no coward. He gripped his sword tightly,
his dark eyes burning with hatred. Around him, his finest
warriors took up their weapons. The battle inside the palace
was brutal. Swords clashed, men screamed, and blood spattered the
marble floors. Saul's men overpowered the Amalekite warriors, disarming them
(16:15):
and pinning them to the walls with their own spears.
And then only a Gag remained. The warlord King snarled,
raising his sword. He moved fast, too fast for a
man burdened with armor. He went straight for Saul's throat.
Steel met Steel. Saw parried Agag's first strike. Agag returned
(16:38):
with a side swipe. Saul jolted back, then burst forward
with his shield. Agag met Saw's advanced with an aggressive
onsought of blows from his broadsword. Saul's shields splintered as
he stumbled back.
Speaker 5 (16:53):
All that glittering armor, your steal nothing a message.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
Saul snarled, rolled to the side and swiped his sword
to the side carving a line across a GAG's ankles.
The Amalekite king stumbled, collapsing to his knees. Saul pressed
his sword to the man's throat.
Speaker 5 (17:16):
Ha ha, do it cut me down and be done
with it.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
A Gag spat in Saul's face. Saul's eyes darkened. Agag grinned, unbroken.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
You conquered my I don't think that makes you a change.
Your stepch of a country will burn under a mightier
and more noble army.
Speaker 8 (17:43):
Your name will be forgot.
Speaker 4 (17:47):
No one will sasid King.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Saul grabbed a Gag by the hair, wrenching his head
back so their eyes met you.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
No, my glory, you will watch it rise before your
very eyes.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Then he threw the Amalekite king to the ground.
Speaker 9 (18:14):
Bind him and take everything I want, all his treasures
and prized possessions.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
Your reign will be eclipsed by mine.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
Agag Stripping the palace of gold, silver and fine cloth,
they took the best livestock, the healthiest oxen, and sheep.
Saul walked through the burning city, surrounded by his treasures,
agag in ropes, wealth in carts, and men chanting his name.
(18:44):
The conqueror had returned home. The streets of Israel were
filled with celebration. As Saul entered the city in a
stolen chariot. The people lined the roads, throwing flowers at
his feet. Music ran from every house. Women sang his
(19:05):
name in the market place. Saul paraded agag through the
streets like a dog on a leash, his prize for
all to see. Children ran beside the chariot, laughing and pointing.
Their fathers raised their cups in his honor. At last,
Israel had what it had always wanted, a king who
(19:27):
could conquer, a king who could expand their borders. Saul
drank it in, the praise, washing over him like sweet wine.
That night, the halls of Gibeah were alive with revelry.
The nobility of Israel filled the palace, feasting on the
spoils of war. Meat roasted over open flames, filling the
(19:50):
air with its rich scent. The wine flowed endlessly, poured
into golden goblets, and passed around without restraintis played, filling
the halls with music. Dancers swayed between the silver lampstands,
their bodies twisting in rhythm. Laughter echoed from every corner,
(20:11):
and at the center of it all Saul. He lounged
on his throne, a cup in his hand, his face
flushed with drink. He watched it all, the wealth, the feasting,
the celebration, and at his feet, still bound sat Agag,
the Amalekite king, once proud, who was now stripped of
(20:34):
his kingdom, his freedom, and his power. Saul, with women
lounging on his lap and wine spilling from his cup, shouted.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
To victory, to the kingdom, the greatness.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
The room erupted in cheers, the music swelled, the wine poured,
and Saul, King of Israel, basked in the glory of
his conquest. For he had done what was right in
his eyes, but in all his exploits he had forgotten
the lord's commands. Miles from the flickering torchlight of Saul's palace,
(21:16):
beneath a sky thick with cold stars, Samuel sat alone.
The night air carried whispers rustling through the valley. Samuel listened,
his old eyes shut against the wind, and then, amidst
the silence, a voice.
Speaker 8 (21:35):
I regret that I have made Saul king. He has
turned his back to me, he has pursued his old
glory instead of mine.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
Samuel bowed his head, his hands gripping his staff. A
bitter grief took root in his chest. He had known
this day would come. He had warned the people.
Speaker 8 (21:59):
They as frick.
Speaker 5 (22:01):
And the king they got.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
Samuel had seen flashes of goodness in saw glimmers of
humility that shone through the cracks of his arrogance. But
pride had taken root in him, like weeds in an
untended field. Samuel fell to his knees and wept. The
wind howled, drowning out the sound.
