1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ

60 Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Samuel 2007 Edition"When God issues a decree that is plainly intended as irrevocable, as inthe rejection of Saul, then, says our text, there is no possibility of thatdecree being rescinded (cf. Nu. 23:19)." 177Saul had established a long record of rebellious behavior. God knew that Saul'sconfession was not genuine and his repentance was not real. Saul may have thought thathe could "con" God, but He could not. He behaved toward God as a manipulative childdeals with his or her parents. Rather than having a heart to please God, as David did, Saulonly obeyed God when he felt that it was to his advantage to do so. He wanted tomaintain control and to receive the glory. Samuel reminded the king that Yahweh was the"Glory of Israel." Saul may have been bowing down in repentance in Samuel's presence,though the text does not say that, but he was standing up inside. It was that unbendingresistance to God's complete will that made Saul unusable as Israel's king."Saul, as this chapter in particular would have us understand, was a man incontention with Yahweh in a way that David, for all his lurid sins, neverwas." 178Saul's lack of submission was an even more serious sin than David's sins of murder andadultery. God did not remove the kingship from David for his sins, but He did from Saul."To be king in Israel was . . . quite a different matter from being king inthe countries round about. Saul did not understand this distinction, andresented Samuel's 'interference,' whereas David appreciated the point thatthe Lord his God was the focus of authority, and therefore he was willingto submit to the word of his prophet even though, in the eyes of thewatching world, it must have seemed that David's own authority wouldthereby be weakened. Here lay the crucial distinction between Saul andDavid. The man after God's own heart submitted to God's word, obeyedhis prophets, and found acceptance and forgiveness, despite his manyglaring faults and failures. Saul obstinately clung to his rights as king, butlost his throne." 179Perhaps Samuel consented to honor Saul by worshipping with him (vv. 30-31) becauseSaul was still the king. It was good that Saul wanted to honor Yahweh in the eyes of thepeople by worshipping Him. Perhaps Saul's sincere though shallow contrition movedSamuel to be more cooperative and gracious (cf. v. 26). 180 Note Saul's continuingobsession with external appearances.177 Gordon, p. 146.178 Ibid., p. 142.179 Baldwin, p. 35. Remember this observation when you read about God pardoning David's gross sins in 2Samuel.180 Most of the commentators believed Samuel did not sin in returning with Saul. For the reasons of onewriter who thought he did, see Peter N. Greenhow, "Did Samuel Sin?" Grace Journal 11:2 (1970):34-40.