How we cite our quotes:
Quote #10
Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God. So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD. (1 Samuel 15:30-31, KJV)
Then Saul said, "I have sinned; yet honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God." So Samuel turned back after Saul; and Saul worshiped the LORD. (1 Samuel 15:30-31, NRSV)
Just because you're in charge doesn't mean you have all the answers. All leaders make mistakes, but good leaders have advisors to make sure this doesn't happen. In Saul's case, he has Samuel, but the leader-advisor relationship only works when you're willing to listen. Saul has a problem with that.
Quote #11
Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa. And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. (1 Samuel 28:3-7, KJV)
Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. Saul had expelled the mediums and the wizards from the land. The Philistines assembled, and came and encamped at Shunem. Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, not by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. Then Saul said to his servants, "Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go to her and inquire of her." His servants said to him, "There is a medium at Endor." (1 Samuel 28:3-7, NRSV)
If you're a leader and you make a rule, people expect you to follow that rule. If you don't, you look like a hypocrite. In this story, Saul deems it illegal to associate with magic. So naturally Saul goes out and seeks magic when he feels it's necessary. Do you think Saul knew how terrible a leader he was?