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Spiritual Gifts, Volume 4a
expired, and he came not. God had designedly, detained Samuel, that
his people might be proved, and might realize their sin, and how small
was their strength, and weak their judgment and wisdom without God.
In their calamity they repented that they had chosen a king. They
had possessed greater courage and confidence while they had God-
fearing rulers to instruct and lead them, for they obtained counsel
direct from God, and it was like being led by God himself. Now, they
realized that they were commanded by an erring king, who could not
save them in their distress. Saul had not a high and exalted sense
of the excellence and terrible majesty of God. He had not a sacred
regard for his appointed ordinances. With an impetuous spirit because
Samuel did not appear at the appointed time, he rushed before God
presumptuously, and undertook the sacred work of sacrifice. While
equipped for war, he built the altar and officiated for himself and
the people. This work was sacredly given to those appointed for the
purpose. This act was a crime in Saul, and such an example would
lead the people to have a low estimate of the religious ceremonies and
ordinances sanctified and appointed of God, prefiguring the sinless
offering of his dear Son. God would have his people have a holy
regard and sacred reverence for the sacrificial work of the priests,
which pointed to the sacrifice of his Son.
As soon as Saul had finished his presumptuous work, Samuel
appears and beholding the evidences of his sin, he cries out in grief
to Saul, “What hast thou done?” Saul explains the matter to Samuel,
justifying himself, setting before Samuel his perplexity and distress,
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and his delay as an excuse. Samuel reproves Saul, and tells him that
he has done foolishly, in not keeping the commandments of the Lord,
which if he had obeyed, the Lord would have established his kingdom
forever. “But now thy kingdom shall not continue. The Lord hath
sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded
him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that
which the Lord commanded thee.”
Because of the sin of Saul in his presumptuous offering, the Lord
would not give to him the honor of commanding the armies of Israel
in battle with the Philistines. The Lord would have his name alone
magnified lest the armies of Israel should exalt themselves as though
it were on account of their righteousness, valor or wisdom, that their
enemies were overcome. He moved upon the heart of Jonathan, a