Though Saul’s conscience appeared clear at the moment, the bleating of the flocks spoke forth eloquently of Saul’s disobedience and of the fact that his conscience was not dependable. There is such a thing as having the conscience seared with a hot iron (1 Tim. 4:2), instead of having it purged from dead works (Heb. 9:14) and void of offense (Acts 24:16). Since his anointing, Saul had demonstrated many noble traits of character, and Samuel loved him, much as Jesus loved Judas. But the acquisition of power had changed the man into a despot who would brook no interference. While he was in the very act of proclaiming his obedience, the flocks were loudly proclaiming his disobedience.