So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD.
Saul worshiped the Lord after prevailing on Samuel to turn back with him and take part with him in a public religious service. He urged Samuel's presence not from true repentance but to preserve his own standing before the people. His worship did not spring from a broken heart, for he failed to confess his sin.
Samuel consented to return with him by divine direction, to afford no occasion for revolt. Even in returning he was only a silent witness to the service. Saul's course illustrates denying wrongdoing until the facts become undeniable, then failing to confess and instead regarding oneself as mistreated.
Saul worshiped the Lord after prevailing on Samuel to turn back with him and take part with him in a public religious service. He urged Samuel's presence not from true repentance but to preserve his own standing before the people. His worship did not spring from a broken heart, for he failed to confess his sin.
Samuel consented to return with him by divine direction, to afford no occasion for revolt. Even in returning he was only a silent witness to the service. Saul's course illustrates denying wrongdoing until the facts become undeniable, then failing to confess and instead regarding oneself as mistreated.