That we may understand exactly wherein Saul's conduct was exceptionable, I will shew,
I. How far it was good and commendable —
We by no means condemn it altogether ; for, in part, we think it deserving of praise. He did well,
a Job xxxiv. 18. b Tit. ii. 15.
1. In that he dared not to encounter his adversa- ries till he had implored help from God —
[What more becoming than this ? Sui'ely we may all learn from it. For, in oiu'selves, we are unable to do any good thing : and to undertake any thing in our own strength is the certain prelude to defeat *=. Nor is it in great and ar- duous matters alone that we should cry to God for help. Even " the thinking of a good thought" is beyond our power, without him"^. Under all circumstances, therefore, we must betake ourselves to God, that he may "help our infirmities'^;" and must " be strong only in the Lord, and in the power of his might ^."]
2. In that he sought after God in the ordinances of God's own appointment —
[" Burnt-offerings and peace-offerings" were appointed by God himself : the one to express our great need of mercy, through the sacrifice of Christ ; and the other to express our gratitude for mercies received through him. Both of these were called for, and, in fact, are required of us also conti- nually ; because there can be no situation so favourable, but we need mercy ; nor any situation so distressing, but we have abundant cause for thankfulness to Almighty God. The direc- tion given us is, " In every thing by prayer and supplication witli thanksgiving to make our requests known to God^." It is the due mixture of humiliation and gratitude that renders our addresses pleasing imto God. The very praises of all the heavenly hosts attest this to be the proper frame of a crea- ture in the presence of his Creator^: and therefore, whilst we applaud the union of both the offerings in the instance before us, let us take care to imitate it in all our addresses at the throne of grace.]
The reproof, however, that was given him, re- quires me to point out,
IL In what respects it was foolish and blame- worthy— At first sight, it seems as if he had usurped the priestly office : but I think that the enormity of such a crime could not fail to have been noticed in the reproof that was administered. I therefore forbear to allege that as any part of the accusation that is to be brought against him. His crime seems to have consisted principally in,
•^ John XV. 5. ^2 Cor. iii. 5. e Rom. viii. 26.
'" Eph. vi. 10. g Phil. i\\ G. '' Rev. v, 8, 9. and vii. 11.
Saul's impatience. I
( (
295.]
1. His unbelieving precipitancy, in curtailing the appointed time —
[It is evident, from the acknowledgment of Saul himself, that he had been commanded to wait seven days for Samuel, in order to receive direction from him. It is evident also, that though he had waited to the seventh day, he had not tarried to the close of it, but had, through impatience and unbelief, transgressed the divine command. His very apology shews this. His army were deserting him through fear ; and the Philistines were just at hand : and he could not wait another hour, lest he should be overwhelmed before he had made supplication to his God. But why should he offer sacri- fice, when that duty devolved not on him, but on Samuel alone ? He might have prayed to God as fervently as he pleased, and have urged every soldier in his army to do the same. This would have been no offence : it would rather have been pleasing and acceptable to God. But he yielded to mibelief, instead of waiting patiently upon God in an assured expectation of his promised aid. Now, the direction given b}^ God to all his people is, " He that believeth, shall not make haste'." The promise made to Abraham, relative to the deU- verance of his posterity from Egypt, was not performed till the very last day of the four hundred and thirty years was arrived : and, in appearance, the accomplishment of it was hopeless. But had God forgotten it ? Or did he suffer it to fail ? No : " on that selfsame day"' that he had so long before designated, "he brought them out:" and we, in like manner, "however long the vision of our God may tarry, should wait for it, as- sured that it shall not tarry one instant beyond the appointed time^," and that " not a jot or tittle of God's word shall ever fail."]