1 Samuel 13:9 NIV

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 13:9

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 13:9

And he offered the burnt-offering - This was most perfectly unconstitutional; he had no authority to offer, or cause to be offered, any of the Lord's sacrifices. 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 13:9

A burnt offering, etc. The Hebrew has the definite article, the burnt offering and the peace offerings, which were there ready for Samuel to offer. He offered. Not with his own hand, but by the hand of the attendant priest, Ahiah, who was, we know, with him. Possibly, nevertheless, the Levitical law was not at this period strictly observed. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 13:9

There is a difference of opinion among commentators whether Saul himself offered the sacrifices prepared for Samuel, thus entrenching upon the priest’s office; or whether he ordered the priests to sacrifice, as Solomon did. In the latter case his sin consisted in disobeying the word of God, who had bidden him wait until Samuel came. And this is, on the whole, the more probable; since Samuel’s rebuke says nothing of any assumption of priesthood, such as we read in the case of Uzziah 2 Chronicles... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:1-14

13:1-15:35 SAUL’S EARLY VICTORIESPreparing to fight the Philistines (13:1-14)Israel’s regular army consisted of two divisions, one under the command of Saul, the other under the command of Saul’s son Jonathan. Other fighting men were called to join the army when needed. Such a need arose when Jonathan attacked a Philistine camp, and the Philistines replied by sending a large army to attack Israel (13:1-6a).In a time of national emergency, Saul was apparently to go to Gilgal, where he was to... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 13:9

offered = offered up. See App-43 . read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 13:9

9-14. Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings—Saul, though patriotic enough in his own way, was more ambitious of gaining the glory of a triumph to himself than ascribing it to God. He did not understand his proper position as king of Israel; and although aware of the restrictions under which he held the sovereignty, he wished to rule as an autocrat, who possessed absolute power both in civil and sacred things. This occasion was his first trial. Samuel waited till... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 13:1-15

1. Saul’s disobedience at Gilgal 13:1-15The writer introduced the history of Saul’s reign by referring to the king’s age and possibly the length of his reign. Verse one contains a textual corruption in the Hebrew text. [Note: On the many problems with the Hebrew text of Samuel, see Martin, pp. 209-222.] There the verse reads, "Saul was . . . years old when he began to reign, and he reigned . . . two years over Israel." My ellipses indicate omissions (lacunas) in the Hebrew text.The first... read more