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
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
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
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
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
He tarried seven days according to the set time - Samuel in the beginning had told Saul to wait seven days, and he would come to him, and show him what to do, 1 Samuel 10:8 . What is here said cannot be understood of that appointment, but of a different one. Samuel had at this time promised to come to him within seven days, and he kept his word, for we find him there before the day was ended; but as Saul found he did not come at the beginning of the seventh day, he became... read more
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
Behold , Samuel came - Samuel was punctual to his appointment; one hour longer of delay would have prevented every evil, and by it no good would have been lost. How often are the effects of precipitation fatal! read more
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
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
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