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FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 24: June 8 - 14: "The Lord Looketh on the Heart"

1 Samuel 8-10; 13; 15-16 

Doctrinal Focus
Historical & Contextual
Apologetic Application
Practical Applications
Ideas for Teaching
Quick Reference

Doctrinal Focus

  • Key doctrines addressed in this week’s reading

When Samuel is sent to anoint a new king, he initially assumes Eliab is the Lord’s chosen because of his appearance. The Lord corrects him, teaching that “man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). This doctrine helps learners understand that God values inner qualities such as faith, humility, and righteousness more than visible traits.

Although Saul stood taller than the people and appeared kingly to Israel (see 1 Samuel 10:23–24), the Lord ultimately chose David, who was overlooked by his own family. This contrast teaches that the Lord often works through those who quietly develop spiritual strength and a willing heart.

Saul’s choice to offer sacrifice without authority revealed his impatience and lack of trust in the Lord’s command through Samuel (see 1 Samuel 13:8–14). Later, Saul justified sparing the Amalekites’ possessions despite direct instruction to destroy them (see 1 Samuel 15:13–15). These experiences show that rationalizing disobedience leads to spiritual consequences.

Samuel teaches Saul that “to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22), clarifying that religious actions are meaningful only when they reflect true obedience. This doctrine invites learners to examine whether their worship and service are rooted in sincere commitment to the Lord’s will.

Early in his life, Saul demonstrated humility by seeking counsel from the man of God when he was unsure what to do (see 1 Samuel 9:6–10). This teaches that turning to the Lord and His servants opens the way for guidance and spiritual growth.

Saul later admits that he disobeyed the Lord because he feared the people and desired their approval (see 1 Samuel 15:24). As a result, Samuel declares that the kingdom would be taken from him (see 1 Samuel 15:26–28). This doctrine highlights the importance of humility, repentance, and prioritizing obedience to God over pleasing others.

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  • The events of 1 Samuel 8–10; 13; 15–16 take place during a major transition in ancient Israel, when the people move from being led by judges and prophets to being ruled by a king.

Israel demands a king “like all the nations” around them, rejecting the Lord as their direct ruler (see 1 Samuel 8). Saul is anointed as Israel’s first king, but his reign is marked by repeated disobedience. Eventually, the Lord rejects Saul and chooses David, signaling a shift from outward qualifications of leadership to inward spiritual faithfulness.

  • This period reveals Israel’s struggle between trusting the Lord and conforming to worldly expectations. The contrast between Saul and David illustrates how leadership in God’s kingdom depends on obedience, humility, and covenant loyalty rather than appearance or popularity.
  • This history matters today because it shows that God’s standards do not change. The Lord still seeks hearts that are faithful and willing, even when cultural pressure encourages different values.
  • When Israel asked for a king, they were motivated by concern for security and comparison with surrounding nations. Despite Samuel’s warnings, the people insisted, revealing a lack of confidence in the Lord’s ability to lead and protect them.

  •  Israel had previously experienced deliverance through judges raised up by God, but those leaders required faith and repentance from the people. A king seemed more predictable and visible, even if it meant spiritual risk.
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  • This insight helps learners recognize how fear can drive decisions that prioritize worldly solutions over divine guidance. It invites reflection on where trust is placed during uncertainty.
  • Saul’s failures were part of a pattern that revealed his priorities—he feared people, justified his actions, and valued appearances over obedience. His leadership showed that position without spiritual integrity leads to loss of divine authority.

     

  • Saul often appeared religious by offering sacrifices, yet he disregarded direct commandments. This demonstrates that outward acts of devotion cannot replace obedience.
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  • Understanding this pattern helps learners avoid oversimplifying Saul’s story and instead see the long-term spiritual consequences of choices. It reinforces that repentance and humility are essential for enduring discipleship.

If you have questions on this week’s reading, please email your questions to us here.

Apologetic Application

  1. Claim: “God changed His mind and punished Saul unfairly.”
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  3. Response:
  4. Historical Evidence: Ancient Israel functioned as a covenant theocracy, with the Lord as king. Allowing a human king was a concession to Israel’s demands, not a rejection of divine law, and Saul’s rejection came only after repeated violations of clear commandments.
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  6. Eyewitness Support: Samuel consistently warned both Israel and Saul of the consequences of disobedience, showing continuity in God’s expectations through His prophet. The record preserves these warnings, not to excuse Saul, but to explain why his kingship failed.
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  8. Spiritual Confirmation: The narrative emphasizes that God remains patient, instructive, and communicative through revelation. Readers are invited to seek the Spirit to understand God’s justice as purposeful rather than arbitrary.
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  10. Logical Analysis: A conditional covenant logically includes consequences for breaking its terms. Saul’s rejection reflects accountability, not inconsistency.
  • Claim: “The story promotes violence and moral injustice.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: Amalek had a long history of unprovoked violence against Israel, including attacks on the vulnerable. Ancient warfare language often emphasized total defeat to prevent future aggression, not indiscriminate cruelty.
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  • Eyewitness Support: Samuel’s role as prophet shows that this command was not Saul’s idea nor a political decision, but part of a prophetic judgment narrative preserved by Israel itself.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: The text emphasizes obedience and trust in God’s justice, not celebration of violence. Readers are encouraged to seek divine perspective rather than judge ancient events by modern assumptions alone.
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  • Logical Analysis: If God is just and omniscient, divine judgment may address long-term harm beyond immediate visibility. Saul’s failure lies not in moral sensitivity but in selective obedience and self-interest.
  • Claim: “If God only cares about the heart, behavior doesn’t matter.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: In Israelite theology, the heart represented intention, loyalty, and covenant commitment—not feelings alone. Actions were expected to reflect the heart’s condition.
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  • Eyewitness Support: Saul’s outward religious actions contrast with David’s inner devotion, as observed and recorded by Samuel and others who witnessed their leadership.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: The Spirit confirms that true discipleship involves both righteous intent and faithful action. Scripture consistently links a changed heart with obedient living.
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  • Logical Analysis: Valuing the heart does not eliminate moral standards; it strengthens them by addressing motive as well as behavior. A sincere heart should logically produce faithful obedience.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Evaluate daily choices by asking whether they align with God’s will or with social pressure.

