1 Samuel 13:6-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:1-7

We are not told wherein it was that the people of Israel offended God, so as to forfeit his presence and turn his hand against them, as Samuel had threatened (1 Sam. 12:15); but doubtless they left God, else he would not have left them, as here it appears he did; for, I. Saul was very weak and impolitic, and did not order his affairs with discretion. Saul was the son of one year (so the first words are in the original), a phrase which we make to signify the date of his reign, but ordinarily it... read more

Matthew Henry

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:15-23

Here, 1. Samuel departs in displeasure. Saul has set up for himself, and now he is left to himself: Samuel gat him from Gilgal (1 Sam. 13:15), and it does not appear that he either prayed with Saul or directed him. Yet in going up to Gibeah of Benjamin, which was Saul's city, he intimated that he had not quite abandoned him, but waited to do him a kindness another time. Or he went to the college of the prophets there, to pray for Saul when he did not think fit to pray with him. 2. Saul goes... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:6

When the men of Israel saw they were in a strait, for the people were distressed ,.... By reason of the vast army that the Philistines brought into the field, greatly superior to theirs, and were likely to be encompassed by them on every side; so that nothing but destruction was expected, which gave them the utmost anxiety and uneasiness; though Abarbinel refers this last clause, not to the people of Israel, but to the people of the Philistines, and takes it in this sense: for the people... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:7

And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead ,.... As far off as they could from the Philistines, who lay on the west of the land of Israel, and these countries were to the east. Kimchi observes, that the land of Reuben is not mentioned, which was on the other side Jordan also; because that was nearer to it than what was inhabited by Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh; and therefore they chose to go further, thinking themselves there safer: as for Saul, he was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:8

And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed ,.... He tarried to the seventh day, but not to the end of it, or towards the close of it, as he should have done: but Samuel came not to Gilgal ; so soon as Saul expected: and the people were scattered from him ; many deserted him, the Philistines drawing nigh, and Samuel not coming, as Saul expected, and had given the people reason to expect. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:9

And Saul said ,.... Being impatient, and seeing the people deserting him apace, and unwilling to engage in a battle without first sacrificing to God, and imploring his help and assistance: bring hither a burnt offering to me ; that is, a creature for a burnt offering, a bullock, sheep, goat, or lamb: and peace offerings ; which also were either of the herd, or of the flock: and he offered the burnt offering ; either he himself, or by a priest. In this unsettled time, while the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:10

And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burn offering ,.... And before he could offer the peace offerings: behold, Samuel came ; and it was told Saul that he was come: and Saul went out to meet him ; left off sacrificing, and would proceed no further, leaving the rest for Samuel and out of respect to him, and to prevent a chiding of him, he went forth to meet him: that he might salute him , or "bless him" F3 לברכו "ad benedicendum ei",... 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

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