Along with confirming that God’s king must be one who perfectly obeys him, 1 Samuel 15:1–35 also shows us that God’s king will both pronounce and execute judgment on his enemies.

The need for a king who loves the praise of God more than the praise of man has been a recurring theme in 1 Samuel and particularly in the life of Saul. We have had several chapters drawing attention to his failures so that we might long for the coming of the Messiah. One aspect of the Messiah’s work that is now further clarified is the judgment he will bring. The servant of the Lord—yes, he will announce the good news of the Lord’s favour (Isaiah 61:2): salvation to all those who trust in him. The wonder of Christ’s active and passive obedience, justification through faith. But he will also come to destroy the wicked.

The Messiah did not come to destroy the wicked in his first coming. Jesus never took up the sword (see Matthew 26:52). But in his second coming, he will. The great Rider on the white horse, Faithful and True—he will return in glory with his angels and bring God’s justice to the world (Revelation 19:11–18). He treads the winepress of the fury of God’s wrath, and whoever’s name is not found written in his book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). A terrible day of judgment for those opposed to God. A day of lex talionis, judgment according to works where only that which is perfect will stand. A day to which we look forward as Christians because our judgment has already taken place. United to Christ, we died with him; the judgment that our sins deserve was paid. Resurrected from the grave and given the reward for his obedience, we are sure to receive the same (see Romans 6:1–10).