As the people contrasted the course of Saul with that of Samuel, they saw what a mistake they had made in desiring a king that they might not be different from the nations around them. Many looked with alarm at the condition of society, fast becoming leavened with irreligion and godlessness. The example of their ruler was exerting a widespread influence, and well might Israel mourn that Samuel, the prophet of the Lord, was dead.

Når folket sammenlignede Sauls og Samuels optræden, indså de tydeligt den store fejltagelse, de begik, da de begærede en konge for at ligne de andre nationer. Mange var forfærdede over forholdene i samfundet. Hele nationen blev hurtigt gennemsyret af religiøs ligegyldighed og gudløshed. Deres konge øvede en vidtrækkende indflydelse, og det var med rette, at Israel sørgede over, at Samuel, Herrens profet, var død.