Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me that I may bow before the LORD.” And Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you. For you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel.” As Samuel turned to go away, Saul seized the skirt of his robe, and it tore. And Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret.” Then he said, “I have sinned; yet honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may bow before the LORD your God.” So Samuel turned back after Saul, and Saul bowed before the LORD.
(1 Samuel 15:24-31 ESV)
Finally, after hearing the consequences of his persistent pride, Saul admits that he has disobeyed the commandment of God through Samuel. But he still blames the people in a backhanded way. And he is concerned with appearances more than a change of heart. Something sad is happening indeed, as when Saul first makes the request, he refers to bowing "before the LORD," but the second time it is "before the LORD your God." Samuel agrees to go with Saul, not to help him save face, but to make sure the people see Saul bowing before the LORD as king. That's what the whole issue is: "am I bowing before God as King? Or am I stuck on being king?" Am I concerned more about consequences or cleansing? Do I want to save face or serve God?
No comments:
Post a Comment