Speaker 8 (22:24):
Of his sorrow.
Speaker 2 (22:25):
His tears hit the frozen earth and turned to frost.
He did not take joy in being right. He only
mourned that he was. The Lord had spoken, and Samuel
knew what must be done. He had to go and
reject the king of Israel. Samuel rode through the town
(22:47):
of Carmel as the first light of dawn began to
break over the hills. The air was crisp, and the
hush of mourning calmed his heart. But as he passed
through the city, gates saw something that stopped him cold.
A monument. It stood tall, hewn from clay and stone,
bathed in the soft glow of the morning sun at
(23:11):
its base, a gilded inscription to the glory of King Saul.
Samuel's lips pressed into a hard line, his heart, which
had been heavy with grief, now burned with fury. This
was what Saul had done with his victory. The battle
had not been fought for God. It had been fought
(23:33):
for himself. Saul had become his own idol, a golden
car for the people to bow before. Samuel's jaw clenched
as he kicked his donkey forward. He would deal with
the false king soon enough. The doors to Saul's palace
creaked open. The stench of spilled wines, sweat, and indulgence
(23:56):
filled Samuel's nostrils. The throne room was littered with bodies,
Nobles and warriors alike, slumped against the walls, unconscious from
a night of feasting. Some still clutched goblets in their
sleeping hands. The embers of a dying fire cast flickering
shadows over the scene of debauchery, and at the center
(24:17):
of it all, sprawled upon his throne, lay sore, his
head rested against the arm rest, his crown askew. One
woman lay at his feet, another draped over his lap,
both sleeping soundly. Beside him, bound in rope and bruised
beyond recognition, was a gag from outside. The sound of
(24:41):
livestock filled the air, the lowing of oxen, the bleating
of sheep. Samuel's fury grew slowly, deliberately, he raised his
staff and brought it down upon the iron fire pit.
The coals spilled onto the floor, crashing against the stone
with a loud. The sound sent a ripple of panic
(25:02):
through the room. The nobles stirred, were startled awake, and
blinked in confusion. Saul awoke with a start, his hands
instinctively reaching for his sword. He saw Samuel standing in
the center of the throne room, his eyes dark with judgment.
The women at his side scrambled away, sensing the weight
(25:23):
of the moment. The murmuring nobles followed suit, filing out
in silence. Saul adjusted his crown, straightened his tunic, and
forced a smile. He spread his arms wide in greeting,
his voice warm and confidant.
Speaker 9 (25:40):
Blessed be the name of the Lord Samuel. I have
done what was asked of me. The Amalekites are slain.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
Samuel did not move. His gaze swept over the room,
the drunken nobles, the bound Amalekite king, and the stolen
livestock outside. And then at last, his eyes locked onto Saul's.
Speaker 3 (26:03):
And why do I hear the bleating of sheep and
the lowing of oxen outside?
Speaker 2 (26:10):
The king hesitated for only a moment before recovering his smile.
Speaker 9 (26:14):
Ah ah, the people brought them. They spared only the
best of the flocks for sacrifice, of course, to honor
the Lord. The rest was burnt to ash.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
Just as he commanded, Saul's grin widened, as if fishing
for Samuel's approval. Samuel gave nothing, Saul continued in a
flustered tone.
Speaker 9 (26:36):
In fact, I was just about to prepare everything for
you so that you might offer the sacrifice.
Speaker 2 (26:42):
I evenough the word cracked through the room like a whip.
Saul took a step backward, nearly stumbling over the spilled coals.
Samuel advanced, his staff, gripped tightly in his hands, his voice,
now low and steady, cut through the silence.
Speaker 3 (27:02):
Are you so little in your own eyes that you
must claw for more glory? Was it not enough that
the Lord anointed you as King, and he set you
above all the tribes of Israel.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
Saul's smile faded. In its place was the scowl of
a scolded child.
Speaker 8 (27:23):
He sent you on a mission.
Speaker 3 (27:26):
He told you to destroy the sinners who have oppressed
his people. The command was to leave nothing standing and
no one alive. Yet you stand before me, surrounded my
stolen spiles.
Speaker 5 (27:42):
You parayed a.
Speaker 3 (27:43):
Bound king through the streets like a trophy. Tell me, Saul,
why did you disobey the voice of the Lord.
