A Tale of Two Kings part six

In verse 25, we see Saul asking for his sin to be pardoned yet he still hasn’t repented! How true of many of our churches today! So many are being taught “God will pardon you” but they aren’t being taught how to repent. Saul wants the prophet to approve of him and validate him by worshipping with him and I have seen this too, today. I have seen churches that are unclean before God yet “prophets” will come into their midst and do nothing but speak well of them and prophecy blessings. And everybody pats each other on the back, “hey, did we have church tonight!”
They become "bless me clubs" and some of these false prophets are happy to go around from church to church and prophecy only good things, telling them how wonderful they are when in reality they are often grieving God. Keep in mind, like in Revelation, many churches can be pleasing to God in some areas and grieving him in others all at the same time. Yet, though I have heard much prophecy directed to congregations, I rarely hear a word of correction or rebuke. This is so sad, because our loving God will always correct us when we need it because he loves us so much. Granted, some correction will be done privately with church leadership but some needs to be done publicly, during service yet I have rarely seen it done.
On the flip side of the coin, I have also seen so called prophets come in with the wrong spirit, a critical spirit, with nothing nice to say at all, often harshly rebuking individuals or congregations with a voice that is definitely not the Lord's. This too is a sin and can harm a church just as much as a kind word not from God can harm them. The point is, we need to hear God's voice each time a prophet speaks, then, rebuke or encouragement, it will result in life and love for the ones being ministerd to.

When Samuel turns from him, his mantle is torn and this is a prophetic sign in the natural that Saul’s kingdom has been rent from him. Sadly, in verse 30, he’s still concerned about his image before men – “honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel”. HE STILL WANTS TO BE SEEN AS HONORABLE BEFORE MEN. This will keep many, many leaders from truly repenting before God because they cannot show weakness to their people. In short – they’re full of pride. “And the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel”.