I Sam. 15:11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.
I Sam. 16:1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
I was so impressed with Samuel’s tender heart in the above verses. He cared so deeply for Saul that he cried unto the LORD all night long. It grieved him that Saul disobeyed the Word of the Lord. I must admit, I don’t cry to the Lord all night very often. And if I did, I’m afraid it would be over something much more personal. I don’t know that I am compassionate and loving enough to cry for others all night.
I found it interesting that the Lord finally had to tell Samuel to stop crying for Saul. He told Samuel that He had rejected Saul, and chosen another. He wanted Samuel out of the dumps, and thinking of the future. I suppose I do often dwell on the negative and stay down when I need to pick up and move forward. I hope I will remember this the next time I face discouragement and disappointment.