How not to lead (4)

"... “I will not go back with you,” Samuel answered. “You rejected the LORD's command, and he has rejected you as king of Israel.” Then Samuel turned to leave, but Saul caught hold of his cloak, and it tore.

Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel away from you today and given it to someone who is a better man than you. Israel's majestic God does not lie or change his mind. He is not a human being — he does not change his mind.”

“I have sinned,” Saul replied. “But at least show me respect in front of the leaders of my people and all Israel. Go back with me so that I can worship the LORD your God.” So Samuel went back with him, and Saul worshipped the LORD.

... As long as Samuel lived, he never again saw the king; but he grieved over him. The LORD was sorry that he had made Saul king of Israel."

~ 1 Samuel 15.24-35 GNB

Samuel led Israel prior to Saul; he was not a poor man. His cloak would not tear so easily. But "Saul caught hold of his cloak and it tore"? Was that a euphemism of Saul's violence?

In effect Saul threatened Samuel so Saul could get out of being humiliated in front of the people. And then it was recorded that "Saul worshipped the LORD". I cannot believe this is a true worship; he probably did it for show to the people, but his heart was far from the LORD.

Far enough that "the LORD was sorry that he had made Saul king".

Oh Holy Spirit
please purify my thoughts and clean my heart
that I may not stray from your path