Saturday, February 27, 2010
Red-Handed
(I Samuel 15:7-15)
When one is caught “red-handed,” it is human nature to quickly make excuses for inexcusable actions. The phrase “caught red-handed” was originally a Scottish legal term for evidence in the prosecution of poachers. Poachers, of course, take wild game out of season or illegally. To be “caught red-handed” meant the poacher was caught with the blood of the slain animal on his hands—thus proving his guilt and assuring his successful prosecution. The phrase has come to refer to one being caught in the act of questionable behavior.
By definition, then, Saul had been caught red-handed by Samuel. Saul knew his responsibility was to completely destroy everything pertaining to the Amalekites. In direct disobedience, Saul spared King Agag and the best of the sheep and oxen (9). Having been informed by the Lord of Saul’s transgression, Samuel arrived just in time to hear the bleating of the Amalekite sheep (14). The old prophet confronted the king, and—once again—Saul blamed others for his sin.
Without hesitation, the mighty king blamed the “people” for sparing the sheep and oxen (15). While they doubtless had a hand in the transgression, the responsibility for carrying out God’s orders rested on Saul’s shoulders alone. He had miserably failed in the area of exacting obedience.
Beyond blaming others, Saul’s second defense is even more creative. His disobedience, he argued, was for the greater good—a sacrifice unto the Lord (15). Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. used to say, “It’s never right to do wrong in order to get a chance to do right.” To that we would add, “When you do wrong, take responsibility; don’t pass the buck!”
