The Lord said to Samuel, “I am sorry that I made Saul king; he has turned away from me and disobeyed my commands.”
This mirrors God’s response in Genesis 6:5-8 where it states he was “sorry” he created man. Regret seen from a certain perspective perhaps but we have to remember that we were chosen before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). Behind appearances there are deeper truths (for those relative to the Great Flood, see the article on Noah). Here in these events? That we are so easily seduced by appearances – unlike God (1 Samuel 16:6-7; Isaiah 55:8-9). Help me to see things as they are, Lord.
Early the following morning he went off to find Saul.
Obedience: always early the following day (Genesis 22:3).
…Saul had gone to the town of Carmel, where he had built a monument to himself…
Living in a dream world. Do we build monuments to ourselves – if nothing else only in our own minds? Help me Lord to live in reality and to see myself as I truly am – not as how I’d like to see myself.
Samuel went up to Saul, who greeted him, saying, “The Lord bless you, Samuel! I have obeyed the Lord’s command.”
Beware those who wear their religion on their sleeve (Matthew 6:5). How important it is to carefully weigh how people use their words: is it communicate content or create an effect? Here Saul tries to set the tone as having done the Lord’s will. In 1 Samuel 23:21-23, it’s to get what he wants (i.e., to kill his rival David). Elsewhere we see that Saul doesn’t respect his word (1 Samuel 14:44-45). A person can wear many faces but they are all rooted in the same source (James 3:11-12).
Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel?”
(I switched to the NIV translation here.) How true! Saul’s humility was seen early on for all to see (1 Samuel 10:22-24)! So how is it that just a few years later the kingship that was given as a gift to administer became an entitlement to kill for (1 Samuel 20:30-31)? Never were the words of Abraham Lincoln more true:
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.