Saul's Excuses
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 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??