{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvertical.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Fteaching-aug-16-2026-NiP0i7Wk","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"The Price of Pride | 1 Samuel 15 | Nathan Hughes","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/9689ac23-2320-4b64-bf07-a443a5ebe021/6b13efe6-cd0a-443e-98a6-445ce69aef3e/taleoftwokingspod.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.simplecast.com/423e8229-5378-4988-8e55-c5e1e0270978\" height=\"200\" width=\"100%\" title=\"The Price of Pride | 1 Samuel 15 | Nathan Hughes\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>","height":200,"description":"In 1 Samuel 15, Saul doesn’t completely reject God’s command. He simply decides which parts he will obey.\n\nThat’s what makes selective obedience so dangerous.\n\nIn “The Price of Pride,” we continue our A Tale of Two Kings series by looking at Saul’s failure to fully surrender to God. Saul obeys when it’s convenient, justifies what he wants to keep, blames others when confronted, and ultimately becomes more concerned with protecting his image than truly repenting.\n\nSamuel’s question cuts through every excuse: “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears?”\n\nSooner or later, whatever we refuse to surrender will make noise.\n\nThis message challenges us to ask some difficult questions: What have I kept? What have I justified? What have I renamed? Where has God already spoken clearly, but I’m still trying to negotiate?\n\nBecause if Jesus is truly King, He gets the final word.\n\nBIG IDEA: Selective obedience is still disobedience.\n\nScripture: 1 Samuel 15:1–35\n\nIf God is calling you to take a next step, don’t keep putting it off. Whether it’s surrendering an area of your life, turning from sin, or following Jesus in baptism, let today be the day the excuses stop.\n\nEncounter God. Follow Jesus. Experience Freedom. Make an Impact."}