It was not sorrow for sin, but fear of its penalty, that actuated the king of Israel as he entreated Samuel, "I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord." If Saul had had true repentance, he would have made public confession of his sin; but it was his chief anxiety to maintain his authority and retain the allegiance of the people. He desired the honor of Samuel's presence in order to strengthen his own influence with the nation. 632

Det var ikke sorg over synden, men frygt for straffen, der fik Israels konge til at rette denne appel til Samuel: "Tilgiv mig dog nu min synd og vend tilbage med mig, for at jeg kan tilbede Herren!" Hvis Sauls anger havde været ægte, ville han have bekendt sin synd offentligt, men for ham var det vigtigste at bevare sin myndighed og at sikre sig folkets fortsatte troskab. Han bad om, at Samuel ville vise ham den ære at ledsage ham for at kunne gøre sin indflydelse gældende over for folket.