God has a unitary nature, meaning all God's attributes eg. love, justice, longsuffering etc all functions simultaneously.
Then appreciate the gracious kindness and the severity of God
Romans 11:22 AMP
His love dosen’t make Him less just or otherwise. Infact, His justice system is proof that He is love.
In 1 Samuel 16.1 We see how God rejected a man (Saul) He had chosen by His own will to become king over His own people.
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve for Saul, when I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have chosen a king for Myself among his sons.”
1 Samuel 16:1
But why would God reject His own chosen vessel?
Remember,
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him…
2 Chronicles 16:9
The God who rejected this man is still in search for men.
But why did God decide to replace King Saul?
On two occasions the man who annointed Saul, Prophet Samuel announced that Saul was rejected of God and the second time it was after God Him self regretted annointing Saul as King;
“Then the Lord said to Samuel, I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night.
1 Samuel 15:10-11
The first time it was mentioned that He had been rejected was in 1 Samuel 13 when He performed the role of prophet Samuel by sacrificing the burnt offering to God against the law of God.
“How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.
But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”
1 Samuel 13:13-14 NLT
The second was when He disobeyed God's instruction by partly destroying the amalekites and this greatly grieved God's heart
“But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel!”
1 Samuel 15:26 NIV
About now I will show you by the Holy Spirit the singular root cause of this two acts of gross disobedience.
This was his problem:
HE FEARED MEN MORE THAN HE FEARED GOD.
In 1 Samuel 13: 11 when He was asked why he offered the sacrifice here is what he said;
but Samuel said, “What is this you have done?” Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle.
1 Samuel 13:11 NLT
After his next act of disobedience in 1 Samuel 15 here is what he said;
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them.
1 Samuel 15:24 NIV
Saul's main problem was that he didn't know God enough to fear Him more than he feared men and to this end God could find no use for him any longer with regards to Kingship over His people.
Remember, we are Kings and Priests. Let’s not be unfaithful so our crown will not be be given to another.
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
Revelation 3:11 NIV
⚠️ Warning ⚠️
Let's decide to follow God even if it means losing family, friends and even our mortal life.
Thank you for reading.
Your brother,
Elisha Oreunomhe
I value you!