1 Samuel 13 Study Notes: Saul’s Unlawful Offering at Gilgal
After Jonathan strikes a Philistine outpost, a huge Philistine army gathers and Israel’s troops hide in fear. When Samuel has not arrived by the appointed time, Saul offers the sacrifice himself; Samuel says his kingdom will not last and that God has chosen another ruler. Only Saul and Jonathan have weapons.
General
True or False: In 1 Samuel 13, Samuel rebukes Saul for sparing the Amalekite king and the choicest livestock.
Answer: False
This is false. In chapter 13 the issue is Saul making the burnt offering at Gilgal instead of waiting for Samuel as he had been told (13:8-13). The rebuke about sparing Agag, the Amalekite king, and the best animals comes later, in chapter 15, when Saul failed to carry out the LORD’s command concerning Amalek (15:3, 9). There, Samuel declares that the LORD has rejected Saul as king (15:23). These are two separate failures, each a refusal to obey the LORD’s word.
- 1 Samuel 13:13 (BSB)““You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.”Samuel rebukes Saul at Gilgal for not keeping the LORD’s command.
- 1 Samuel 15:3 (BSB)“Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’””In the later campaign, the LORD commanded the destruction of Amalek.
- 1 Samuel 15:9 (BSB)“Saul and his troops spared Agag, along with the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs, and the best of everything else. They were unwilling to devote them to destruction, but they devoted to destruction all that was despised and worthless.”Saul and the troops spared Agag and the best of the livestock.
- 1 Samuel 15:23 (BSB)“For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.””In chapter 15 Samuel declares that the LORD has rejected Saul as king.
Theological
True or False: The rebuke of Saul in 1 Samuel 13 concerns his failure to destroy the Amalekites completely.
Answer: False
This is false. Chapter 13 concerns the unlawful offering at Gilgal, Saul’s failure to wait for Samuel (13:8-13). The sparing of Agag and the best livestock belongs to the later Amalekite campaign of chapter 15 (15:3, 9), where Samuel announces the LORD’s rejection of Saul as king (15:23). Both episodes turn on disobedience to the LORD’s word.
- 1 Samuel 13:13 (BSB)““You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.”Samuel rebukes Saul at Gilgal for not keeping the LORD’s command.
- 1 Samuel 15:3 (BSB)“Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’””In the later campaign, the LORD commanded the destruction of Amalek.
- 1 Samuel 15:9 (BSB)“Saul and his troops spared Agag, along with the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs, and the best of everything else. They were unwilling to devote them to destruction, but they devoted to destruction all that was despised and worthless.”Saul and the troops spared Agag and the best of the livestock.
- 1 Samuel 15:23 (BSB)“For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.””In chapter 15 Samuel declares that the LORD has rejected Saul as king.
General
How did many Israelite fighting men react when they saw how much danger they were in (1 Samuel 13:6-7)?
Answer: They took cover in caves or fled across the Jordan
Seeing the danger, many Israelites hid wherever they could: in caves, thickets, rocks, cellars, and cisterns. Some even fled east across the Jordan River into Gad’s territory and Gilead. Saul remained at Gilgal, where his soldiers were trembling with fear (13:6-7). In the days of the judges, Israel had likewise taken refuge in caves when Midian oppressed them (Judges 6:2). Moses had told Israel not to panic before an enemy army, because the LORD goes with His people to fight for them (Deuteronomy 20:3-4).
- 1 Samuel 13:6 (BSB)“Seeing that they were in danger because their troops were hard-pressed, the men of Israel hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in cellars and cisterns.”The men of Israel hide in caves, thickets, rocks, cellars, and cisterns.
- 1 Samuel 13:7 (BSB)“Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul, however, remained at Gilgal, and all his troops were quaking in fear.”Some cross the Jordan, while Saul’s troops at Gilgal tremble.
- Judges 6:2 (BSB)“and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds.”Under Midian’s oppression Israel had taken shelter in caves and strongholds.
- Deuteronomy 20:3-4 (BSB)“saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.””Moses told Israel not to fear their enemies, because the LORD fights for them.
Theological
How did the Israelite troops respond to the Philistine muster at Michmash (1 Samuel 13:6-7)?
Answer: They took cover in caves or fled across the Jordan
The Philistine muster produces panic: Israelites conceal themselves in caves, thickets, rocks, cellars, and cisterns, some flee across the Jordan to Gad and Gilead, and those remaining with Saul at Gilgal tremble (13:6-7). The scene recalls Israel’s flight to caves under Midianite oppression (Judges 6:2) and stands in contrast to Moses’ charge not to fear the enemy, since the LORD fights for His people (Deuteronomy 20:3-4).
- 1 Samuel 13:6 (BSB)“Seeing that they were in danger because their troops were hard-pressed, the men of Israel hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in cellars and cisterns.”The men of Israel hide in caves, thickets, rocks, cellars, and cisterns.
- 1 Samuel 13:7 (BSB)“Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul, however, remained at Gilgal, and all his troops were quaking in fear.”Some cross the Jordan, while Saul’s troops at Gilgal tremble.
- Judges 6:2 (BSB)“and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds.”Under Midian’s oppression Israel had taken shelter in caves and strongholds.
- Deuteronomy 20:3-4 (BSB)“saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.””Moses told Israel not to fear their enemies, because the LORD fights for them.
General
According to Samuel, what would the LORD have done if Saul had kept His command (1 Samuel 13:13)?
Answer: Made Saul’s kingdom over Israel permanent
Samuel told Saul that he had acted foolishly and had failed to obey what the LORD his God commanded. Had Saul obeyed, God would have made his kingdom over Israel last forever (13:13). Moses’ law had said a king would reign long, both he and his descendants, if he did not stray from God’s command (Deuteronomy 17:20). Saul’s failure here was disobedience to God’s word, not a mistake in religious ceremony alone. Samuel would later state the principle directly: obeying is better than sacrificing (15:22).
- 1 Samuel 13:13 (BSB)““You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.”Samuel says Saul has acted foolishly and that obedience would have established his kingdom.
- Deuteronomy 17:20 (BSB)“Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, and he will not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or to the left, in order that he and his sons may reign many years over his kingdom in Israel.”The law tied a king’s long reign to keeping God’s commandment.
- 1 Samuel 15:22 (BSB)“But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.”Samuel later declares that obedience is better than sacrifice.
Theological
What does Samuel say obedience would have secured for Saul (1 Samuel 13:13)?
Answer: Made Saul’s kingdom over Israel permanent
Samuel’s verdict is that Saul has acted foolishly in breaking the LORD’s command; obedience would have secured a permanent dynasty over Israel (13:13). This accords with the law of the king, whose line would endure as he kept the commandment (Deuteronomy 17:20). The issue is obedience to God’s word, the principle Samuel would later state outright (15:22).
- 1 Samuel 13:13 (BSB)““You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.”Samuel says Saul has acted foolishly and that obedience would have established his kingdom.
- Deuteronomy 17:20 (BSB)“Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, and he will not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or to the left, in order that he and his sons may reign many years over his kingdom in Israel.”The law tied a king’s long reign to keeping God’s commandment.
- 1 Samuel 15:22 (BSB)“But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.”Samuel later declares that obedience is better than sacrifice.
General
Samuel told Saul that the LORD had already sought out another man to rule His people (1 Samuel 13:14). To whom does Paul apply these words in Acts 13:22?
Answer: David son of Jesse
Samuel told Saul that his kingdom would not last. The LORD had already searched out a man of His own choosing, one devoted to His will, and named him leader of His people, because Saul had disobeyed the LORD’s command (13:14). Samuel does not name him here; chapter 16 shows the LORD sending Samuel to Jesse’s family to anoint a king He had chosen (16:1). In Acts, Paul quotes this verse together with Psalm 89:20 and applies it to David: God removed Saul and raised up David, a man who would do all His will (Acts 13:22). To be a man after God’s own heart, in this sense, is to be the man God Himself chose to carry out His purposes. It does not mean David was sinless, and the choice rested on God, not on anything outward (16:7).
- 1 Samuel 13:14 (BSB)“But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.””Samuel tells Saul that his kingdom will not endure and that the LORD has chosen another ruler.
- Acts 13:22 (BSB)“After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’”Paul applies the description to David son of Jesse, who would do God’s will.
- Psalm 89:20 (BSB)“I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him.”The psalm says the LORD found His servant David and anointed him.
- 1 Samuel 16:1 (BSB)“Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.””The LORD sends Samuel to Jesse to anoint the king He has chosen.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 (BSB)“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.””At David’s anointing the LORD tells Samuel that He sees the heart, not outward appearance.
Theological
Samuel announces that the LORD has already chosen another ruler for His people (1 Samuel 13:14). Whom does Paul identify as this man in Acts 13:22?
Answer: David son of Jesse
Samuel pronounces that Saul’s dynasty will not last: the LORD has already sought out a man devoted to His purposes and installed him as leader, because Saul disobeyed the LORD’s command (13:14). The man is unnamed here and revealed in chapter 16 (16:1). Paul, combining this verse with Psalm 89:20, applies it to David son of Jesse, who would do all God’s will (Acts 13:22). Being after God’s own heart here denotes God’s sovereignly chosen servant, devoted to His purposes, not a sinless man; the choice rests in God’s free election, for the LORD judges by the heart rather than by outward looks (16:7).
- 1 Samuel 13:14 (BSB)“But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.””Samuel tells Saul that his kingdom will not endure and that the LORD has chosen another ruler.
- Acts 13:22 (BSB)“After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’”Paul applies the description to David son of Jesse, who would do God’s will.
- Psalm 89:20 (BSB)“I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him.”The psalm says the LORD found His servant David and anointed him.
- 1 Samuel 16:1 (BSB)“Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.””The LORD sends Samuel to Jesse to anoint the king He has chosen.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 (BSB)“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.””At David’s anointing the LORD tells Samuel that He sees the heart, not outward appearance.
General
Why did no one in Saul’s army have a sword or a spear except Saul and Jonathan when the fighting came (1 Samuel 13:19-22)?
Answer: The Philistines had kept Israel from having smiths
There was no blacksmith anywhere in the land, since the Philistines had made sure the Hebrews could not forge weapons (13:19). The Israelites even had to travel to Philistine smiths and pay them to sharpen their farm tools (13:20-21). By then Saul’s force had shrunk to roughly six hundred (13:15). As a result, when battle came, none of the soldiers in Saul’s army had a sword or a spear; only Saul and Jonathan were armed (13:22). The next chapter shows the LORD saving Israel through Jonathan in spite of this weakness (14:6), and David would later declare that the LORD does not save by weapons, for the battle belongs to Him (17:47). In the days of the judges, too, Israel had been left without shield or spear (Judges 5:8).
- 1 Samuel 13:19 (BSB)“And no blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “The Hebrews must not be allowed to make swords or spears.””There is no blacksmith in Israel because the Philistines prevent the making of weapons.
- 1 Samuel 13:22 (BSB)“So on the day of battle not a sword or spear could be found in the hands of the troops with Saul and Jonathan; only Saul and his son Jonathan had weapons.”Only Saul and Jonathan have sword or spear on the day of battle.
- 1 Samuel 14:6 (BSB)“Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.””Jonathan trusts that nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, by many or by few.
- 1 Samuel 17:47 (BSB)“And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.””David declares that the LORD does not save by sword or spear.
- Judges 5:8 (BSB)“When they chose new gods, then war came to their gates. Not a shield or spear was found among forty thousand in Israel.”In an earlier oppression Israel likewise had no shield or spear.
Theological
What explains Israel’s lack of weapons, so that only Saul and Jonathan were armed (1 Samuel 13:19-22)?
Answer: The Philistines had kept Israel from having smiths
Philistine control kept Israel without smiths, to prevent the Hebrews from forging weapons (13:19); Israel depended on the Philistines even to sharpen farm implements (13:20-21). With Saul’s force already reduced to roughly six hundred (13:15), only Saul and Jonathan bore arms in the coming battle (13:22). The disarmament sets the stage for the LORD’s deliverance through Jonathan (14:6) and anticipates David’s confession that the LORD does not save by weapons (17:47); Judges 5:8 records a similar lack of arms in an earlier oppression.
- 1 Samuel 13:19 (BSB)“And no blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “The Hebrews must not be allowed to make swords or spears.””There is no blacksmith in Israel because the Philistines prevent the making of weapons.
- 1 Samuel 13:22 (BSB)“So on the day of battle not a sword or spear could be found in the hands of the troops with Saul and Jonathan; only Saul and his son Jonathan had weapons.”Only Saul and Jonathan have sword or spear on the day of battle.
- 1 Samuel 14:6 (BSB)“Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.””Jonathan trusts that nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, by many or by few.
- 1 Samuel 17:47 (BSB)“And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.””David declares that the LORD does not save by sword or spear.
- Judges 5:8 (BSB)“When they chose new gods, then war came to their gates. Not a shield or spear was found among forty thousand in Israel.”In an earlier oppression Israel likewise had no shield or spear.
General
After Jonathan struck the Philistines’ outpost at Geba, how did the Philistines respond (1 Samuel 13:5)?
Answer: They gathered a vast army at Michmash
Jonathan, Saul’s son, struck the Philistines’ outpost at Geba. Saul sounded the ram’s horn through the land, and word spread through Israel that Saul had struck the outpost and that Israel was now hated by the Philistines; everyone was called to Gilgal (13:3-4). The Philistines, Israel’s powerful enemies on the coastal plain, gathered to fight with thousands of chariots and horsemen and soldiers too many to count, setting up camp at Michmash (13:5). Israel’s hope against such a force could only be the LORD. As Jonathan would soon say, nothing can prevent the LORD from rescuing, with many or with few (14:6), and a psalm contrasts trust in chariots with trust in the LORD’s name (Psalm 20:7).
- 1 Samuel 13:3 (BSB)“Then Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. So Saul blew the ram’s horn throughout the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!””Jonathan attacks the Philistine outpost at Geba, and Saul sounds the ram’s horn.
- 1 Samuel 13:5 (BSB)“Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.”The Philistines assemble a huge army and camp at Michmash.
- 1 Samuel 14:6 (BSB)“Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.””Jonathan later affirms that the LORD can save by many or by few.
- Psalm 20:7 (BSB)“Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”God’s people trust in the LORD’s name rather than in chariots and horses.
Theological
What was the Philistine response to Jonathan’s attack on their outpost at Geba (1 Samuel 13:3-5)?
Answer: They gathered a vast army at Michmash
Jonathan’s strike on the outpost at Geba is proclaimed throughout Israel in Saul’s name, Israel having become odious to the Philistines, and the people are summoned to Gilgal (13:3-4). The Philistines respond with an overwhelming force, chariots, horsemen, and troops beyond counting, encamped at Michmash (13:5). Against such odds Israel’s only hope is the LORD, who is not limited by numbers (14:6) and in whose name, not in chariots, His people trust (Psalm 20:7).
- 1 Samuel 13:3 (BSB)“Then Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. So Saul blew the ram’s horn throughout the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!””Jonathan attacks the Philistine outpost at Geba, and Saul sounds the ram’s horn.
- 1 Samuel 13:5 (BSB)“Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.”The Philistines assemble a huge army and camp at Michmash.
- 1 Samuel 14:6 (BSB)“Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.””Jonathan later affirms that the LORD can save by many or by few.
- Psalm 20:7 (BSB)“Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”God’s people trust in the LORD’s name rather than in chariots and horses.
General
When Samuel had not yet arrived at Gilgal and Saul’s troops were slipping away, what did Saul do (1 Samuel 13:8-9)?
Answer: Offered the burnt offering himself
Samuel had told Saul to wait at Gilgal seven days until Samuel came to offer the sacrifices and tell him what to do (10:8). Saul waited the seven days, but Samuel had not come and the troops were scattering (13:8). So Saul had the sacrifices brought, the burnt and peace offerings, which were sacrifices of worship, and he presented the burnt offering himself. Samuel arrived the moment he was done (13:9-10). Saul did not wait until Samuel came, as he had been told to do. Samuel would later put the principle plainly: obeying the LORD matters more than offering sacrifices (15:22).
- 1 Samuel 13:8 (BSB)“And Saul waited seven days for the time appointed by Samuel, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the troops began to desert Saul.”Saul waits seven days, but Samuel has not come and the troops scatter.
- 1 Samuel 13:9 (BSB)“So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.” And he offered up the burnt offering.”Saul calls for the offerings and offers the burnt offering.
- 1 Samuel 13:10 (BSB)“Just as he finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.”Samuel arrives just as Saul finishes the burnt offering.
- 1 Samuel 10:8 (BSB)“And you shall go before me to Gilgal, and surely I will come to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you are to do.””Samuel had told Saul to wait at Gilgal until he came to offer the sacrifices.
- 1 Samuel 15:22 (BSB)“But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.”Samuel later states that obedience to the LORD is better than sacrifice.
Theological
What action did Saul take at Gilgal when the appointed seven days passed without Samuel’s arrival (1 Samuel 13:8-10)?
Answer: Offered the burnt offering himself
Saul observes the seven days appointed in 10:8, but with Samuel absent and the army dispersing (13:8) he calls for the burnt and peace offerings and offers the burnt offering himself; Samuel arrives just as he finishes (13:9-10). The instruction had been to wait until Samuel came and directed him (10:8). The principle Samuel would later articulate applies: the LORD prizes obedience above sacrifice (15:22).
- 1 Samuel 13:8 (BSB)“And Saul waited seven days for the time appointed by Samuel, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the troops began to desert Saul.”Saul waits seven days, but Samuel has not come and the troops scatter.
- 1 Samuel 13:9 (BSB)“So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.” And he offered up the burnt offering.”Saul calls for the offerings and offers the burnt offering.
- 1 Samuel 13:10 (BSB)“Just as he finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.”Samuel arrives just as Saul finishes the burnt offering.
- 1 Samuel 10:8 (BSB)“And you shall go before me to Gilgal, and surely I will come to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you are to do.””Samuel had told Saul to wait at Gilgal until he came to offer the sacrifices.
- 1 Samuel 15:22 (BSB)“But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.”Samuel later states that obedience to the LORD is better than sacrifice.
General
When Samuel asked what he had done, what reasons did Saul give for offering the sacrifice (1 Samuel 13:11-12)?
Answer: His troops were scattering and he feared an attack
Saul explained that his troops were leaving, Samuel had not arrived at the set time, and the enemy was massing at Michmash. He reasoned that the Philistines would attack him at Gilgal before he had asked for the LORD’s help, so he felt he had no choice but to make the offering (13:11-12). Saul acted on what seemed necessary under pressure instead of on what he had been told. Proverbs warns that a way can seem right to a person and still end in death (Proverbs 14:12), and calls God’s people to trust the LORD rather than lean on their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).
- 1 Samuel 13:11 (BSB)““What have you done?” Samuel asked. And Saul replied, “When I saw that the troops were deserting me, and that you did not come at the appointed time and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash,”Saul explains that the troops were leaving and Samuel had not come.
- 1 Samuel 13:12 (BSB)“I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will descend upon me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the LORD.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.””Saul says he feared an attack before seeking the LORD, so he felt compelled to offer.
- Proverbs 14:12 (BSB)“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”A course that seems right to a person can still end in death.
- Proverbs 3:5 (BSB)“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;”God’s people are to trust the LORD rather than their own understanding.
Theological
How did Saul justify his offering when Samuel confronted him (1 Samuel 13:11-12)?
Answer: His troops were scattering and he feared an attack
Saul pleads necessity: the army was melting away, Samuel had failed to arrive within the set time, the Philistines were massing at Michmash, and he feared being attacked before he had entreated the LORD, so he felt forced to make the offering (13:11-12). His reasoning substitutes pragmatic judgment under pressure for the word he had been given, the path that looks right to a person (Proverbs 14:12) rather than reliance on the LORD over one’s own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).
- 1 Samuel 13:11 (BSB)““What have you done?” Samuel asked. And Saul replied, “When I saw that the troops were deserting me, and that you did not come at the appointed time and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash,”Saul explains that the troops were leaving and Samuel had not come.
- 1 Samuel 13:12 (BSB)“I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will descend upon me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the LORD.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.””Saul says he feared an attack before seeking the LORD, so he felt compelled to offer.
- Proverbs 14:12 (BSB)“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”A course that seems right to a person can still end in death.
- Proverbs 3:5 (BSB)“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;”God’s people are to trust the LORD rather than their own understanding.