The Lord would have His people, under all circumstances, manifest implicit trust in Him. Although we cannot always understand the worKings of His providence, we should wait with patience and humility until He sees fit to enlighten us. We should beware of taking upon ourselves responsibilities which God has not authorized us to bear. Men frequently have too high an estimate of their own character or abilities. They may feel competent to undertake the most important work, when God sees that they are not prepared to perform aright the smallest and humblest duty (The Signs of the Times, August 10, 1882).
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13, 14. Saul′s Folly Leads to Rejection—Saul′s transgression proved him unworthy to be intrusted with sacred responsibilities. One who had himself so little reverence for God′s requirements, could not be a wise or safe leader for the nation. Had he patiently endured the divine test, the crown would have been confirmed to him and to his house. In fact, Samuel had come to Gilgal for this very purpose. But Saul had been weighed in the balance, and found wanting. He must be removed to make way for one who would sacredly regard the divine honor and authority (The Signs of the Times, August 3, 1882).
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After Whose Heart?—Saul had been after the heart of Israel, but David is a man after God′s own heart (The Signs of the Times, June 15, 1888).
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1, 6, 7. Jonathan an Instrument of God—These two men gave evidence that they were moving under the influence and command of a more than human general. To outward appearance, their venture was rash, and contrary to all military rules. But the action of Jonathan was not done in human rashness. He depended not on what he and his armor-bearer themselves could do; he was the instrument that God used in behalf of His people Israel. They made their plans, and rested their cause in the hands of God. If the armies of the Philistines challenged them, they would advance. If they said, Come, they would go forward. This was their sign, and the angels of God prospered them. They went forward, saying, “It may be that the Lord will work for us”(1 Samuel 14:6) (The Youth′s Instructor, November 24, 1898).
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11-15. Armies of Heaven Aided Jonathan—It would have been an easy matter for the Philistines to kill these two brave, daring men; but it did not enter into their minds that these two solitary men had come up with any hostile intent. The wondering men above looked on, too surprised to take in their possible object. They regarded these men as deserters, and permitted them to come without harm....
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This daring work sent a panic through the camp. There lay the dead bodies of twenty men, and to the sight of the enemy there seemed hundreds of men prepared for war. The armies of heaven were revealed to the opposing host of the Philistines (The Youth′s Instructor, November 24, 1898).
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24, 25. Honey of God′s Providing—This rash oath of Saul′s was a human invention. It was not inspired of God, and God was displeased with it. Jonathan and his armorbearer, who, through God, had wrought deliverance for Israel that day, had become weak through hunger. The people also were weary and hungry.
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“And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.”1 Samuel 14:25. This honey was of God′s own providing. He desired that the armies of Israel should partake of this food, and receive strength. But Saul, who was not under the direction of God, had interposed his rash oath (The Youth′s Instructor, December 1, 1898).
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Man-invented Tests Dishonor God—There are many who will lightly regard the tests which God has given, and will assume the responsibility of creating tests and prohibitions, as did Saul, which bring dishonor to God and evil to men (The Signs of the Times, June 1, 1888).
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37. Saul Did Not Sense His Own Guilt—When the people had satisfied their hunger, Saul proposed to continue the pursuit that night; but the priest suggested that it would be wiser first to ask counsel of God. This was done in the usual manner; but no answer came. Regarding this silence as a token of the Lord′s displeasure, Saul determined to discover the cause. Had he properly realized the sinfulness of His own course, he would have concluded that he himself was the guilty one. But failing to discern this, he gave command that the matter be decided by lot (The Signs of the Times, August 17, 1882).
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44 (Matthew 7:2). The Guilty Are Severe Judges—Those who are most ready to excuse or justify themselves in sin are often most severe in judging and condemning others. There are many today, like Saul, bringing upon themselves the displeasure of God. They reject counsel and despise reproof. Even when convinced that the Lord is not with them, they refuse to see in themselves ... the cause of their trouble. How many cherish a proud, boastful spirit, while they indulge in cruel judgment or severe rebuke of others really better in heart and life than they. Well would it be for such self-constituted judges to ponder those words of Christ: “With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again”Matthew 7:2. (The Signs of the Times, August 17, 1882).
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45. Danger in Following Blindly—God′s people of today are in danger of committing errors no less disastrous. We cannot, we must not, place blind confidence in any man, however high his profession of faith or his position in the church. We must not follow his guidance, unless the Word of God sustains him. The Lord would have His people individually distinguish between sin and righteousness, between the precious and the vile (The Signs of the Times, August 17, 1882).
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2, 3 (Exodus 17:14-16). Destruction of Amalek Not to Add to Israel′s Possessions—God did not wish His people to possess anything which belonged to the Amalekites, for His curse rested upon them and their possessions. He designed that they should have an end, and that His people should not preserve anything for themselves which He had cursed. He also wished the nations to see the end of that people who had defied Him, and to mark that they were destroyed by the very people they had despised. They were not to destroy them to add to their own possessions, or to get glory to themselves, but to fulfill the Word of the Lord spoken in regard to Amalek (The Spirit of Prophecy 1:364).
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3. Amalek Used Gifts With No Thought of Giver—That wicked people [the Amalekites] were dwelling in God′s world, the house which he had prepared for His faithful, obedient children. Yet they appropriated His gifts to their own use, without one thought of the Giver. The more blessings He poured upon them, the more boldly they transgressed against Him. Thus they continued to pervert His blessings and abuse His mercy....
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Our gracious God still bears long with the impenitent. He gives them light from heaven, that they may understand the holiness of His character, and the justice of His requirements. He calls them to repentance, and assures them of His willingness to forgive. But if they continue to reject His mercy, the mandate goes forth devoting them to destruction (The Signs of the Times, August 24, 1882).
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10-23. Stubbornness Made Saul′s Case Hopeless—It was Saul′s stubbornness that made his case hopeless, and yet how many venture to follow his example. The Lord in mercy sends words of reproof to save the erring, but they will not submit to be corrected. They insist that they have done no wrong, and thus resist the Spirit of God (The Review and Herald, May 7, 1895).
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17. God Guides the Humble and Consecrated—[1 Samuel 15:17 quoted.] Here Samuel points out the reason for Saul′s appointment to the throne of Israel. He had a humble opinion of his own capabilities, and was willing to be instructed. When the divine choice fell upon him, he was deficient in knowledge and experience, and had, with many good qualities, serious defects of character. But the Lord granted him the Holy Spirit as a guide and helper, and placed him in a position where he could develop the qualities requisite for a ruler of Israel.
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Should he trust to his own strength and judgment, Saul would move impulsively, and would commit grave errors. But if he would remain humble, seeking constantly to be guided by divine wisdom, and advancing as the providence of God opened the way, he would be enabled to discharge the duties of his high position with success and honor. Under the influence of divine grace, every good quality would be gaining strength, while evil traits would as steadily lose their power.
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