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Shortly after Saul began to reign as king
over Israel the Philistines were provoked to war. The man of
God, Samuel, set A time for offering sacrifice unto Jehovah, and
evoking His blessings, but Saul did not wait for Samuel.
Although Saul was g Benjamite with no authority to serve at the
altar, he took it upon himself to make the burnt offering. (1
Sam. 13:8-15)
He explained it like this: "Because I
saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest
not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines
assembled themselves together at Michmash; therefore said I, Now
will the Philistines come down upon me to Gilgal, and I have not
entreated the favor of Jehovah; I forced myself therefore, and
offered the burnt-offering."
The people were scattered —" Any thing
to keep the people together! He was more concerned
with this than in reliance upon the power of God.
"Thou camest not —" Samuel was
late, and Saul used this fault (?) to justify his own error.
Even if Samuel was at fault, two wrongs can not make a
right. Saul was
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excuse making.
"The Philistines Assembled —"
Saul sought to justify his wrongdoing on the basis of the
enemy's strength. We must have "brotherhood"
organizations because denominations are so large. Saul, and his
children, admit a lack of faith in the way and power of God.
"And I had not entreated favor —"
This display of piety is standard procedure — with some openly
defending the "pious in error". But God says, your
iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your
sins have hid His face from you, so that He will not hear."
(Isa. 59:1-2)
So I forced myself —" Oh, you
hypocrite!! This admits he knew his actions were wrong, but he
presents his violation of conscience as a virtue.
But Samuel said, "Thou hast done
foolishly; thou hast not kept the commandment of Jehovah thy
God,... thy kingdom shall not continue: Jehovah hath sought Him
a man after His own heart." BROTHER, WILL YOU HEED THIS??
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