Magnanimity of David
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be lasting. After evil-minded men have engaged in doing and saying
wicked things against the Lord’s servants, the conviction that they have
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been in the wrong sometimes takes deep hold upon their minds. The
Spirit of the Lord strives with them, and they humble their hearts before
God, and before those whose influence they have sought to destroy,
and they may change their course toward them. But as they again open
the door to the suggestions of the evil one, the old doubts are revived,
the old enmity is awakened, and they return to engage in the same
work which they repented of, and for a time abandoned. Again they
speak evil, accusing and condemning in the bitterest manner the very
ones to whom they made most humble confession. Satan can use such
souls with far greater power after such a course has been pursued than
he could before, because they have sinned against greater light.
“And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together,
and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah.” The death
of Samuel was regarded as an irreparable loss by the nation of Israel.
A great and good prophet and an eminent judge had fallen in death,
and the grief of the people was deep and heartfelt. From his youth up
Samuel had walked before Israel in the integrity of his heart; although
Saul had been the acknowledged king, Samuel had wielded a more
powerful influence than he, because his record was one of faithfulness,
obedience, and devotion. We read that he judged Israel all the days of
his life.
As the people contrasted the course of Saul with that of Samuel,
they saw what a mistake they had made in desiring a king that they
might not be different from the nations around them. Many looked
with alarm at the condition of society, fast becoming leavened with
irreligion and godlessness. The example of their ruler was exerting a
widespread influence, and well might Israel mourn that Samuel, the
prophet of the Lord, was dead.
The nation had lost the founder and president of its sacred schools,
but that was not all. It had lost him to whom the people had been
accustomed to go with their great troubles—lost one who had con-
stantly interceded with God in behalf of the best interests of its people.
The intercession of Samuel had given a feeling of security; for “the
effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
James 5:16
.
The people felt now that God was forsaking them. The king seemed