I Samual 15 is interpreted by many who study the Bible for more than just its recounting of history. Whether you interpret it as history or as a lesson is irrelevant; the fact is that many study this passage to arrive at a message from God. Many interpret this message as: obedience to God is paramount. Therefore, given the example, if God commanded them to slaughter the infidels, they would be obliged to do so.
You go on to say:
"<For example, I Samual 15 can be legitimately interpreted as an example of how obedience to God is more important than humanity and mercy. Saul was condemned not for failing to kill all the women and children, but for taking booty and allowing the king of the Amalek's to live.>
Please. You really ought not be so utterly ignorant. Read the text. It is directly before you and yet you insist upon being ignorant. The text plainly says
“Saul spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.”
It is simply impossible to reasonably come to your conclusion when the text is as it is."
But doesn't Saul get the boot for disobeying ALL of God's command? Doesn't Samual admonition him for disobeying God's orders to kill everything, including 'the good'? Then, Samual hacks Agag to death, "hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD", then refuses to ever see Saul again until the day he dies.
Am I incorrect here? That the good was destroyed along with the bad, because God said so?
My point here is that some cretins interpret this 'absolute obedience even to slaughter innocents' as a justification for genocide. In their twisted minds, they find some reason to hate a particular group (homosexuals, abortion doctors, infidels, etc), and then apply this 'lesson' as justification for murder.
Yes, I think we have a different view of God, but that's ok. The issue really is: could the Bible be used as justification for evil? It has in the past, by selective use of certain pieces. If so, could the same happen with the Koran? Most certainly so. |
