Saul’s second confession of sin makes it clear that his primary concern was with the opinion of the people rather than the Lord. He did not want to lose face before the elders since he thought they were his source of political power.1 He was a man who walked by sight. If Samuel returned with him, he could proceed with the sacrifices in a way that suggested God’s approval.2 In everything, Saul had not listened to Samuel, he continued to act as if the Lord could and would be appeased with formal religion.
30 Saül dit encore: J'ai péché! Maintenant, je te prie, honore-moi en présence des anciens de mon peuple et en présence d'Israël; reviens avec moi, et j'adorerai l'Eternel, ton Dieu.