Arrogant Ignorance: A Leader’s Downfall | 1 Samuel 15:10-16

Don't be intentionally arrogant and ignorant.

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are in 1 Samuel 15. I've titled this chapter "The Consequences of Disobedience."

Today, I am going to read quite a bit of text. First, here's the context. King Saul is commanded to strike down the Amalekites, but he does not complete the task. He spares Agag, the leader of the Amalekites, and some of the best cattle. Here is what happens next in verses 10-12:

The word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.” And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the Lord all night. And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And it was told Samuel, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself and turned and passed on and went down to Gilgal.” — 1 Samuel 15:10-12

We cannot miss a few things in this text. First, the contrast between Samuel's character and Saul's. Second, Samuel's priority for worshipping God over Saul, who worships himself. Third, Samuel hears and heeds God, whereas Saul does not.

Yet, in light of all this, Samuel prays. Samuel, who is deeply angered at what is happening in the nation and with their leader, prays in the shadow of the moment.

Samuel's response is very relevant, given our time. We are surrounded by selfish leaders who worship their ideas and agendas. We are told lies that are sold as the truth. Immorality is celebrated as the new morality. Thus, we as a people and nation have drifted far from God. The right response to this is righteous anger resolved in prayers cried out to the Lord.

I hope you are praying for our nation and its leaders. If not, you should be. Cry out to the Lord for them. Pray for their character and worship and that they hear and heed God's voice.

But Samuel will not stop with petitions of prayer. He will confront the King. Listen to verses 13-16:

And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed be you to the Lord. I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” And Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?” Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God, and the rest we have devoted to destruction.” Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! I will tell you what the Lord said to me this night.” And he said to him, “Speak.” — 1 Samuel 15:13-16

King Saul is intoxicated by his arrogant ignorance. He's so proud of what he has done. But he has not done all God asked him to do. Samuel calls him out because he has spared Agag and the best cattle. Then, when called out, he deflects, blames, and then explains.

This is what all selfish people guilty of arrogant ignorance do. They find some devious way to benefit themselves through the errors and evils of others. Then, when busted, they blame others rather than owning the error of their ways.

You will see Saul's subtle selfishness if you read a little between the lines in this text. He accomplishes a great victory over the Amalekites. Immediately following, he builds a monument to himself. Next, he heads to Gilgal to offer sacrifices to the Lord. But he will not give the best of his cattle; instead, he will provide the best of his enemy's cattle. Then Samuel shows up and calls him out, which clarifies why Saul did what he did. King Saul's heart is far from God. We see this spoken in his defense. Let's reread it:

Saul said, “They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God...

Samuel's intimacy with God is not Saul's intimacy with God. Something has happened within Saul. Saul's power and success have led to arrogance and the drift toward intentional ignorance.

Success can do this to any leader. When we attribute our success to ourselves, we elevate ourselves and find any way to retain this position, even if it means using devious means.

If you're a leader, examine your heart. Invite the probing question: "Am I being devious, arrogant, or intentionally ignorant?" If so, address it, expose it, confess it, and repent of it. And as you do, remember to pray for national leaders who need to do the same. Cry out for yourselves, and cry out for them.

God, we come to you as our God. We confess and repent of our arrogant ignorance. We want and need your leadership in all of this life. Amen.

#HumbleLeadership, #PrayForWisdom, #RejectPride