Thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee.
One sin too many
The whole story affords an extensive illustration of sin in almost all of its phases of manifestation as judged by the righteous law of God.
1. We discover the simple nature of sin: it is disobedience of a Divine command.
2. We learn, likewise, a lesson concerning the wide reach of sin. Saul felt quite independent in his disobedience It is not possible for any man to keep his sin all to himself. This universe is balanced with great nicety. It cannot endure a sinner’s perversity without suffering any more than an oarsman can tolerate a perverse boy in a boat; every time the self-willed creature steps across the thwart he rocks the vessel, and makes it uncomfortable and perilous for each one who has anything to do with him.
3. Next to this, we discover an illustration of the bold effrontery of sin. Iniquity often tries to carry off shame with a show of daring, and attempts to restore its self-confidence with a complacency of self-congratulation.
4. Now comes a lesson concerning the certain discovery of sin. Guilt always feels lonely; and yet, curiously enough, always imagines that everybody knows about the crime. Conscience keeps the culprit excited, for he understands that nature positively abhors transgression of law.
5. Once more: the story gives us an illustration of the evasive meanness of sin.
6. Then we have a lesson concerning the hypocritical excuses offered for sin.
7. Now just at this point we receive a lesson concerning the just condemnation of sin.
8. There is likewise here an illustration of the aggregating force of sin. It is hardly worth while to attempt to enumerate the acts of wickedness which followed directly upon this first dereliction of Saul: treachery, lying, vanity, covetousness, hypocrisy--these were among them. There are degrees of depravity, no doubt; but all sin is bad, and tends to what is worse.
9. Still another lesson meets us here, and now it is concerning the inevitable result of sin. Saul had reached the limit of Divine forbearance. Indeed, he had already committed one sin too many. It was of no use for him to plead for pardon any more. There is something very strange in the subsequent career of this monarch; he seems bewildered and off his balance. All sin left to itself is hopeless. The kingdom was taken from this man so that he should not injure anyone else any more. Even heathen people know that is lust. When we were at school we used to declaim this sentence from Demosthenes’ oration: “It is not possible, O Athenians! that a power should be permanent which is marked with injustice, perjury, and falsehood.” Hence, finally, sin becomes massed and destructive. It is an Arab saying that we so often quote: “The last straw breaks the camel’s back.” No; it is the whole load that kills the camel, but it is the last straw which makes the load complete and intolerable. When the fall of the beast comes, all the burden tells. A time arrives at the last when just one more little act of rebellion against God discharges all the violence of Divine wrath in an absolute reprobation. (C. S. Robinson, D. D.)
Samuel declaring the deposition of Saul
Few characters more blameless than that of Samuel.
I. His office. This was to declare the will of God. He was not called to decide or to adjudicate, but to declare. When Saul was called to the kingdom, Samuel was employed to declare to him the call of God (1 Samuel 9:17; 1 Samuel 9:20): He did not select, but declare God’s selection. So when Saul was to be set aside. Samuel was employed to declare his deposition (1 Samuel 15:28). He did not depose, but declared God’s deposition
II. The spirit in which he acted.
1. He was faithful to the Lord who sent him. He faithfully convicted Saul of his disobedience (1 Samuel 15:14; 1 Samuel 15:17). He showed him the hollowness of his vain excuses (1 Samuel 15:22-23). He fearlessly and faithfully told him that the Lord had that day rent the kingdom from him (1 Samuel 15:26). Learn that those who have a message from God must give it faithfully.
2. He was most tender to the sinner to whom he was sent. Had he given way to personal jealousy, he might have been pleased at the fall of Saul; for when he was old the people had asked for a king in a most ungrateful spirit.
But he showed no such mean jealousy.
1. When he heard of Saul’s fault he was grieved and spent the whole night in prayer (1 Samuel 15:11). He did not give his reproof in a hard and unfeeling spirit, but with a sorrowing heart. The lips that seemed so severe in declaring judgment had been employed all night in pleading for mercy.
2. When the sentence of God was announced, he did all he could to mitigate the pain. It is the duty of the minister faithfully to denounce sin; but if he would do so effectually, he must prepare the way by tenderness, tears, and prayers; and he must accompany his painful message by a clear evidence of sorrowful tenderness towards the sinner. Nothing tends more to harden sinners than hard denunciation. (E. Horne, M. D.)