Saul Rejected
573
No stronger evidence can be given of Satan’s delusive power than
that many who are thus led by him deceive themselves with the belief
that they are in the service of God. When Korah, Dathan, and Abi-
ram rebelled against the authority of Moses, they thought they were
opposing only a human leader, a man like themselves; and they came
to believe that they were verily doing God service. But in rejecting
God’s chosen instrument they rejected Christ; they insulted the Spirit
of God. So, in the days of Christ, the Jewish scribes and elders, who
professed great zeal for the honor of God, crucified His Son. The same
spirit still exists in the hearts of those who set themselves to follow
their own will in opposition to the will of God.
Saul had had the most ample proof that Samuel was divinely in-
spired. His venturing to disregard the command of God through the
prophet was against the dictates of reason and sound judgment. His
fatal presumption must be attributed to satanic sorcery. Saul had man-
ifested great zeal in suppressing idolatry and witchcraft; yet in his
disobedience to the divine command he had been actuated by the same
spirit of opposition to God and had been as really inspired by Satan
as are those who practice sorcery; and when reproved, he had added
stubbornness to rebellion. He could have offered no greater insult to
the Spirit of God had he openly united with idolaters.
It is a perilous step to slight the reproofs and warnings of God’s
word or of His Spirit. Many, like Saul, yield to temptation until they
become blind to the true character of sin. They flatter themselves that
they have had some good object in view, and have done no wrong in
departing from the Lord’s requirements. Thus they do despite to the
Spirit of grace, until its voice is no longer heard, and they are left to
the delusions which they have chosen.
[636]
In Saul, God had given to Israel a king after their own heart, as
Samuel said when the kingdom was confirmed to Saul at Gilgal, “Be-
hold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired.”
1
Samuel 12:13
. Comely in person, of noble stature and princely bear-
ing, his appearance accorded with their conceptions of royal dignity;
and his personal valor and his ability in the conduct of armies were
the qualities which they regarded as best calculated to secure respect
and honor from other nations. They felt little solicitude that their king
should possess those higher qualities which alone could fit him to rule
with justice and equity. They did not ask for one who had true nobility