1 Samuel 28:18
Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the Lord, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the Lord done this thing unto thee this day.
1 Samuel 28:18 (KJV)
Context
This verse belongs to the account of Saul, the first king of Israel, seeking guidance from a medium at Endor. Saul had previously disobeyed God’s command by sparing the Amalekite king, Agag, and allowing the people to keep some of the spoils of war. As a result, God had rejected Saul as king and chosen David to be his successor. In 1 Samuel 28, Saul finds himself in a desperate situation as the Philistines gather to fight against Israel. He seeks counsel from the LORD, but God remains silent and does not respond through prophets, dreams, or the Urim and Thummim, the sacred objects used for seeking God’s guidance. In his desperation, Saul turns to the forbidden practice of consulting a medium. When Saul requests the medium to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel, Samuel’s spirit actually appears and delivers a message to him. The verse in question is part of Samuel’s response to Saul.
Meaning
Samuel begins by reprimanding Saul for not obeying the voice of the Lord and for failing to carry out the Lord’s command. God had commanded Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites and their possessions as an act of judgment because of their wickedness (1 Samuel 15:3). However, Saul failed to fully carry out God’s instructions. He spared Agag, the Amalekite king, and allowed the people to keep the best of the livestock. Samuel points out that Saul’s disobedience shows a lack of obedience and reverence for God’s authority. Samuel goes on to say that Saul did not execute God’s fierce wrath upon Amalek. Therefore, as a consequence of Saul’s actions, the LORD had allowed this situation to occur—the dire circumstances that Saul was currently facing.
The phrase “executedst his fierce wrath” indicates that Saul was to be the instrument of God’s judgment on Amalek, but he failed to do so. The consequence, as stated in this verse, is that the LORD has done “this thing” to Saul “this day“—referring to the events of 1 Samuel 28, where Saul, in desperation, consulted a medium at Endor, and Samuel’s spirit pronounced his doom. This verse directly references two prior acts of disobedience by Saul. First, Saul did not obey the voice of the LORD at Gilgal, where he failed to wait for Samuel and offered a sacrifice himself (1 Samuel 13:13-14). This was the first incident for which the kingdom was threatened to be taken from him. Second, Saul did not carry out the LORD’s fierce wrath against Amalek; he spared Agag and the best of the cattle (1 Samuel 15:9), leading to the declaration that the kingdom was torn from him (1 Samuel 15:28).
Biblical connections
The verse highlights the significance of obedience to God’s commands. Saul’s disobedience had serious consequences for himself and his kingdom. God expected Saul to carry out His instructions without compromise, but Saul’s actions revealed a lack of faithfulness and submission to God’s will. It’s important to note that this verse does not imply that God directly caused Saul’s current situation. Rather, it suggests that God allowed the consequences of Saul’s disobedience to take their course. God’s judgment upon Saul was a result of his own choices and actions.
Application
The broader lesson we can draw from this passage is the importance of obedience to God’s commands. It reminds us that partial obedience is not enough. God desires our complete surrender and faithfulness in carrying out His will. When we disobey or compromise His commands, there can be negative consequences for ourselves and those around us.
Reflection
In summary, 1 Samuel 28:18 serves as a reminder of the consequences of Saul’s disobedience. Saul’s failure to obey God’s command to execute judgment upon the Amalekites led to the rejection of his kingship and the challenging situation he faced. This verse emphasizes the importance of wholehearted obedience to God’s commands and the need to honor His authority in our lives.
