The place where Israel gathered with contrition and fasting, which resulted in an overwhelming victory over their most dangerous foe (1 Sam. 7), was again the gathering point for the people that they might have introduced to them the king whom they had demanded (1 Sam. 10:17-27). Samuel put the position very faithfully before them. They had by their demand rejected the Lord their God who had brought them out from the land of Egypt and had saved them continuously out of all their adversities and tribulations. Thus it was not merely the setting aside of faithful Samuel, it was the setting aside of their God. The theocracy was at an end until the coming in power of the Lord Jesus. Israel henceforth was to be “like all the [other] nations.” Low ground indeed for the elect people of the Lord. But it is always sadly true that the people of God prefer to walk on lower ground than that which God has marked out for them. Where are we with regard to this?