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24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have violated the command of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice.
25 Now then, please pardon my sin and return with me, so that I may worship the Lord.”
26 But 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.”
27 Then Samuel turned to go, but Saul grasped the edge of his robe, and it tore off.
28 So Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor, who is better than you.
29 Also the Glory of Israel will not lie nor change His mind; for He is not a man, that He would change His mind.”
30 Then Saul said, “I have sinned; but please honor me now before the elders of my people and before all Israel, and go back with me, so that I may worship the Lord your God.”
31 So Samuel went back following Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.
In the previous passage, we noted that making excuses is one of the characteristics of a sinner. Another characteristic is to show superficial repentance. Here too, Saul says, “I have sinned.” However, this is merely an acknowledgment of the fact that he sinned, far from true repentance. In the Bible, there are several individuals who only expressed mere regret just like Saul. (1) Pharaoh in the Book of Exodus is one example. (2) Achan in the Book of Joshua is another. (3) Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, is another example. While they expressed regret, they did not show true repentance that leads to life. Furthermore, Saul says, “I feared the people and listened to their voice.” Fearing people more than God is the third characteristic of a sinner. Such a person is not fit to lead others.
Saul asked Samuel to accompany him to worship the Lord. When Samuel firmly refused, Saul tried to hold him back by grabbing the edge of his robe, but it tore off. Seeing this, Samuel interpreted the situation symbolically. He declared that the tearing of the robe signified the kingdom being torn from Saul and given to his neighbor better than him. This neighbor is David, but Samuel did not know this at the time. At this point, Saul’s reign was effectively over. The phrase, “He is not a man, that he would change his mind,” means that God’s decision is irrevocable. Even so, Saul asked Samuel to at least allow him to save his dignity. Samuel complied with his request, accompanying him to where the people were, and there they worshiped the Lord. This passage reveals Samuel’s kindness. Saul seemed more interested in winning the favor of the people and maintaining his dignity among them. The Apostle Paul said, “If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10). As Christians, let’s go forth into the world with the conviction that there is nothing to fear except God Himself.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, free me from a life of seeking to please others. You alone are my God and Savior. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray Amen.