Conditional Blessings - Samuel And King Saul

“How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you. Had you kept it, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.”

1 Samuel 13:13

Arabian horses go through rigorous obedience training in the Middle Eastern deserts, including a test that seems harsh to people who don’t understand the demands of desert life.

The trainer deprives the horse of water for several days before turning it loose. The thirsty horse naturally runs toward water, but just as it bends down for a drink, the trainer blows his whistle. If the horse has learned obedience, it stops and returns to the trainer. Only when the trainer feels sure that he has the horse’s full obedience does he allow it to go back for a much-needed drink.

Does such training seem cruel to you? If so, remember that a rider on the desert sands of Arabia depends on his horse to obey his every command. His life and that of his horse depend on it.

Just as a Middle Eastern rider depends on his horse’s obedience for survival, our receiving God’s full blessing depends on our obedience. That is where Saul, Israel’s first king, fell flat on his face.

Samuel had given Saul clear instructions as he prepared for battle: “Go ahead to Gilgal and wait for me” (see 1 Samuel 13:8). But Saul didn’t wait for Samuel. Instead, he foolishly decided to play the role of a priest and performed sacrifices in a way that clearly violated God’s law.

This act of disobedience marked the beginning of the end of Saul’s reign. Had Saul kept God’s commandments, the Lord would have established his “kingdom over Israel forever” (1 Samuel 13:13).

God laid out simple conditions for Saul’s blessing, but Saul squandered his chance at greatness because he lacked the courage and wisdom to obey.

The Bible is chock-full of promises for blessing if you obey God’s simple commands. When you live according to his Word, you put yourself in a perfect position to receive all he has for you and your family.