Saul was in disfavor with God, and yet unwilling to humble his heart in penitence. What he lacked in real piety he would try to make up by his zeal in the forms of religion. Saul was not ignorant of Israel's defeat when the ark of God was brought into the camp by Hophni and Phinehas; and yet, knowing all this, he determined to send for the sacred chest and its attendant priest. Could he by this means inspire confidence in the people, he hoped to reassemble his scattered army and give battle to the Philistines. He would now dispense with Samuel's presence and support, and thus free himself from the prophet's unwelcome criticisms and reproofs.


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Sauls formastelse

Saul havde pådraget sig Guds mishag, men til trods herfor ydmygede han sig ikke. Han søgte at råde bod på sin mangel på gudsfrygt ved at udføre de religiøse ceremonier med stor nidkærhed. Saul var ikke uvidende om, at Israel led nederlag, da Hofni og Pinehas bar Guds ark ind i lejren, men til trods herfor besluttede han at sende bud efter den hellige kiste og den ansvarshavende præst. Han håbede, at det på denne måde ville lykkes ham at indgyde folket tillid, samle hæren og optage kampen med filisterne. Det var hans plan at bryde forbindelsen med Samuel for at blive fri for hans uvelkomne kritik og irettesættelse.

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