Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.
After his disobedience was exposed and he was told he would lose the kingship, Saul asked Samuel to pardon his sin and to turn back with him so that he might worship the Lord. His admission came only after fear led him to acknowledge that he had disobeyed God, following a pattern in which wrongdoing is denied until the facts are undeniable. Smitten with agony and terror and filled with remorse and fear over being rejected, he made this plea for pardon and companionship in worship.
He hoped that Samuel's returning with him would mean his sentence would be reversed. His distress over the consequences centered on being dethroned and on his descendants losing the throne. His plea did not show true repentance or sorrow for sin but fear of punishment, with no true confession and a feeling of being mistreated.
He was more anxious to be honored before the people than to receive forgiveness and God's favor. He wanted Samuel's presence to preserve his authority and the people's loyalty, rather than to make a public confession and show true repentance. Samuel first refused his request, then agreed to appear with him before the elders and the people.
His example warns that persisting in one's own way and rejecting reproof leads to loss of honor and finally loss of the soul. As part of that example, those who refuse the Lord's counsel need to examine their past, because they may be appointed to destruction.
After his disobedience was exposed and he was told he would lose the kingship, Saul asked Samuel to pardon his sin and to turn back with him so that he might worship the Lord. His admission came only after fear led him to acknowledge that he had disobeyed God, following a pattern in which wrongdoing is denied until the facts are undeniable. Smitten with agony and terror and filled with remorse and fear over being rejected, he made this plea for pardon and companionship in worship.
He hoped that Samuel's returning with him would mean his sentence would be reversed. His distress over the consequences centered on being dethroned and on his descendants losing the throne. His plea did not show true repentance or sorrow for sin but fear of punishment, with no true confession and a feeling of being mistreated.
He was more anxious to be honored before the people than to receive forgiveness and God's favor. He wanted Samuel's presence to preserve his authority and the people's loyalty, rather than to make a public confession and show true repentance. Samuel first refused his request, then agreed to appear with him before the elders and the people.
His example warns that persisting in one's own way and rejecting reproof leads to loss of honor and finally loss of the soul. As part of that example, those who refuse the Lord's counsel need to examine their past, because they may be appointed to destruction.