1 Samuel 15:20-34
Introduction
:
Last 2 Weeks – 1 Samuel 15
Rebellion and Stubbornness equated to witchcraft & Idolatry:
This is here called
rebellion
and
stubbornness
, and is said to be as bad as
witchcraft
and
idolatry
, v. 23.
It is as bad to set up other gods as to live in disobedience to the true God. Those that are governed by their own corrupt inclinations, in opposition to the command of God, do, in effect, consult the
teraphim
(as the word here is for idolatry) or the diviners.
It was disobedience that made us all sinners (Rom. 5:19), and this is the malignity of sin, that it is the
transgression of the law
, and consequently it is
enmity to God
, Rom. 8:7.
Saul was a king, but if he disobey the command of God, his royal dignity and power will not excuse him from the guilt of rebellion and stubbornness.
It is not the rebellion of the people against their prince, but of a prince against God, that this text speaks of
!
————————————————-
Fall of Jericho 6
Joshua 7:1-12
–
Defeat because of sin/rebellion/stubbornness
—————————————–
Witchcraft and Divination:
qecem
{
keh’-sem
}
Meaning:
1) divination, witchcraft 1a) of the nations, Balaam 1b) of false prophets 1c) in a good sense (king’s lips as oracles)
Origin:
from 07080; TWOT – 2044a; n m
Usage:
AV – divination 9, witchcraft 1, divine sentence 1; 11
Astrology –
(Peyote, etc.)
Necromancy / Shamanism
= a practice of communicating with dead – either by summoning their spirit or raising them bodily.
Seance
–
Stubborness
patsar
{paw-tsar’}
Meaning:
1) to press, push 1a) (Qal) to push, press 1b) (Hiphil) be insolent, display pushing (arrogance, presumption)
Origin:
a primitive root; TWOT – 1801; v
Usage:
AV – urge 4, press 2, stubbornness 1; 7
So to rebel is like witchcraft and idolatry!
Transition
: Let me move on to Saul’s desire
Transition
: There are some important principles to remember about the last three weeks.

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