The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 281

Vers. 12-21. (GILGAL.)-EXC'ltSes for disobedience. 1. Samuel met Saul at Gi'.lgal. It was a sacred spot, and a we11-known scene of important events in former time and in more recent years. There the kingdom had been established (eh. xi. 15) . 'snd Saul "had solemnly pledged him and the people to unconditional obedience.'? There also he had been previously rebuked and: warned ( eh. xiii. 13). And tJiither he repaired ostE'~sibly to offer the ~acrifices of thanksgiving for victory, really to make a boastful display and confirm Ins worldly power. How strangely and intimately are particular places associated· with the moral life of individuals and nations I 2. The interview (like the former) appears to have been held in pi·ivate. The sentence of rejection was beard by Saul alone, and long kept by him as a dreadful secret. Yet it was probably surmised by many from his breach with Samuel, and was gradually re,·ealed by the course of events. The sacred history was written from a theocratic point of Yiew, and indicates the principles of which those events were the outcome. 3. The appearance of Samuel was an arraignment of the disobedient king before the !ribunal of !)ivine justice. Blinded in part and self-deceived, he- made an ostentat10us profess10n of regard for the prophet (ver. 13), and wjth thi- • assumption of perfect innocence and praiseworthy obedience uttered-." the Pharisee'~ boast"-" I have performed tl1e commandment of Jehovah." His subsequent con- fession pro,·ed the insincerity of his declaration. His disobedience was.crowned with falsehood and liypocris1;. When formally called to account (ver. 14), be forthwith began to justify himself and make excuses for bis conduct, such as transgressors are- commonly accustomed to make. They were- . . I. ExcEEDI!'<GLY YAnIED. He - 1. Attributes to other persons what caI)not be denied to ha,e occurred, and seeks to transfer to them the blame which is due to, himself. " They h:\ ,-c brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of tlie sheep and of the oxen" (ver. 15). So spoke Adam and Eve at the. -commencement of human transgression and human excuses (Gen. iii. 13). On a former occasion, when desirous of having his own way, he had not been so considera_te of their wishes or so compliant (eh. xiv. 24, 39, 45).. "If this excuse were false, where was the integrity and honour of the monarch? If it were true, where was his. devotion and obedience? And whether true or false, how utterly unworthy did it prove him of continuing the servant and viceroy of the King of Israel'' (Le Bas). 2. Protests good intentions, and even religious and commendable motives. " The· people spared the best to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God ; " whereby he seeks to g·ain the approval of the prophet, but betrays his own inward alienation from the Lord, for he cannot truly say "my God" (Matt. xxiii. 14) ; and whilst he has regard to the outward ceremonies of the law, he knows not ( or wilfully disregards it) that by the law the sacrifices of "devoted" things were altogether prohibited (Deut. xiii. 15 ; Num. xxxi. 48). 3. Professes !tis faitliful obedience. "And the rest we have- utterly destroyed." Again and again he dcc:lares his innocence (vers. 20, 21), and insinuates, that instead of being reproved by the prophet, he ought to be commended, by him for his zeal. 4. Asserts complete readiness to meet whatever charge may be preferred again8t l1im. "Say on" (ver. lG). "See how sin is multiplied by sin •. Tl1e transgressor of God's command stands fortl1 as the accuser of the people, the- speaker of gross falsehood. The spirit of disobedience evoked as with the rod of an, enclianter those other agents of iniquity from their lurlting-place; and lo I tl:\ey sprang forth to do his bidding. Verily their name was legion, for they were mnny,. (Anderson, 'Cloud of Witnesses,' ii. 350). . II. FAITHFULLY EXPOSED. Samuel's fidelity, moral courage, and dignit.y, mingl,ed with something of bitter disappointm,mt and sorrowful resentment, are speciully noteworthy. He-1. l'oint8 to incontestable fact. "What is this bleating of sh~ep in mine ears, and the lowing of oxen which I hear?" (ver. 14). It fl_atly contrad1cti; thy statement, reveals thy sin, and exposes thy excuses. Between 1t and thy duty tl,ere is a contradiction which no explanation can remove. Sin cannot be wholly concealed. "God knows how to bring it to lig-ht, however great the care with which it may be cloaked." He was conYicted of it by tl.e voices of the animals which CII. xv. 1-35, l THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 283