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. 1 Samuel 15:11
 
    When called to the throne, Saul had a humble opinion of his own capabilities, and was willing to be instructed. He was deficient in knowledge and experience and had 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.  Had he remained humble, seeking constantly to be guided by divine wisdom, he would have been enabled to discharge the duties of his high position with success and honor.  Under the influence of divine grace every good quality would have been gaining strength, while evil tendencies would have lost their power.  This is the work which the Lord proposes to do for all who consecrate themselves to Him.  There are many whom He has called to positions in His work because they have a humble and teachable spirit.  In His providence He places them where they may learn of Him.  He will reveal to them their defects of character, and to all who seek His aid He will give strength to correct their errors. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 632)
 
Reflection:  Success made Saul self-confident.  Victory in battle, from the very beginning, had kindled pride in his heart.  How easy it is for the prideful heart to turn from the reproofs of God.

And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings.  And he offered the burnt offering.  1 Samuel 13:9
 
    At Gilgal, but a short time before, Saul had presumed to officiate as priest, contrary to the command of God.  When reproved by Samuel, he had stubbornly justified himself.  Now, when his own command was disobeyed--though the command was unreasonable and had been violated through ignorance--the king and father sentenced his son to death.
 
    The people refused to allow the sentence to be executed.  Braving the anger of the king, they declared, "Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel?  God forbid: as the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day."  The proud monarch dared not disregard this unanimous verdict, and the life of Jonathan was preserved.
 
    Saul could not but feel that his son was preferred before him, both by the people and by the Lord. Jonathan's deliverance was a severe reproof to the king's rashness.  He felt a presentiment that his curses would return upon his own head.  He did not longer continue the war with the Philistines, but returned to his home, moody and dissatisfied. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 625)
 
Reflection:  Those who excuse and justify their own sins are often the most severe in judging and condemning others (Patriarchs and Prophets, 625).  We would do well to remember Jesus words, "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).

And Samuel said to all the people. See ye him whom the Lord hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people?  And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.  1 Samuel 10:24
 
    In Saul God had given to Israel a king after their own heart, as Samuel said when the kingdom was confirmed to Saul at Gilgal, "Behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired" (1 Samuel 12:13).  Comely in person, of noble stature and princely bearing, his appearance accorded with their conception of royal dignity; and his personal valor and his ability in the conduct of armies were the qualities which they regarded as best calculated to secure respect and honor from other nations.  They felt little solicitude that their king should possess those higher qualities which alone could fit him to rule with justice and equity.  They did not ask for one who had true nobility of character, who possessed the love and fear of God.  They had not sought council from God as to the qualities a ruler should possess, in order to preserve their distinctive, holy character as His chosen people.  They were not seeking God's way, but their own way.  Therefore God gave them such a king as they desired--one whose character was a reflection of their own.  Their hearts were not in submission to God, and their king also was unsubdued by divine grace.  Under the rule of this king they would obtain the experience necessary in order that they might see their error, and return to their allegiance to God. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 636)
 
Reflection:  Often God, out of love, will allow us to have what we want even though it's not good; but He even uses this for our character building and learning process.

And said unto him, Behold, thou are old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.  1 Samuel 8:5
 
    In the rejection of the ways of God for the ways of men, the downfall of Israel began.  Thus also it continued, until the Jewish people became a prey to the very nations whose practices they had chosen to follow.
 
    As a nation the children of Israel failed of receiving the benefits that God desired to give them.  They did not appreciate His purpose or co-operate in its execution.  But though individuals and peoples may thus separate themselves from Him, His purpose for those who trust Him is unchanged.  "Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever" (Ecclesiastes 3:14).
 
    The experiences of Israel were recorded for our instruction.  "All these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come" (1 Corinthians 10:11).  With us, as with Israel of old, success in education depends on fidelity in carrying out the Creator's plan.  Adherence to the principles of God's word will bring as great blessings to us as it would have brought to the Hebrew people. (Education, 50)
 
Reflection:  Even today, we readily turn to men for direction instead of the Lord.  God's word will bring great blessings to us and build our character for the heavenly kingdom.

Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.  1 Samuel 2:12
 
    Eli was priest and judge in Israel.  He held the highest and most responsible positions among the people of God.  As a man divinely chosen for the sacred duties of the priesthood, and set over the land as the highest judicial authority, he was looked up to as an example, and he wielded a great influence over the tribes of Israel.  But although he had been appointed to govern the people, he did not rule his own household.  Eli was an indulgent father.  Loving peace and ease, he did not exercise his authority to correct the evil habits and passions of his children.  Rather than contend with them or punish them, he would submit to their will and give them their own way.  Instead of regarding the education of his sons as one of the most important of his responsibilities, he treated the matter as of little consequence.  The priest and judge of Israel had not been left in darkness as to the duty of restraining and governing the children that God had given to his care.  But Eli shrank from this duty, because it involved crossing the will of his sons, and would make it necessary to punish and deny them.  Without weighing the terrible consequences that would follow his course, he indulged his children in whatever they desired and neglected the work of fitting them for the service of God and the duties of life" (Patriarchs and Prophets, 575)
 
Reflection:  While Abraham commanded his children, Eli allowed his children to control him.  Never should we allow our children to rule us.  Let us, as parents, work together in the love of Christ and teach our children the principles of God's love.

Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord.  And he worshipped the Lord there.  1 Samuel 1:28
 
    As soon as the little one was old enough to be separated from his mother, she fulfilled her vow.  She loved her child with all the devotion of a mother's heart; day by day, as she watched his expanding powers and listened to his childish prattle, her affections entwined about him more closely.  He was her only son, the special gift of Heaven; but she had received him as a treasure consecrated to God, and she would not withhold from the Giver His own.
 
    Once more Hannah journeyed with her husband to Shiloh and presented to the priest, in the name of God, her precious gift, saying, "For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Him: therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord."  Eli was deeply impressed by the faith and devotion of this woman of Israel.  Himself an overindulgent father, he was awed and humbled as he beheld this mother's great sacrifice in parting with her only child, that she might devote him to the service of God.  He felt reproved for his own selfish love, and in humiliation and reverence he bowed before the Lord and worshiped. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 571)
 
Reflection:  Hannah trained Samuel to love and reverence God as a young child; now she would leave him with the high priest to receive instruction.  The promise she made was not easy to keep.  Even Eli was awed and humbled.  Today, let us build a noble character in promise-keeping, no matter how difficult it may be.

And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.  1 Samuel 1:2
 
    Elkanah, a Levite of Mount Ephraim, was a man of wealth and influence, and one who loved and feared the Lord.  His wife, Hannah, was a woman of fervent piety.  Gentle and unassuming, her character was marked with deep earnestness and lofty faith.
 
    The blessing so earnestly sought by every Hebrew was denied this godly pair; their home was not gladdened by the voice of childhood; and the desire to perpetuate his name let the husband--as it had many others--to contract a second marriage.  But this step, prompted by a lack of faith in God, did not bring happiness.  Sons and daughters were added to the household; but the joy and beauty of God's sacred institution had been marred and the peace of the family was broken.  Peninnah, the new wife, was jealous and narrow-minded, and she bore herself with pride and insolence.  To Hannah, hope seemed crushed and life a weary burden; yet she met the trial with uncomplaining meekness.
 
    The burden which she could share with no earthly friend she cast upon God.  Earnestly she pleaded that He would take away her reproach and grant her the precious gift of a son to nurture and train for Him.  And she made a solemn vow that if her request were granted, she would dedicate her child to God, even from its birth. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 569)
 
Reflection:  Hannah's prayer was granted: she would bear a son, and she would name him Samuel.  Hannah would also keep her promise to the Lord.  Let us remember to keep our promises also.

And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead.  And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.  Ruth 2:20
 
    Of Christ's relation to His people, there is a beautiful illustration in the laws given to Israel.  When through poverty a Hebrew had been forced to part with his patrimony, and to sell himself as a bondservant, the duty of redeeming him and his inheritance fell to the one who was nearest of kin. (see Leviticus 25:25, 47-49; Ruth 2:20.)  So the work of redeeming us and our inheritance, lost through sin, fell upon Him who is "near of kin" unto us.  It was to redeem us that He became our kinsman.  Closer than father, mother, brother, friend, or lover is the Lord our Saviour.  "Fear not," He says, "for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou are Mine."  "Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life" (Isaiah 43:1, 14).
 
    Christ loves the heavenly beings that surround His throne; but what shall account for the great love wherewith He has loved us?  We cannot understand it, but we can know it true in our own experience. (The Desire of Ages, 327)
 
Reflection:  If we claim Christ as our Elder Brother, we should also regard one another as brothers and sisters of our Lord.

And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.  Judges 10:10
 
    Again the people sought help from Him whom they had so forsaken and insulted.  'The children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, We have sinned against Thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.'  But sorrow had not worked true repentance.  The people mourned because their sins had brought suffering upon themselves, but not because they had dishonored God by transgression of His holy law.  True repentance is more than sorrow for sin.  It is a resolute turning away from evil.
 
    The Lord answered them through one of His prophets: "Did I not deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?  The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to Me, and I delivered you out of their hand.  Yet ye have forsaken Me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more.  Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation."
 
    These solemn and fearful words carry the mind forward to another scene--the great day of final judgment--when the rejecters of God's mercy and the despisers of His grace shall be brought face to face with His justice. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 557)
 
Reflection:  We too can forsake the Lord for other gods.  They may be in the form of celebrities, money, fame, fashion, or even our cherished opinions.  These are not idols of metal, stone, or wood, but they're idols nonetheless.

And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.  Judges 7:4
 
    "All the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel."  The entire force under Gideon's command numbered only thirty-two thousand men; but with the vast host of the enemy spread out before him, the word of the Lord came to him: "The people that are with thee are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against Me, saying Mine own hand hath saved me.  Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from Mount Gilead."  Those who were unwilling to face danger and hardships, or whose worldly interests would draw their hearts from the work of God, would add no strength to the armies of Israel.  Their presence would prove only a cause of weakness. (Patriarchs and Prophets, 548)
 
Reflection:  Had Israel triumphed with their many soldiers, even the cowards would have taken credit for the victory.  So God greatly reduced their numbers.  Let us never forget that it is trust and faith in the One who is mighty that wins battles.