We’re following David’s adventures in the wilderness as flees the paranoid pursuit by King Saul. What’s amazing is that despite Saul’s knowing that God has rejected him, he persists in pretending to be under God’s blessing.

Here are the rejection notices – two different occasions of specific disobedience:

[For presuming to offer the sacrifice himself instead of waiting for Samuel] And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.” (1 Samuel 13.13, 14, ESV, emphasis mine)

[For failing to destroy the Amalekites as commanded] And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king.” (1 Samuel 15.22, 23, ESV, emphasis mine)

But Saul enjoys using God-sounding language:

When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD’s instructions.” (1 Samuel 15.13, NIV, said right after he had precisely failed to perform the LORD’s instructions!)

Then the Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is south of Jeshimon? Now come down, O king, according to all your heart’s desire to come down, and our part shall be to surrender him into the king’s hand.” And Saul said, “May you be blessed by the LORD, for you have had compassion on me.” (1 Samuel 23.19 – 21, ESV, emphasis mine)

It’s an age-old temptation: attempting to cover ungodly actions by God-sounding words. Maybe that’s why there’s a command for that!

You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. (Exodus 20.7, NIV – the third commandment)

Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” And then will I declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” (Matthew 7.21 – 23, ESV)