Share this article:

Sam Wenner - Arlington Heights

1 Samuel 15:17-26 ESV

And Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. And the Lord sent you on a mission and said, ‘Go, devote to destruction the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?” And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord. I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” And Samuel said,


“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”


Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me that I may bow before the Lord.” And Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you. For you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.”


Connect with Us:

July 8, 2025
The Staff at The Orchard Itasca shared the following testimony about how they have seen God work through the ministry of the Forest View Nursing and Rehab Center. We began this ministry last year and have set up quarterly visits to the facility. Each time, 15 people meet there at 2 pm. Some people just engage with those in the common areas, talking with them, praying with them. Others, including Pastor Ryan go door-to-door and visit with those who are in their rooms. We take gift bags each time to hand out to both residents and staff.
July 1, 2025
Pastor Shohei shared his testimony with the staff of The Orchard, and how he has seen God work through the ministry of the Welcome Desk. Every Saturday and Sunday, I stand by the Welcome Desk to greet new guests at our church. Over the past month, I’ve noticed more and more new faces attending. Since I’m always there, I can easily recognize who is new and make them feel welcome.
May 30, 2025
Matt shared his testimony with the members and attendees of The Orchard Arlington Heights, and how he has seen God work throughout his life. My name is Matt and I grew up here at this church. I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart on the first day of second grade but I never really thought more about Jesus until my sophomore year of high school when Pastor Brad gave me a book on theology. With that book I grew to understand more of who Jesus is and what he had done. Unfortunately, that only lasted until I went away to college.