long trial of a week, through every hour of which he was tempted
to advance against the enemy, yet every hour had to restrain his fierce
and impatient spirit. Now then is the time for Samuel to come; he said
he would come at the end of seven days, and the days are ended. Now at
length is the time for Saul to be relieved. For seven days the
Philistines, for some cause or other, have not attacked him; a
wonderful chance it is; he may breathe freely; every hour, every minute
he expects to hear that Samuel has joined the camp. But now, when his
trial seemed over, behold a second trial--Samuel comes not. The
prophet of God said he would come, the prophet of God does not come as
he said.

Why Samuel did not come, we are not informed; except that we see it was
God's will to try Saul still further; however, he did not come, and now
let us observe what was Saul's conduct.

Hitherto he had acquitted himself well; he had obeyed to the letter the
command of God by His prophet. He had waited in faith though in fear;
he feared the Philistines, but had faith in God. Oh that he had
continued in his faith! but his faith gave way when his trial was
prolonged.

When Samuel did not come, there was no one of course to offer
sacrifice; what was to be done? Saul ought to have waited still
longer, till Samuel did come. He had had faith in God hitherto, he
should have had faith still. He had hitherto trusted that God would
save him from the enemy, though his army was scattered, in God's own
way. God fights not with sword and bow; He can give victory to whom He
will, and when He will; "with His own right hand, and His holy arm,"
can He accomplish His purposes. Saul was God's servant, and therefore
he might securely trust in God. He had trusted for seven days; he
might go on trusting for eight, nine, or ten. And let it be observed,
that this fresh trial was hardly a greater trial than before, for this
reason--that his faith hitherto had met with its reward. Though the
Philistines were in his front, and his own men were deserting, yet,
strange to say, the Philistines had not attacked him. Thus he had had
proof that God could defend him from them. He who had kept him so
safely for seven days, why should He not also on the eighth? however,
he did not feel this, and so he took a very rash and fatal step.

That step was as follows: since Samuel had not come, he determined to
offer the burnt sacrifice instead of him; he determined