Samuel's Death

It is twice repeated that when Samuel died all Israel “lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah” (1 Sam. 25:1; 28:3). It was a state funeral, with public mourning, for the man whose faithful words were unheeded while he lived, and whose later years were embittered by the wickedness of both king and people! It was a great day - “all the Israelites were gathered together,” we are told. Was Saul present? It is not stated, but flesh can be inconsistent enough even for that.