·belie\'e on Christ, to become pure, and to submit in all things to the yoke of Christ, is as dreadful in the sight of God as being an idolater or a vile deceiver? It is this Divine estimate of sin which alone explains the "many stripes" with wl,ich they will be punished who, knowing the Lord's will with respect to these matters, never- tl,eless prefer their own. It will be more tolerable in the day of judgment for Sodom than for some of our day (Matt: xi. 20-24). III. MAN'S CONDITION AND CONDUCT AFTER DELIBERATE REBEI\LION IS A REVELATION OF ITS EVIL NATURE.· All sin degrades and debases; it prevents clear vision of ,one's own condition and a true estimate of conduct. Sin is always self-apologetic. It enslaves its victims. The opinion of a morally fallen being on matters of high f'piritual import must always be discounted. Men in internal opposition to God are not safe guides in dealing with the loftiest problems of human existence. This general effect of sin is more manifest when a m_an has, after enjoying great advan- tages, deliberately preferred his own will to the clear will of God. He then enters ,nto darkness mo~t dense, and the fountain of moral thought and feeling becomes more corrupt. We see this in Saul's subsequent conduct and perverse reasoning with Samuel (vers. 20, 21). Even when conscience bega11 to be aroused by the impressive language of the prophet, he found a subtle evasion in that, as a king, he had done his part in placing Agag at the disposal of Samuel, but that the people were to blame in the matter of the spoil. Thus it is ever. Sin does not end in itself. It by its evil power induces self-complacency, creates ingenious excuses, prompts to observance of outward religious acts, throws blame on circumstances over which there is no· control, and even emboldens the soul to argue with the messe11g·ers of God. IV. ONE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCE OF REBELLION IS TO DISQUAI.IFY FOR SERVICE IN 'l'HE KINGDOM OF Goo. Apart from the personal effects of Saul's Hin, the relative effect was to unfit him for performing the part to which he had been called in the servic.:i of God. He was rejected from being king (ver. 23). God's sanction and blessing were henceforth to be withheld. He was to be king in name only. The life once promising good to Israel was to be unblest and fruitful in sorrows. This result follows from every preference of our own will. ,ve cease to hold the position and exercise the influence of God-made kings (Rev. i. 4, 5) in so far as we fail in perfect execution of the will of the King of king·s. It is possible for a man to proceed from step to step in deliberate rebellion till, both on account of his inward• moral decay and his pernicious influence, God sets him aside altogether. A pastor, a parent, a professed Christian may thus be practically disowned by Providence. How- ever he may continue to labour in some lower departments, the higher spiritual service of God will cease to be his. General lessons .~1. It is very dangerous to begin to compare our wishes and plans with the clear will of God; every thought should at once be brought into subjection. 2. Sudden and unusual outbursts of pious zeal may be a sign of an uneasy conscience ; steady growth is the proof of reality. 3. The folly of excuses for sin is seen by all except the sinner himself. 4. Sin, when ,ve are exalted to privileges, is doubly base (ver. 17). 5. ,ve must never subordinate ,vhat we may call general obedience for actual literal obedience to God's will (ver. 20). 6. Participation of others in our sin is no palliation of ours (ver. 21 ). 7. Property obtained by unholy menns is not acceptable to God when laid on his llltar for pro- fessedly religious purp,ises ( ver. 22). 8. Obedience in matters outside acts of worship is a condition of acceptable worship, but not the ground of our salvation. 9. Deceitfulness, depravity, and idolatry are the true und ruinous characteristics of every act of doing our own pleasure when professedly engaged in doing only the will of God (ver. 23).
Vers. 24-31.-Conviction of sin not repentance. The facts are-1. Saul, alleging fear of the people, admits his sin, and seeks Samuel's presence while he worships the Lord. 2. On Samuel refusing and turning away, Saul seizes and rends his •1:mnent, which circumstance is used as a sign that so the Lord had rent the kingdom trom San! trnd given it to a,:othcr. 3. On being assured that God's purpose wail inevocable, Saul rnlrcats, for tl:e sake of his credit among the people, that Samuel T2 TIIE .nnsr DOOK 01'' SAMUEL. [en. xv. 1-3!>