1 Samuel 15:35 And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul… Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul. There are many kinds of sorrow in the world. One is natural, such as is felt by men in temporal affliction. Another is spiritual, such as is felt by a penitent for his sin. A third is sympathetic, benevolent, Divine, such as is felt by a godly man over the ungodly. "I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved." Of this last Samuel had experience throughout his life (1 Samuel 3:15;. 4:11; 7:2; 8:3, 6), and more especially at the persistent transgression and irrevocable rejection of Saul. Observe of such sorrow, that - I. IT IS OCCASIONED BY A DEPLORABLE SIGHT. Look at it. A soul - 1. Failing to fulfil the purpose for which it was made, and "coming short of the glory of God." 2. Falling into degradation, misery, and woe. A ruined temple! A wandering star! (Jude 1:13). A discrowned monarch! A despairing spirit! Oh, what a contrast between what it might have been and what it is here and will be hereafter! 3. Inciting others to pursue the same path. II. IT IS AN EVIDENCE OF EXALTED PIETY, inasmuch as it shows - 1. Genuine zeal for the honour of God, whose law is "made void," whose goodness is despised, and whose claims are trampled in the dust. 2. Tender compassion toward men. "Charity to the soul is the soul of charity." 3. Intense sympathy with the noblest of men, with the Son of God, and with the eternal Father himself. "I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart," etc. (Romans 9:1-3). "O that thou hadst known," etc. (Luke 19:42). "O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments!" (Isaiah 48:18). III. IT IS SOMETIMES IMPROPERLY INDULGED (1 Samuel 16:1), as - 1. When it is mingled with feelings of personal disappointment and mortification, and of dissatisfaction with the ways of God. 2. When it is allowed to become a prolonged and all-absorbing emotion, to the exclusion of those considerations and feelings by which it ought to be modified and regulated. 3. When it produces despondency and fear (1 Samuel 16:2), weakens faith, and hinders exertion. IV. ITS IMPROPER INDULGENCE IS DIVINELY CORRECTED. By means of - 1. Gentle rebuke, indicating that it is useless, unreasonable, and reprehensible. 2. Clear and deep conviction of the over-ruling purpose of God, and unreserved submission to it. "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father," etc. (Matthew 11:25). 3. Renewed, benevolent, and hopeful activity. - D. Parallel Verses KJV: And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel. |
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