Bible Commentaries

On the morning of the day following Saul's meeting with and eating with Samuel, Samuel told him of his election by God to be king of the nation. This communication was made when they were quite alone, even the servant in attendance on them having been sent on before. The terms of the appointment were definite and solemn. It is easy to understand how startling a thing it must have been to this man. Three signs ratifying the authority of the appointment were promised, and all were granted. Thus no room was left for doubt in the mind of Saul as to this being the definite call of God.

This took place at Mizpah. How long a time elapsed between this divine appointment and Saul's formal presentation to the people we have no means of knowing. Right here, at the beginning of the story, we have the first manifestation of that weakness of character which eventuated in his ultimate failure. Notwithstanding that he had received so clear a demonstration of the will of God, on the day when he was to be presented to the people he was found hiding away among the baggage. Some have treated this as an evidence of modesty, and as manifesting an excellent trait in his character.

It is well that we remember that modesty becomes sin when it prevents any man from stepping at once into a place to which he knows that God is calling him. It is by no means an uncommon failure, and the very fact that modesty is in itself a virtue makes the peril all the more subtle. The standard by which conduct is ever to be measured is the standard of simple loyalty to the will of God. If even a virtue interpose, it thereby becomes a vice.