# 1 Samuel Chapter 15
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## Summary
Saul is given a directive by the Lord to utterly destroy the Amalekites for their opposition of Israel on the way out of Egypt. He is directed to kill man, woman, child, infant, ox, sheep, camel and donkey. So Saul assembles the people permits the Kenites to depart and defeats the Amalekites. However Saul does not do as the Lord commands sparing their King Agag and the livestock whilst  destroying all the rest as directed. 

Upon visiting Saul, Samuel rebukes him and Saul expresses his fear of the people. Samuel notes that the Lord has rejected Saul for being king over Israel, before hacking the still living Agag King of the Amalekites to pieces before the Lord. Samuel and Saul part ways and the Lord regrets his appointment of Saul.

## Meditatio
What are the pitfalls of a leader? This passage offers a painful object lesson in failed leadership. Here we see the consequence of fearing the people that are led. Saul has been given a clear mandate from the Lord to take action against the enemies of Israel but fails to do so. He first blames the people he has brought along with him `but the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen...`[^1] before he is finally able to admit that the responsibility for this failing rests with him[^2].

This is consistent with his actions in prior chapters where we observe that he does not trust in the word of the Lord and fears man not the Lord. Be it his stepping in to make an offering before the Lord out of fear or hiding amongst the baggage he is clearly afraid of man. Proverbs is explicit that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A recognition that the Lord rightly should be feared as the one who can both create and uncreate a man; something Saul is about to experience here and now.

We might think it harsh for Samuel to not concede, but should Samuel withdraw the judgement this would legitimise Sauls actions which are frankly not on.

Yet if it was possible this situation is actually made worse. Saul recognises his guilt in this and his sin before the Lord. Yet his primary concern remains the fear of man. Saul does not in humility seek restoration with the Lord but with Samuel and the people; asking Samuel to come out with him before the Elders. In the end the Lord actually grants him this, with verse 31 indicating that Samuel attended Saul to permit his worship of the Lord, but the Lords relationship with Saul is forever changed.

[^1]: [1 Samuel 15:21](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+15%3A21&version=ESV).
[^2]: [1 Samuel 15:24](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+15%3A24&version=ESV)