Like Adam in the Garden (see Genesis 3:1–24),1 Saul makes many seemingly legitimate excuses to explain his actions. In reality, however, all of his excuses confirm that his actions were based on what he could see rather than what God has revealed and promised.2 That is to say, like the majority of Israel, he was walking by sight rather than by faith. His excuses also served to prevent him from acknowledging his sin.3
11 Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash,