blessing of verse 26 you can count on the curse of verse 27. Whenever God blesses you with “a band of men, whose hearts God had touched” (1 Samuel 10:26), you can count on the devil raising up “children of Belial” (1 Samuel 10:27) to counter that. Whenever a work is moving forward, expect opposition. “Expect to find opposition in the way of duty” (Dale). But do not let this knowledge discourage you. Rather, use this knowledge to prepare yourself for opposition so you can overcome it better.