The nation, of which he had been the pride, followed his leading. Though he afterward repented, his repentance did not prevent the fruition of the evil he had sown. The discipline and training that God appointed for Israel would cause them, in all their ways of life, to differ from the people of other nations. This peculiarity, which should have been regarded as a special privilege and blessing, was to them unwelcome. The simplicity and self-restraint essential to the highest development they sought 50 to exchange for the pomp and self-indulgence of heathen peoples. To be "like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5) was their ambition. God's plan of education was set aside, His authority disowned.

Det folk, hvis stolthed han havde været, fulgte i hans fodspor. Skønt han senere i livet angrede, forhindrede hans anger ikke, at den onde sæd, han havde sået, bar frugt. Den disciplin og opdragelse, som Gud havde anvist for Israel, ville forårsage, at de i alle deres livsvaner var forskellige fra andre folkeslag. Denne ejendommelighed, der burde være blevet anset for at være en særlig forrettighed og velsignelse, var dem uvelkommen. Den enkelhed og selvbeherskelse, som er nødvendig for at nå den højeste udvikling, søgte de at ombytte med de hedenske folks pragt og nydelsessyge. At være ligesom alle de andre folk (1Sam. 8,5) var det, de stræbte efter. Guds opdragelsesplan blev tilsidesat. Man forkastede hans myndighed.