He was Israel’s first king. He was a humble man who was "hiding among the baggage" (10:22) when chosen. He was a great king until pride destroyed him. When Samuel told Saul to go and defeat the Amalekites, he was to destroy every living human and animal. They attacked the Amalekites and defeated them. But, verse 9 of 1 Samuel 15 tells us, "But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted them to destruction" (ESV).

When Samuel came to Saul, he said to him, "Blessed be you to the Lord. I have performed the commandment of the Lord." (15:15 ESV) Samuel then asked him, "then what is this bleating of the sheep and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?" (15:16 ESV)

Saul began by saying he had obeyed God’s command. He did go to fight the Amalekites, he did destroy most of them, but not all of them. The Lord was very displeased that he had disobeyed him. So much so that he would reject him as king and another would be appointed.

Saul’s answer was that "the people" had spared them and brought back the best to sacrifice to God. Did you notice that he did not take any credit for bringing them back? He blamed this on others when he was the one who had received instructions from Samuel.

Do we ever play this game? Do we do something that we should not and try to find others to blame? I would venture to say that we are all guilty at times. It is hard to admit our mistakes, but the person who is willing to take responsibility will be blessed in the long run—even though it is hard to do.

You’ll notice that Saul was rejected by God from being king. David would be appointed in his place. I realize we are not kings of a country, but if we fail to confess our sins, if we try to blame others, we will lose our heavenly home.

Don’t let pride stand in your way of confessing sin but humble yourselves before the Lord. It is true—He will lift you up.