ThE delineations of character as sketched in the historical Scriptures, are exceedingly instructive, as well as interesting; and very prominent among these sketches stands forth to view the character of Saul, the first king of Israel.
The first impression one receives on examining his character is surprise at his inconsistent course, and the contrary features in his character; at one time worshiping devoutly with the prophets, at another consulting the witch of Endor; at one time calmly and lovingly heaping favors and smiles upon David, at another hunting his life with the ferocity of a fiend; at one time forbidding food to his famished army to satisfy his fanatical oath, at another breaking his pledge of friendship to his faithful ally and son-in-law; disregarding the command to extirpate a certain nation to satisfy his avarice, and then urging the prophet to pray for him; at his first call to the kingdom, cowardly, hiding himself from fear, next hewing in pieces a yoke of oxen and threatening a similar fate to all who would not act with him in the work to which he had been called.
In Saul we see some of the best traits of humanity, strangely united with the worst, opposite traits of character appearing frequently to view: at one time brave to an extreme, at another time timid and trembling; at one time generous, at another mean; kindness and cruelty; devoted piety and rank disobedience; at one time his heart overflowing with kindness, at another kindling with ferocity; strange incongruities and inconsistencies appear at every turn in his life, and strangest of all is, the fact, that he was possessed of a very religious turn of mind; and amid all his obliquities, he would fall prostrate in wrapt worship when among the prophets, would intercede always for the prayers of the prophet Samuel, but too late he found that God would not always strive with man. O beware of trifling with God!