1 Samuel 15:11-23 It repents me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and has not performed my commandments… This fragment of ancient history teaches — I. THAT PARTIAL OBEDIENCE TO THE COMMANDS OF GOD IS NOT SATISFACTORY TO HIM. II. THAT THE PERFORMANCE OF ONE DUTY CANNOT ATONE FOR THE NEGLECT OF ANOTHER. III. THAT THERE IS IN SIN A SAD TENDENCY TO SELF-MULTIPLICATION. History abounds in examples of this self-propagating power of evil. Men get entangled in wickedness, and then, with a view to free themselves, they plunge deeper into the labyrinth. "I am in blood Stepp'd in so far, that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er." — Shakespeare.The beginning of evil is like the escape of water from a great canal or capacious reservoir; it is like the falling of a spark upon combustibles. No one can tell when or where its ravages wilt end. Will they ever totally end? Beware of such beginnings! IV. THAT OBEDIENCE TO POPULAR DEMANDS IS NOT SYNONYMOUS WITH OBEDIENCE TO GOD. (W. Jones.) Parallel Verses KJV: It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night. |
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