The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-04-03

with IL SHINING on the part OF the
hungry, harassed Israelites in that
they ate of the spoils with the blood"
Q4:31, 80; Lev. 3:17, 1920. In the
emergency Saul erected ''the first al
tar that he built unto the Lord" (ch
l4:35), a rather dilatory act on the
part of God-anointed king. Saul had
resorted to the subterfuge of COM
handing the people ito roll a great
stone" i.e., cut the threats Of the ami
mails of which they had eaten that
they might bleed, and thus be an evil
dence that the animals had died be-
fore being eaten. This the people did,
fearing Saul. but having no scruples
In transgressing Gods commands.
These same people rescued Jonathan
from the foolish VOW of Saul, for 1t
was his faith and valor that had chief
ly brought about the victory.
!. Gods Sorrow, w. 1912. Samuel
had first revealed Gods purpose in
making Saul king. and likewise first
declared Gods purpose to dispose of
Saul ". 10). Sauls actions (vv. 49,
had stamped him as being no longer
worthy of Gods confidence. The
word "repenteth," meaning TO sigh"
". ID, denotes a change of feeling
due to Saul's actions and not to any
change in the character, purpose or
desires of Good. God was sorry that
Saul had proved himself unworthy.
A halfway obedience of Gods COM
mand only heightened his guilt.
Whatever moral difficulties seem to
lie. for later age, in Saul's commits
sion against Amalek, there were none
such for him" (Vaughn). Mans re-
pentance involves a change of mind
and purpose. In Saul's case God re-
pented, changed the instrument of his
execution, because of the change of
circumstances and relation. God is
ever the same; it is man alone who
changes. Saul had given Samuel
cause for anger ". IL r. W, but he
did the wise thing in taking 1t to God
In prayer. Arising early the next
morning Samuel FASTENED to acquaint
Saul with Jehovah's message. 1t is
remarkable of how many of the great
men of the Bible 1t is said that they
rose early, Abraham, Gideon, Joshua,
Job. Jacob, Moses, ETC., not to forget
our Lord Jesus.
u. Samuel's Rebuke, w. 1919. 1t
must have been a striking scene when
the aged Nazarite prophet faced the
proud but recreant king. A guilty
conscience is often covered by a great
show of piety ". 49,. but such acts
cannot stifie the conviction of the
heart nor deceive the righteous Judge.
Sin proc1aims itself even as Samuel's
sharp question brought conviction
from the lips of Saul ". Ia; Prov.
2S:l3). Saul thought to deceive Sam
uel by using a falsehood ". 15). The
only safe course is to confess our
sins FPS. 32:15; l. John 1:9. There |
is an interesting suggestion in the
way Saul uses the impersonal they"
and I'VE" in verse Is, as If to lay
the guilt of his acts upon others. 1t |
Is easy for the sinner to blame others |
and seek to minimize his own guilt |
from. 14:12). Verse clearly in.
dicates why Saul and the people had
spared the best of the cattle. To use
a part only for God and the res. for |
self In direct disobedience to Gods |
rights or the rights of others is to |
incur his righteous wrath wv. %, 23).
Samuel did not tell Saul what he |
thought Of him but simply and direct
ly delivered words ". Is |. CO.. Re-
calling SauPs beginnings as king of |
Israel. emphasizing Gods mercy and |
grace, Samuel recounts Gods COM
mand regarding the Amalekites.
These are a type Of the flesh and for |
such God has no mercy except that |
of Calvary (Gal. 5:2D. Samuel eff. |
fectually swept aside Saul's sophistry
by his direct question ". 19) which |
demand Straightforward answer
III. sauI's seIf-Rejection, w. 2c.2s.
God set Saul aside because he had |
rejected the right and chose the
wrong. Face to face with his sin
Saul could not dodge the issue. Sam
uels wherefore" ". 19) must have
aroused Sau's guilty conscience. It
is a question which should reach every |
tempted soul. Samuel characterized |
Saul's sin as being due to stubborn.
ness, rebellion, disobedience and a re-
lection of God ". 49,. Again Saul
seeks to evade his responsibility wv.
20, 2D. Then Samuel speaks plainly
". 22) comparing his sin of disobedi-
ence with witchcraft, stubbornness,
iniquity and idolatry. Plainly he tells
Saul, Because thou hast rejected the
word of the Lord, he hath also reject.
ed thee from being king" (v.-23).
Driven thus to a corner Saul made
a confession of his guilt ". 24) but
spoiled 1t all by acknowledging that
he had greater fear of the people than
Of God. His sorrow was that OF the |
man who was caught in an act Of
and not because of the
sinfulness of his deed. God had for.
saken Saul and therefore Samuel
parts company with him also (vv. 25.
26). Saul's rending of Samuels gar.
ment tvv. %, 2S) is used as "a parable
Of the forthcoming rent kingdom.
Samuel takes occasion to suggest that
God. the Strength CT israel" had
won the recent victory and that God
was not guilty of lying nor had he
changed. Saul makes one more plea
In which he acknowledged his depar.