The Sorrow and Delight of God

While Saul's political assessment was largely positive (1 Sam 14:47-52), 1 Samuel 15 shows us the depth of the Lord's grief over Saul's sin. Verse one frames the chapter: "Now therefore listen to the words of the Lord." Through the words of Samuel, we learn how a pattern disobedience—even partial obedience—reveals nothing less than an idolatrous heart. No amount of religious traditions or rituals can make up for this, "for this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments."