1 Samuel 13:8-16

Saul's Unauthorized Sacrifice

v. 8. And he, Saul, tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed, 1 Samuel 10:8; but Samuel came not to Gilgal, not even on the morning of the seventh day; and the people were scattered from him, fearing that Samuel, after all, would not put in his appearance.

v. 9. And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me and peace-offerings, both to atone for the sins of the people and to establish their fellowship with Jehovah once more. And he offered the burnt offering, very likely through the priests who were at Gilgal.

v. 10. And it came to pass that, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came, evidently still before the close of the seventh day; and Saul went out to meet him that he might salute him, with the customary greeting of peace and blessing.

v. 11. And Samuel said, knowing that Saul had not waited the full length of the appointed time, What hast thou done? And Saul said, in a feeble attempt to excuse his overhasty action, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash,

v. 12. therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, in a sudden descent with superior forces, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord, literally, "stroked or entreated His face," namely, with the object of gaining His grace and favor. I forced myself, therefore, the word used by Saul intimating a strong inward conflict which preceded his resolution to go ahead without the presence of Samuel, and offered a burnt offering.

v. 13. And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly; thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord, thy God, which He commanded thee, no excuse could alter the fact of his disobedience; for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom, namely, as a hereditary kingdom, upon Israel forever, if Saul had only followed His commandment strictly.

v. 14. But now thy kingdom shall not continue, it would not pass on to his sons, Saul would be the first and last of his line. The Lord hath sought Him a man after His own heart, this resolution had already been passed in the counsels of God, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over His people, as the successor of Saul, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee, he had not stood the test of absolute faith and trust in Jehovah; for he should have known that the Lord would find ways and means to bring Samuel within the limit of the time set or otherwise to send him word concerning the delay.

v. 15. And Samuel arose, after having made this statement, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin, the home of Saul. And Saul, before continuing his campaign, numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men. That was all that was left, in spite of his hasty sacrifice; he had indeed acted foolishly, as Samuel had said.

v. 16. And Saul and Jonathan, his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin, or rather, in Geba, at the place where Jonathan had broken up the Philistine garrison ; but the Philistines encamped in Michmash, v. 5. Disobedience is the consequence of unbelief and doubt. Whenever Christians are put to a test, no matter how long the time of distress and tribulation lasts, they should simply cling to God's Word and promises, for disobedience may quickly be followed by rejection.