Shaul's Sin in the Battle with Amalek/1/en

Shaul Loses the Kingship

Introduction

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Shaul's Sin

Following Shaul's sin in chapter 13, of not waiting for Shemuel in order to bring the sacrifices, he again in chapter 15 does not follow directions.  In contrast to the original punishment "כִּי עַתָּה הֵכִין י"י אֶת מַמְלַכְתְּךָ אֶל יִשְׂרָאֵל עַד עוֹלָם. וְעַתָּה מַמְלַכְתְּךָ לֹא תָקוּם" ‎(13:13-14), here Shaul is told "קָרַע י"י אֶת מַמְלְכוּת יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵעָלֶיךָ הַיּוֹם וּנְתָנָהּ לְרֵעֲךָ הַטּוֹב מִמֶּךָּ" ‎(15:28).  The obvious question that comes out of this verse, is what did Shaul do wrong that he deserved to lose the kingship?

Perhaps we have some hints in Shemuel's rebuke.  Multiple times he mentions the spoils and cattle that he heard:

(יד) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל וּמֶה קוֹל הַצֹּאן הַזֶּה בְּאׇזְנָי וְקוֹל הַבָּקָר אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי שֹׁמֵעַ.

(יט) וְלָמָּה לֹא שָׁמַעְתָּ בְּקוֹל י"י וַתַּעַט אֶל הַשָּׁלָל וַתַּעַשׂ הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי י"י.