Saul’s decisions reveal how fear of people can quietly replace trust in the Lord. Choosing God’s approval strengthens spiritual integrity and brings lasting peace, even when obedience is difficult or unpopular.

  1. – Pause before major decisions and ask, “What has the Lord already taught me about this?”
  2. – Identify any fear of judgment, rejection, or comparison influencing the choice.
  3. – Pray specifically for courage to obey, even if the outcome is uncertain.
  4. – Act in faith and trust the Lord with the results.

Encouraging Thought:

God’s approval brings confidence that no amount of public praise can replace.

Action Step: Follow the Lord’s commandments completely, even when partial obedience feels easier or more convenient.

Saul’s downfall came from justifying small deviations from clear instructions. Full obedience invites the Lord’s guidance and prevents rationalization from weakening faith over time.

  1. – Identify a commandment or prompting you’ve been tempted to modify or delay.
  2. – Study the Lord’s instruction carefully to understand His intent.
  3. – Remove justifications that soften or excuse disobedience.
  4. – Commit to act promptly and faithfully.

Encouraging Thought:

Obedience is not about perfection—it is about loyalty to the Lord.

  • Action Step: Focus on cultivating humility, repentance, and willingness to be taught.

David’s selection teaches that the Lord works through those whose hearts are open to Him. A teachable heart allows the Spirit to guide growth, correction, and future service.

  1. – Begin prayers by expressing willingness to accept correction and guidance.
  2. – Regularly reflect on personal motives, not just actions.
  3. – Respond quickly to promptings to repent or change course.
  4. – Seek opportunities to serve quietly without recognition.

Encouraging Thought:

  • When the heart is right, the Lord can shape the future in ways we cannot yet see.

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Help learners understand how the Lord values inner faithfulness over outward appearance.

Mirror or reflective object, paper, pens

Activity Steps:

  1. Introduction (5 min): Ask learners to look briefly at their reflection and list qualities people often judge by outward appearance. Invite them to consider whether those qualities reveal who someone truly is.
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  3. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read 1 Samuel 16:6–7, 11–13 and discuss Samuel’s assumptions and the Lord’s correction that He looks on the heart. Invite learners to identify what qualified David in the Lord’s eyes.
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  5. Application (5 min): Invite learners to write one Christlike quality they want to develop in their heart this week and how they will practice it.

Follow-Up Question: How might our decisions change if we focused more on developing our hearts rather than managing appearances?

Objective: Help learners recognize the difference between partial obedience and full obedience.

Two labeled containers (“Obedience” and “Justification”), slips of paper

Activity Steps:

Introduction (5 min): Present common phrases people use to justify incomplete obedience (written on slips of paper) and ask learners which container they belong in.

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Study 1 Samuel 13:8–14 and 1 Samuel 15:22–23, focusing on Saul’s actions and Samuel’s teaching that obedience matters more than outward sacrifice. Discuss why Saul’s justifications did not excuse disobedience.

Application (5 min): Invite learners to silently identify one area where they may be justifying instead of obeying and consider a faithful next step.

Follow-Up Question: Why do justifications often feel easier than obedience in the moment?

Objective: Encourage learners to prioritize the Lord’s approval over the approval of others.

Index cards, pens

Activity Steps: 

Introduction (5 min): Ask learners to think of a time they felt pressured to fit in or please others. Invite a few to share (as appropriate).

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read 1 Samuel 15:24–26 and discuss Saul’s admission that he feared the people more than the Lord, along with the spiritual consequences of that choice.

Application (5 min): Have learners write one situation where they want to choose God’s approval this week and what that choice might look like.

Follow-Up Question: What helps you stay faithful when obedience may cost you approval or comfort?

QUICK REFERENCE

God works patiently with imperfect leaders while still holding them accountable (see 1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 15:22–23).

  • Why trust modern prophets?
  • The Lord has always worked through imperfect servants, calling, correcting, and guiding them according to His purposes (see 1 Samuel 3:19–20; 1 Samuel 16:1). The pattern with Samuel, Saul, and David shows that prophetic authority comes from God, not personal perfection.
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  • Why does God allow mistakes?
  • Scripture shows that God honors agency and accountability while continuing His work despite human weakness (see 1 Samuel 13:11–14; 1 Samuel 15:24–28). Mistakes invite correction, learning, and humility rather than abandonment.

Gospel Topics: Prophets

Gospel Topics: Revelation (ChurchofJesusChrist.org)