1 Samuel 15:17, commentary and pictures

When Saul regarded himself as small and incapable, God Himself raised him up to lead the tribes and anointed him as king. Being little in his own sight meant he held a low estimate of himself and was willing to be taught and guided. Samuel recalled that humble beginning to expose how far Saul had fallen into pride, self-will, and self-justification when he spared the best of Amalek while claiming to have obeyed God. No claim of religious purpose could excuse that act, because obedience is valued above sacrifice, and his excuses brought divine rejection. His honor and success could continue only as he stayed humble, distrusted his own judgment, and sought divine wisdom, for turning to self-sufficiency perverts judgment and separates a person from God.

Saul's Humble Elevation

To be little in one's own sight is to hold a humble opinion of one's own capabilities and to be willing to be instructed and teachable, and for that reason Saul was made head of the tribes of Israel and anointed king. At the time of his choice he was deficient in knowledge and experience, and though he had many good qualities he had serious defects of character, so God granted him the Holy Spirit as guide and helper and placed him where he could learn, receive guidance, and develop the qualities requisite for ruling Israel. In the same way God still calls people to serve because they recognize their need for instruction, offering grace and wisdom to those who accept it.

Because he was little in his own sight, the Lord made him head of the tribes of Israel and anointed him king, so that his position and authority came wholly from God's appointment, showing that God alone has power to raise a person to greatness. Humility rather than self-importance is therefore the safe attitude, for when people recognize their weakness and rely on Him He gives them strength and their work can succeed. So Brother Sanborn was made an instrument in teaching others the truth while little in his own eyes, in contrast to his later weakened and less wisely directed work.

Samuel Confronts Disobedience

The command given to Saul was to execute judgment upon Amalek and destroy them completely, yet he disobeyed by sparing and keeping the best of the animals. Even in disobedience he insisted he had kept the command, claiming the animals had been kept to be offered to God. The surviving sheep and oxen themselves proved he had not obeyed, exposing how a person can justify disobedience while still claiming loyalty to God.

Samuel therefore recalled Saul's elevation from humility in order to confront that disobedience. When Saul was little in his own eyes the Lord had made him head over the tribes of Israel and anointed him king, and Samuel set that appointment against his present failure to obey concerning Amalek. The contrast highlighted how the once lowly man had given way to prideful self-exaltation, choosing his own course and reasoning and defending himself with self-justification instead of obeying God. That reminder showed his position and authority had come wholly from God, making his rebellion especially grievous in light of the privilege he had received.

No religious offering could excuse such disobedience, for obedience matters more than sacrifice. His disobedience and excuses kindled God's anger and brought judgment, leading to God's rejection of him as king. His denial of wrongdoing, his refusal to confess when confronted with plain facts, and his claim that he was misused and ill-treated forms a pattern repeated in others, as seen in a young man who followed the same course.

Humility Secures Divine Guidance

Saul's continuance in success and honor depended entirely on his remaining little in his own sight, not trusting to his own strength and judgment, which would make him move impulsively and commit grave errors, but seeking constantly to be guided by divine wisdom and advancing only as providence opened the way. Under the influence of divine grace sought in that humility, every good quality in him would have gained strength while evil traits steadily lost their power. To be little in one's own eyes is to be beloved by God, for humility marked Saul's time of closeness to God, while growing self-esteem accompanied his separation from Him.

Humility is what allows God to use a person for His glory and to guide that person with His counsel. By contrast, self-sufficiency and taking authority that God has not given lead to mistakes and make a person a channel of darkness. The verse therefore warns against becoming self-sufficient after success, since Saul was made king when he was humble in his own eyes and his appointment and anointing were joined to that former lowliness. Remaining small means staying humble rather than trusting one's own ability and judgment, keeping God's honor rather than personal glory central, and being willing to seek counsel from others.

Recognizing one's weakness and depending on God are essential, for when people remain humble and lean on Him He gives them strength and their efforts and work can succeed. When they turn their minds from Him their judgment is perverted, their wisdom becomes foolishness, and Satan can distort their thoughts and judgment.