1 Samuel 14:52a
"All the days of Saul there was bitter war with the Philistines..."
 Saul was never completely at peace or completely victorious over his enemies.

The eastern tribes of Israel wage war against the Hagrites. These people, the Hagrites  are generally regarded as descendants of Hagar (mother of Abraham's son Ishmael), and a branch of the Ishmaelites.  They appear to have been fairly wealthy because of the number of camels they owned. (1 Chron 5:21).

1Ch 5:20
And when they prevailed over them, the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried out to God in the battle, and he granted their urgent plea because they trusted in him.

What an amazing little verse that is! Can we claim that verse today? Can we cry out to God in the middle of our "battles" because we trust in Him?

As we read the story of his life, it is simply amazing how often King Saul compromised, transferred blame, and rationalized....Oops…guess we do that too don’t we?  Another connection we can make from Saul to us today is that his obedience was somewhat "selective" at times. Selective obedience is another form of disobedience.

1Sa 15:22
And Samuel replied, Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord?  To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams!
How very true for us today.  God doesn't want us to give him "lip-service" or just "go through the motions" of worshiping or serving Him.  He wants our obedience!

“I am grieved that I have made Saul king…”

God doesn’t make mistakes, at least that's what our four old granddaughter Addy told us last Saturday. He doesn’t regret any actions. And He doesn’t change His mind. “He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind…”

He is simply grieved that Saul is doing what he is doing. Do we grieve the Lord by some of the things we are doing?

Again, that pride in Saul surfaces. He builds a monument in his own honor. And again, Saul does not obey the Lord completely when he says he has saved the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord. He wasn't supposed to save anything. Then Samuel gives Saul a stinging rebuke. Saul rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord rejected Saul.

Even with Saul's repentance, he transfers blame to the people, saying he was afraid of them and so he gave in to their wishes. HA! Reminds us of Aaron and the golden calf incident.

Saul asks Samuel to forgive him.  He doesn't ask God to forgive him.

A very interesting word is written in 1Sa 15:30.
Saul replied, "I have sinned! Now please honor me in front of the leaders of my people and in front of  Israel. Come back with me, and let me worship the LORD your God."
Saul says "the Lord your God", not the Lord our God. Hmmm...does that mean that Saul has rejected the Lord as the Lord rejected him?