Samuel's Delay in Coming to Saul at Gilgal

    Why did not Samuel come within the appointed time? Was it accident, was it necessity, was it negligence, which was the cause of his delay? Whatever it was, it was providential. God designed it to be a touchstone to try the obedience of Saul. And it was a test peculiarly adapted to try the strength of the faith and obedience of the new king to the King and God of Israel. No arguments for disobeying a divine injunction could be more plausible than those pleaded by Saul on the occasion. The people were scattered, and the piety of the king will not engage in battle without sacrifice to the God of Israel. As Samuel had disappointed him, does not necessity oblige him to offer sacrifice himself? "And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt-offering to me, and peace-offerings. And he offered the burnt-offering. And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering ^he burnt-offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went oat to meet him, that he might salute him. And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou earnest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; therefore said J, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt-offering. And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee."—1 Sam. xiii. 8-14. When Providence puts it out of the power of his people to observe his ordinances according to his own appointment, they are not guilty in not observing them; and they are guilty when they observe them, under any pretence, contrary to the Divine appointment. God could have given victory to Saul without sacrifice, when sacrifice could not be legally observed. And when Saul observed it illegally, God was not only displeased with him, but on that very account rejected him as king of Israel. And had Saul waited a little longer, he would have had sacrifice in a legal way. Samuel made his appearance as soon as Saul had ceased to

    offer the burnt-offering. The Providence of God tries his people, even with their conviction of the utility of his ordinances.