This chapter starts with God's command for Saul to wipe out a group of people. Because this seems so shocking, it can sometimes obscure the main point of this story, which comes out later in the passage. However, that's not to say it's unimportant. Firstly, these were not innocent people being wiped out by a cruel God, this was a group of people who had turned their back on God (despite 300 years of him being "slow to anger") and were getting justice. Even so, we are not supposed to look at this and think "nice one God, give them what they deserve", because we deserve the same! This story should be shocking to us, but no more shocking than the fact that thousands of people will die today without knowing God. This is sin and death close up and whether it takes place with a sword or in your sleep, an eternity of separation from God is terrifying stuff.
Moving on, Saul does not fully obey and gives a load of excuses to Samuel while not seeming to get the point that God will not delight in an offering that resulted from disobeying His command. So Samuel spells it out for him in v22-23. This is what Saul hasn't understood since very early in his reign, that obedience is better than sacrifice. Does Saul really repent in the little exchange that follows? Or are his true motives revealed in v30 when he pleads with Samuel to honour him in front of the elders? Is he just looking after his reputation?
God isn't impressed with my "sacrifices", with the amount of hours I've put in of prayer, or at church. He wants my heart. And where is my heart? Is it broken before him, repenting of sin and experiencing his forgiveness, or is it too concerned with my own reputation?
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