The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 283

I. THE rARAMonn WORTH OF OBEDIENCE, considered in relation to offerings and tiacrifices and other external forms of worship (ver. 22). 1. It is often less regarded l,y men than such forms. They mistake the proper meaning and purpose of them entertain false and ~uperstitious notions concerning them, and find it easier and mor~ nccording to their sinful dispositions to serve God (since they must serve him some• how) by them than in self-denial and submission to his will. It is indeed by no means an uncommon thing for those who are consciously leading a sinful life to be diligent and zealous in outward religious worship, and make use of the fruit of their disobedience "to sacrifice unto the Lord," imagining that it will be pleasing to him and make compensation for their defects in other things. 2. lt is absolutely neces'. .~ary in order that they may be acceptable to God. The spirit of obedience and love is the soul of external services of every kind, and without it .they are worthless. "To love him with all the heart is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices" (Mark xii. 33). The one ought never to be disjoined from the other, but it is often done ; and they are set in contrast to each other. " If we were to say charity is better than church-going, we should be understood to mean that it is better than such church-going as is sewred from charity. For if they were united they would not be contrasted. The soul is of more value than the body. But it is not contrasted unless tl1ey come into competition with one another, a.nd their interests (although they cannot in truth be so) seem to be separated" (Pusey, 'Minor Prophets,' Hosea vi. 6). "The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination'' (Prov. xxi. 27). 3. It is in- comparably superior to them, considered as needful and appointed modes of serving· God (apart from the "wicked mind" with which they are sometimes observed). Because--(1) The one is universal; the other is partial, and really included in it. (2) The one is moral, the other ceremonial. It is a II weightier matter of the law." (3) The one is of a man himself, the willing sacrifice of his own will; the other of only a porlion of his powers or possessions. And II how much better is a man than a sheep l" (4) The one is essential, being founded upon the natural relation of man to God·; the other is circumstantial, arising from man's earthly and sinful condition. "Angels obey, but do not sacrifice." (5) The one is the reality, the other the -S'JJmbol. (6) The one is the end, the other the means. Sacrifice is the way of the Binner back to obedience, and the means of his preservation therein. Even the one perfect sacrifice of Christ would not have been needed if man had been obedient. its design is not merely to afford a sufficient reason for the remission of punishment in a system of moral goYernment, but also to restore to obedience (Titus ii. 14 ). (7) The one is temporary, the other is eternal. The sacrifices of the former dis• pensation have now been abolished ; and how much of the present form of Divin_e 1,ervice will vanish awav when we behold tlie face of God l But love and obedi- ence will "never fail." • Since obedience is thus the one thing, the essential, more important than anything else, it should hold the supreme place in our hearts and \ives. II. THE IDOLATROUS CHARACTER OF DISOBEDIENCE (ver. 22). In proportion to the excellence of obedience is the wickedness of disobedience. 1. It is a common thing for men to make liglit of it, especially in actions to which they are disposed, or which they have committed, being blinded by their evil desires and passions. 2. In the sight of God every act of disobedience is exceedingly hateful. "Thon art of purer eyes than to behold evil" (Hab. i. 13) without punishing it. 3. In the light of truth it is seen to be the same in principle as those transgressions on which ~he severest condemnation is pronounced, and which are acknowledged to be deservmg of the strongest reprobation. It is probable that Saul had already taken measuree to put down the "sin of divination" ( eh. xxviii. 9), and prided himself upon his zeal ngainst idolatry; but he was acting in the _spirit of that which he_ C?ndemned,. and was an idolater at heart. For he was turnrng away from God, res1stmg and reJect• ing him, and making an idol of self, which is done by all who (in selfish and s_upe:• fititious fear or desire) seek divination (witchcraft) and trust in an idol (" which_ 1s 110thing in the world") and teraphim (household gods-eh. xix. 13). "The decim- ation~ from religion, besides the privative, which is atheism, and the branches thereof, ,are tl,rec--heresies, idolatry, and witchcraft. Heresies when we serve the trJe God "·ith a false \\·orsl,ip ; idolatry when we worship false gods, supposing them to be CH. X\'. 1-35.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL.