1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 15:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The abolition of the former commandments is mandated, as no such directives of the law had been established previously. In regard to offerings, God questions, ‘When ye come to appear before me, who shall require of you that ye trample upon my courts’ (Isaiah 1:12)? Furthermore, He states, ‘sacred meats will not help you when, doing evil, you rejoice’ (Jer. 11:15). He also asks, ‘have you offered me sacrifices and gifts of bread in the wilderness for forty years, O house of Israel’ (Am. 5:25)? Additionally, He inquires, ‘for what do I use the frankincense that comes from Sava, and the fragrant reed from a far country’ (Jer. 6:20)? He declares, ‘sacrifice and offering Thou didst not want’ (Ps. 39:7).

In a similar fashion to how the esteemed Samuel admonished Saul, his rebuke was not gentle but stern, stating, “Is not a word better than an offering? By this, a person upholds the law and brings joy to God, who declares, The sacrifice of praise shall glorify Me (Psalm 49:23).” It is essential for all to grasp the meaning behind these words: I desire mercy, not sacrifice (Matthew 9:13; Hos. 6:6). God cannot be satisfied with anything other than this.

Saul claimed that he had seized oxen and sheep for offerings, but the prophet responded to him, stating, "Behold, the Lord desires not burnt offerings and sacrifices, but to heed the voice of the Lord. Indeed, obedience is of greater worth than sacrifice, and listening is favored more than the fat of rams."

Question: Why did God strip Saul of his kingdom for an act of humanity?

The prophets clearly indicate that God established particular commandments in the law not out of a need for service, but rather for the benefit of the individuals themselves. The Lord expressly conveyed, as I have previously indicated, that He had no need for their offerings; instead, He commanded them for the welfare of the one offering. When God observed their neglect of justice and detachment from divine love, believing that sacrifices and ritual observances would appease Him, Samuel admonished them by saying, "God does not desire burnt offerings and sacrifices, but He desires that His voice should be obeyed. Obedience is better than sacrifice, and to heed His word is preferable to the offering of rams."

A single virtue of obedience nurtures and protects other virtues within the soul. Thus, it is rightly valued above sacrifice, since sacrifice can lead to the hardening of one’s own flesh, whereas obedience strengthens one’s will.

Submitting to the Lord is preferred over offering sacrifices, and humility is more valuable than the best offerings, as the Prophet conveyed to the king of Israel for his misstep in presenting an inappropriate sacrifice to God. If your intention is to present a sacrifice of love to God, do so thoughtfully and with care, rather than on a whim or out of haste. Ensure that your offering is made with reverence, at the appointed time and place designated by the Lord.

The society around us often rejects the idea of obedience, instead cherishing a notion of unrestricted freedom. Yet, one must wonder how it is possible to overlook the importance of obedience. In creation, every part is interconnected and sustained by the submission of the lesser to the greater. The Lord of all creation governs humanity through the heavenly hosts, while the physical realm is entrusted to mankind. Is harmony achievable within a family, community, city, or nation without obedience? People claim that freedom is an untouchable refuge. But what does that freedom entail? Authentic freedom is found in adhering to the divine will of God, whereas any other form leads to disgrace, recklessness, and irreverence. It is written, “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” Disobedience equates to engaging in sorcery, and to be disobedient is akin to the sin of idolatry. This is the message conveyed through divine revelation.