THE FIRST KING OF ISRAEL. 171

mit to see their prince unjustly put to death. Saul
could not have been otherwise than well pleased that
the life of his son was saved by the people, though he
would not do it of his own accord. From Saul’s con-
duct on this occasion we are warned to avoid rashness,
for by it he had very nearly sacrificed one of the most
valuable lives in the country. From Jonathan’s conduct
we are taught to seek for that composure of spirit which
can bear injustice with meekness. From the conduct
of the people we learn that we ought actively to take
part with the oppressed.

George. Did Saul fight many more battles ?

Grandfather. Yes, he fought against all his enemies
round about, and with the Philistines he was at war all
his days; but of many of his battles we have no ac-
count. But there is one of which I must tell you some-
thing. The Lord commanded him to march against the
Amalekites, and cut them all off, as a punishment for
what they had done to the Israelites when they were in
the wilderness. Saul went against them with a large
army, and God gave them into his hand, but he did not
entirely destroy them, for he spared the life of the king,
and he did not kill the best of the cattle and sheep.
Probably covetousness was his inducement in both cases.
He tried to make a plausible excuse for his conduct to
Samuel, telling him that he had kept the animals to
offer as sacrifices to the Lord. But Samuel told him
that the Lord was greatly displeased—that no sacrifice
could be acceptable in his sight unless it were accom-