1 Samuel 13:11

And Saul said - Here he offers three excuses for his conduct:

1. 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.