1 Samuel 13:11-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:8-14

Here is, I. Saul's offence in offering sacrifice before Samuel came. Samuel, when he anointed him, had ordered him to tarry for him seven days in Gilgal, promising that, at the end of those days, he would be sure to come to him, and both offer sacrifices for him and direct him what he should do. This we had 1 Sam. 10:8. Perhaps that order, though inserted there, was given him afterwards, or was given him as a general rule to be observed in every public congress at Gilgal, or, as is most... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:11

And Samuel said, what hast thou done ? This question he put to bring him to a confession of what he had done, otherwise he guessed at it by his countenance; or rather, by the prophetic spirit he was endowed with, he knew it certainly that he had offered the sacrifices without waiting for him: and Saul said because I saw the people were scattered from me ; they were deserting, and he feared, if he stayed any longer, they would all leave him; this was one reason of doing what he did: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:12

Therefore said I ..... That is, within himself: the Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal ; on a sudden, unprepared for them, especially in a religious way: and I have not made supplication to the Lord ; for his direction and assistance, and for success in the war; which it seems went along with sacrifices, or was implied in them: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering ; it was reluctant to him, it was against his will as well as the command of Samuel,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 13:11

And Saul said - Here he offers three excuses for his conduct: The people were fast leaving his standard. Samuel did not come at the time, למועד lemoed ; at the very commencement of the time he did not come, but within that time he did come. The Philistines were coming fast upon him. Saul should have waited out the time; and at all events he should not have gone contrary to the counsel of the Lord. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 13:12

I forced myself - It was with great reluctance that I did what I did. In all this Saul was sincere, but he was rash, and regardless of the precept of the Lord, which precept or command he most evidently had received, 1 Samuel 13:13 . And one part of this precept was, that the Lord should tell him what he should do. Without this information, in an affair under the immediate cognizance of God, he should have taken no step. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:8-16

Representative temptations. The facts are— 1 . Saul, waiting at Gilgal for Samuel, gives orders for the observance of sacrificial worship. 2 . Towards the close of the ceremony, and before the full time was expired, Samuel makes his appearance. 3 . In reply to Samuel's remonstrance, Saul assigns the reasons for his conduct—the discouragement of the people, the non-arrival of Samuel, and the threatening attitude of the foe. 4 . Samuel charges Saul with having failed to keep... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:11

What hast thou done? The question implies rebuke, which Saul answers by pleading his danger. Each day's delay made his small force dwindle rapidly away, and the Philistines might at any hour move down from Michmash upon him at Gilgal and destroy him. But it was the reality of the danger which put his faith and obedience to the trial. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:12

I have not made supplication unto Jehovah. Literally, "I have not stroked the face of Jehovah," but used of making him propitious by prayer ( Exodus 32:11 ; Jeremiah 26:19 ). I forced myself. Saul pleads in his justification the imminence of the danger, and perhaps there are few who have faith enough to "stand still and see the salvation of Jehovah" ( Exodus 14:13 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 13:11

Saul had come from Michmash to Gilgal, expecting to gather the force of the whole nation around him. Instead of that, the people fled, leaving him in the exposed plain with only 600 men 1 Samuel 13:15. The Philistines occupied Michmash, and might at any moment pour down the valley upon Gilgal. Saul’s situation was obviously one of extreme peril. A few hours’ delay might prove fatal to him and his little army. Hence, he “forced” himself, etc. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 13:11-12

1 Samuel 13:11-12. I saw that thou camest not When the seventh day was come, and a good part of it was past, I concluded thou wouldst not come that day. I have not made supplication Hence it appears that sacrifices were accompanied with solemn prayers. I forced myself I did it against my own mind and inclination: I offered a burnt-offering lest my enemies should attack me before I had commended myself and my cause to God, and entreated his aid and blessing. read more

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