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death this day： for today the Lord hath wrought salvation in Israel。〃 Here
Saul gave evidence of the change that had taken place in his character。
Instead of taking honor to himself； he gave the glory to God。 Instead of
showing a desire for revenge； he manifested a spirit of compassion and
forgiveness。 This is unmistakable evidence that the grace of God dwells in
the heart。
Samuel now proposed that a national assembly should be convoked at Gilgal；
that the kingdom might there be publicly confirmed to Saul。 It was done；
〃and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord；
and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly。〃
Gilgal had been the place of Israel's first encampment in the Promised Land。
It was here that Joshua； by divine direction； set up the pillar of twelve
stones to commemorate the miraculous passage of the Jordan。 Here
circumcision had been renewed。 Here they had kept the first Passover after
the sin at Kadesh and the desert sojourn。 Here the manna ceased。 Here the
Captain of the Lord's host had revealed Himself as chief in command of the
armies of Israel。 From this place they marched to the overthrow of Jericho
and the conquest of Ai。 Here Achan met the penalty
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of his sin； and here was made that treaty with the Gibeonites which punished
Israel's neglect to ask counsel of God。 Upon this plain； linked with so many
thrilling associations； stood Samuel and Saul； and when the shouts of
welcome to the king had died away； the aged prophet gave his parting words
as ruler of the nation。
〃Behold；〃 he said； 〃I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said
unto me； and have made a king over you。 And now； behold； the king walketh
before you： and I am old and gray… headed； 。 。 。 and I have walked before
you from my childhood unto this day。 Behold； here I am： witness against me
before the Lord； and before His anointed： whose ox have I taken？ or whose
ass have I taken？ or whom have I defrauded？ whom have I oppressed？ or of
whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith？ and I
will restore it you。〃
With one voice the people answered； 〃Thou hast not defrauded us； nor
oppressed us； neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand。〃
Samuel was not seeking merely to justify his own course。 He had previously
set forth the principles that should govern both the king and the people；
and he desired to add to his words the weight of his own example。 From
childhood he had been connected with the work of God； and during his long
life one object had been ever before himthe glory of God and the highest
good of Israel。
Before there could be any hope of prosperity for Israel they must be led to
repentance before God。 In consequence of sin they had lost their faith in
God and their discernment of His power and wisdom to rule the nationlost
their confidence in His ability to vindicate His cause。 Before they could
find true peace they must be led to see and confess the very sin of which
they had been guilty。 They had declared the object of the demand for a king
to be； 〃That our king may judge us； and go out before us； and fight our
battles。〃 Samuel recounted the history of Israel； from the day when God
brought them from Egypt。 Jehovah； the King of kings； had gone out before
them and had fought their battles。 Often their sins had sold them into the
power of their enemies； but no sooner did they turn from their evil ways
than God's mercy raised up a deliverer。 The Lord sent Gideon and Barak； and
〃Jephthah； and Samuel； and delivered
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you out of the hand of your enemies on every side； and ye dwelt safe。〃 Yet
when threatened with danger they had declared； 〃A king shall reign over us；〃
when； said the prophet； 〃Jehovah your God was your King。〃
〃Now therefore；〃 continued Samuel； 〃stand and see this great thing； which
the Lord will do before your eyes。 Is it not wheat harvest today？ I will
call unto the Lord； and He shall send thunder and rain； that ye may perceive
and see that your wickedness is great； which ye have done in the sight of
the Lord； in asking you a king。 So Samuel called unto the Lord； and the Lord
sent thunder and rain that day。〃 At the time of wheat harvest； in May and
June； no rain fell in the East。 The sky was cloudless； and the air serene
and mild。 So violent a storm at this season filled all hearts with fear。 In
humiliation the people now confessed their sinthe very sin of which they
had been guilty： 〃Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God； that we die
not： for we have added unto all our sins this evil； to ask us a king。〃
Samuel did not leave the people in a state of discouragement； for this would
have prevented all effort for a better life。 Satan would lead them to look
upon God as severe and unforgiving； and they would thus be exposed to
manifold temptations。 God is merciful and forgiving； ever desiring to show
favor to His people when they will obey His voice。 〃Fear not；〃 was the
message of God by His servant： 〃ye have done all this wickedness： yet turn
not aside from following the Lord； but serve the Lord with all your heart；
and turn ye not aside： for then should ye go after vain things； which cannot
profit nor deliver； for they are vain。 For the Lord will not forsake His
people。〃
Samuel said nothing of the slight which had been put upon himself； he
uttered no reproach for the ingratitude with which Israel had repaid his
lifelong devotion； but he assured them of his unceasing interest for them：
〃God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you：
but I will teach you the good and the right way： only fear the Lord； and
serve Him in truth with all your heart： for consider how great things He
hath done for you。 But if ye shall still do wickedly； ye shall be consumed；
both ye and your king。〃
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Chapter 60
The Presumption of Saul
After the assembly at Gilgal； Saul disbanded the army that had at his call
arisen to overthrow the Ammonites； reserving only two thousand men to be
stationed under his command at Michmash and one thousand to attend his son
Jonathan at Gibeah。 Here was a serious error。 His army was filled with hope
and courage by the recent victory； and had he proceeded at once against
other enemies of Israel； a telling blow might have been struck for the
liberties of the nation。
Meanwhile their warlike neighbors； the Philistines； were active。 After the
defeat at Ebenezer they had still retained possession of some hill
fortresses in the land of Israel； and now they established themselves in the
very heart of the country。 In facilities； arms； and equipments the
Philistines had great advantage over Israel。 During the long period of their
oppressive rule they had endeavored to strengthen their power by forbidding
the Israelites to practice the trade of smiths； lest they should make
weapons of war。 After the conclusion of peace the Hebrews had still resorted
to the Philistine garrisons for such work as needed to be done。 Controlled
by love of ease and the abject spirit i