Speaker 2 (27:52):
The false humility vanished. Saul straightened his shoulders, his jaw tightening,
His chest rose and fell, anger flaring in his eyes.
I have oh made, his voice rang through the chamber,
his fury barely restrained.
Speaker 6 (28:14):
I marched forth and conquered Amelek. I devoted their cities
to distruction. I brought Agag here to show our victory.
The people took the spoils. Yes, but only for sacrifice.
Speaker 5 (28:28):
I've done nothing wrong.
Speaker 3 (28:29):
You want to be a king when it suits you,
But it's time to take responsibility. It's the people who
have failed, not you.
Speaker 6 (28:38):
How convenient, I had every intention of sacrificing to the Lord.
Speaker 3 (28:44):
Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings? Over obedience.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
Samuel crushed a smoldering coal beneath his staff, grinding it
into the stone.
Speaker 3 (28:55):
The barian is just a sin of witchcraft, stubbornness is.
Speaker 5 (28:59):
I don't your heart matter?
Speaker 3 (29:02):
Saul? Who cares what offering you give? If in your
heart the worship belongs to you and not the Lord?
Speaker 9 (29:11):
You can't see everything. You can't see my heart.
Speaker 3 (29:16):
The Lord can he seese you soul. For all your strength,
height and stature, you are a pathetic, weak, small little man.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
Samuel turned, walking toward the throne. He grabbed the fine
purple cloth draped over it and flung it to the ground.
Speaker 3 (29:39):
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he
has rejected you as king.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
Saul's breath caught in his throat. Now the anger drained
from the king's face, replaced with something raw.
Speaker 4 (29:57):
Samuel, Please, I I have I have sinned. I feared
the people I listen. I listened to them instead of God.
But it was not my will. Please, oh, pardon, my
pardon my sin. Return with me. Let me worship before
the Lord.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
A chuckle from the corner of the room. Agag smirked
from his ropes, his mouth bloody and broken, liar. Samuel
ignored a Gag and turned his back on Sore.
Speaker 5 (30:33):
I will not go with you.
Speaker 2 (30:36):
Saul's hands trembled. He lunged forward, grabbing Samuel's robe. The
fabric taw Samuel stopped slowly. He turned, looking down at
the strip of cloth in Saul's hands.
Speaker 3 (30:51):
As you have torn my robe.
Speaker 5 (30:54):
So the Lord has torn the kingdom from you.
Speaker 3 (30:57):
He will have it to another. The Lord has already
chosen him. Here is a man that seeks after the
heart of God more than the heart of the people.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
Saul fell to his knees, and from across the room,
Agag laughed again. Samuel's eyes darkened. Samuel turned to the
gods in attendance, bring that wretch to me. A Gag
was dragged forward. The Amalekite king smiled, ah Su.
Speaker 5 (31:32):
The real king of Israel. News, let's reason together, old man.
Surely the bitterness of death is asked, and we can
come to an agreat clock.
Speaker 2 (31:45):
Samuel drove his staff into a GAG's gut. He then
turned and took Saul's sword from his sheath.
Speaker 3 (31:53):
My point, king at all, if he won't deal out justice.
Speaker 2 (32:02):
Samuel pressed one foot on Agag's chest. Then swung downward.
The old prophet hacked away at the Amalekite king. He
swung and swung. It took several thrusts of the sword,
but Agag finally perished and was cut to pieces. The
room was silent but for the dripping of blood. Samuel
(32:26):
dropped the sword. The clang echoed against the silent halls,
and without a word, he turned and walked away. He
would never see Saul again.
Speaker 7 (32:42):
What a story. The tension, the heartbreak, the slow unraveling
of a leader who once stood tall both literally and spiritually.
