Are You Coachable? – Part II
Are You Coachable? Part II:
I Samuel 15: 1-35
In the second part of our series looking at the topic of “Are You Coachable”, once again we zero in on the life of King Saul and how he failed God and as a result lost the God-given leadership over the nation of Israel.
As a child, how many of us can remember being told by our mother or father to do something and more specifically; in a certain way. I know I can and how many times did I not follow instructions as they were set forth. Unfortunately for me, too many times. Often I have felt I had a better way than those who were seeking to instruct me. As a result, I have paid dearly for my misjudgment. Whether it is in today’s world or 2,000 years ago, not much has changed. We, (myself included) believe we have the answers, instead of following the instructions those like our parents, teachers or even most importantly: ones God has given us.
This is where we find King Saul. He has been instructed by God himself through the Prophet Samuel to annihilate the entire Amalekite nation including, all men, women, children and animals ( both wild and domesticated) leaving none alive. Saul mustered his troops of over 200,000 strong to do battle with the Amalekites. King Saul and his troops went to war and obliterated the nation of Amalek with the exception of its king (Agag). He spared the king as well as the finest cattle, sheep, goats, calves and lambs. In fact they set aside anything that was of value. Notice anything here which needs highlighting? That’s right: Saul did not follow God’s instruction to the law. He obeyed some but not all of God’s commands spoken to him.
God then spoke to Samuel lamenting his choice of Saul as King of the Israelites. Saul had not followed the instructions given to him fully and God also questioned Saul’s faithfulness to him. Samuel went out and sought Saul and found him building a memorial to himself for all the good he believed he had done. Saul spoke to Samuel about how he had followed God’s instructions and annihilated the Amalekite nation.
Samuel then questioned Saul about sparing Agag and all the animals. Saul sought to rationalize his actions to Samuel, but once again like last week: Samuel wasn’t buying anything Saul was selling that day. I need to stop here and ask how many times you or I sought to rationalize or cover-up our actions when we know what we have done was wrong? Again, speaking for myself, too many times to recount.
Samuel asked Saul why he had not followed God’s clear directive. Again Saul sought to diminish his actions and again Samuel wasn’t buying. Saul sought to win Samuel’s approval by showing the good he had done, rather than what he had not done. Again Samuel stated the obvious; when he asked Saul what action was better: what he had done or being obedient and faithful to what God had told him to do?
Saul finally admits his guilt and seeks forgiveness, yet Saul as is his bent, never seeks to repent from his action(s) and that is the seminal difference between himself and David. Saul realizes he has failed and begs Samuel to return with him, seeking to distance himself from his actions and those around him. Believing that by having Samuel as a traveling partner, he can be seen once again as a person of importance. Instead of one who had disgraced God and lost his leadership and power over the nation of Israel. Yet the only person he was fooling was unfortunately himself which is usually what happens when we seek to be someone we are not.
King Saul proved who he really was during the heat of the battle. This is the case for many of us as well. I sincerely hope that whomever or whatever you are called to lead you will listen to others and follow instructions given you so that you can be the leader God has intended you to be. You can be coachable, teachable and truly believe you are not the one with all the answers, as in the final analysis you are not.
Until next week, be strong, be in prayer and be the leader God has called you to be.
Walking with you,
