The Bible teaches that believers have responsibilities towards constituted authorities. These responsibilities are both spiritual and civic. On the spiritual side, we are to uphold leaders in our prayers. If we fail in our duty to pray for leaders, we have no ground to grumble when they mislead or make unfavourable decrees. On the physical side, God expects us to obey people in authority. Paul has something to say about this as well. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” (Romans 13:1–2 NKJV)
However, are there justifiable grounds for believers to say ‘no’ to authorities? Absolutely! When saying yes to authority would mean saying no to God, we are to defer to the higher authority – God. When Paul admonished believers to subject themselves to authorities, he assumed that they were ministers in their own right, doing the will of God. When they begin to work contrary to God’s laws, believers are no longer obligated to obey them. In our text, Saul carried his madness to the extreme. He ordered his servants to kill the priests, but they refused. It is right to say no to authorities if obliging them will lead to a great sin against the final authority – GOD.