It's not easy to watch someone slip from favor, especially
when God himself chose that someone. There's a tragic irony here,
do you feel it? The king who began his reign
(33:05):
with humility ends this episode with the brittle, fractured art,
and we're left holding our breath, waiting to see if
the threads of hope will unravel entirely, or if grace
might still find a way. The tribe which Samuel ordered
Saul to eliminate, the tribe which the Bible commanded Saul
(33:27):
to eliminate, Amalek, was the tribe that had attacked the
Chosen People right after they had left Egypt right when
the Israelites were most tired, when they were most vulnerable,
and the attack was for absolutely no reason at all
other than the wish to destroy God's people. Throughout the ages,
Amalek has been seen as the prototype of anti Semitism,
(33:51):
all those people throughout history who have hated the Jews
and tried to destroy them for no reason at all. So, Saul,
you made a mistake. He had mercy on Agag, the
king of Amalik, despite God's command. And now I want
(34:11):
to share a teaching from Jewish tradition with you about
this very story, because it's so important. We feel the
ramifications of this mistake still today. Tradition teaches us that
on this very same night that Saul spared the king
of Amalik, Agag sired child with his wife, and this
child allowed the tribe of Amalik and his hatred of
(34:34):
the Jewish people to continue throughout the ages. In the
Book of Esther, which we read on the Holiday of Perim,
the wicked Hayman vows to destroy all of the Jews
exiled to the Persian Empire of that time, also for
no reason. In the Book of Esther, we find this
villain described as Hayman, the son of Hamadetha, the Agagite.
(34:59):
That means he's the direct descendant of agag the very
king of Amalik, who Saul spared. The Jewish ages see
Amalik and its descendants, both its spiritual and its actual descendants,
as the embodiment of pure evil, a level of evil
(35:19):
that must not be allowed to exist in the world.
When I see the anti Semitism that has exploded around
the world since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October seventh,
twenty twenty three, I can't help but think of Saul
and his fatal error. In today's story, this is the
(35:40):
remnants of Amalik. Those people who hate the Jewish people
simply because we're Jewish or sagees say something very wise.
They say, one who becomes compassionate to the cruel will
ultimately become cruel to the compassionate. The International Fellowship of
Christians and Choose, the organization that I lead, is committed
(36:04):
to fighting this new anti Semitism, which is as old
as Amalik in today's story, just as deeply as we
are to being compassionate to the needy who depend on us.
Every day, when I feed the hungry here in Israel,
when I clothe the naked, when I bring elderly food boxes,
and I go and volunteer and fellowship soup kitchens, when
(36:28):
I go and place bomb shelters for children outside of
their schools, and I tell them this is because of
the love of Christians around the world. This is the
love that is the answer and the antidote to the
wicked amalik that wants to destroy us both. Let's return
(36:48):
to the heart of the story obedience. Saul disobeys because
he trusts his own ego more than God's command. He
thinks he can improve upon God's plan. It's practical, it's sensible,
and it makes perfect human sense. But that's the problem.
God's commands aren't always practical. In fact, they seem to
(37:11):
be counterintuitive. But obedience isn't about pragmatism. It's about trust,
trust in a God whose ways are higher than ours,
whose vision extends far beyond the horizon of what we
can see. This story forces us to confront a difficult truth.
Partial obedience is still disobedience, and disobedience carries consequences, not
(37:37):
because God is petty, but because every act of rebellion
against our creator is an act of rebellion against life itself.
What do we do with this story like this? Remember,
God's ultimate goal is restoration. Every act of judgment in
the Hebrew Bible serves the purpose of preserving the chosen people.
(38:00):
The story found in First Samuel fifteen isn't just about rejection.
It's about redemption through God's grace. And so, just like
we always ask together, what does this Bible story mean
for us today? I think it means that we don't
have to fear the hard edges of scripture. We can
wrestle with them, question them, and even struggle to understand them.
(38:24):
Because the God who commanded justice in the days of
Samuel is the same God who offers grace to us today.
Today's story, my friends, is a call to examine our
own hearts. Are there places where we are holding back
from full obedience? Are there areas where we are trying
to improve upon God's commands instead of trusting his wisdom.
(38:48):
God isn't looking for perfect people, but he is looking
for people who are willing to listen, to trust, and
to follow. And when we fail his mercy, his love, well,
it's always there to meet us, as the Prophet Meeka
reminds us, he has shown you, oh mortal, what is
(39:09):
good and what does the Lord require of you? To
act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with
your God.
Speaker 2 (39:20):
You can listen to the Chosen People with Isle Eckstein
ad free by downloading and subscribing to the prey dot
Com app today. This Prey dog comproduction is only made
possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina,
Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive
producers of the Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, Edited by
(39:43):
Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by
Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwald,
Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland, Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and the opening
prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith,
(40:04):
written by Aaron Salvado, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. Special
thanks to Bishop Paulinier, Robin van Ettin, Kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn
Fuller and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the
Prey dot com app, available on the Apple App Store
and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People
(40:26):
with Yile Eckstein, please rate and leave a review.
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