1 Samuel 15:35 KJV
And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
I am impressed with two things from this chapter; first that Saul's disobedience is called rebellion and likened to witchcraft. This in the face of the fact that Saul thought he had obeyed the Lord. In his mind he did what God had asked. He only kept back a few of the spoils (the very best things) and that, for the people. We live in a day when Christians believe they can obey the Lord in some part and should get credit for being obedient Christians. Most of us are more likely than not guilty of rebellion as the sin of witchcraft.
But I am more impressed with Samuel's response to all that takes place in this chapter.
First, it is obvious that Samuel has developed a love for Saul. When, in verse 11, God told Samuel that Saul had "turned back from following the Lord" Samuel was grieved and wept all night. In vs 35 Samuel mourned for Saul. Though it does not say so, I believe the passage means, for the rest of his life.
Secondly, though Samuel was obviously loved Saul, he was the man of God and confronted Saul's sin. He did not allow Saul to excuse away what he had done. He would not pretend everything was all right between he and Saul for the good of Saul's followers. He was the man of God.
Thirdly, though Samuel mourned for Saul, likely the rest of his life, still Samuel stayed true to his convictions. He was compassionate. He loved the king. But he loved the Lord more.
God make me that kind of preacher!
And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
I am impressed with two things from this chapter; first that Saul's disobedience is called rebellion and likened to witchcraft. This in the face of the fact that Saul thought he had obeyed the Lord. In his mind he did what God had asked. He only kept back a few of the spoils (the very best things) and that, for the people. We live in a day when Christians believe they can obey the Lord in some part and should get credit for being obedient Christians. Most of us are more likely than not guilty of rebellion as the sin of witchcraft.
But I am more impressed with Samuel's response to all that takes place in this chapter.
First, it is obvious that Samuel has developed a love for Saul. When, in verse 11, God told Samuel that Saul had "turned back from following the Lord" Samuel was grieved and wept all night. In vs 35 Samuel mourned for Saul. Though it does not say so, I believe the passage means, for the rest of his life.
Secondly, though Samuel was obviously loved Saul, he was the man of God and confronted Saul's sin. He did not allow Saul to excuse away what he had done. He would not pretend everything was all right between he and Saul for the good of Saul's followers. He was the man of God.
Thirdly, though Samuel mourned for Saul, likely the rest of his life, still Samuel stayed true to his convictions. He was compassionate. He loved the king. But he loved the Lord more.
God make me that kind of preacher!
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