This is the second great condemnation of Saul. ‘Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king.
That speaks to us. Sympathy for enemies; sympathy for the lost; sympathy for the backslider; even a proper measure of sympathy for the wrongdoer, who might be under the discipline of the Lord in some way. We feel it because we feel for souls, and we would desire the very best for them. It is instructive to see this of Samuel. He cried unto the Lord – in prayer, obviously – all night. If only something could be done. He had experienced prayers answered so many times. Perhaps even though Saul has dealt so treacherously and badly with spiritual privileges, something could be done. But it wasn't to be.