Saul Stumbles I Samuel 13

I Samuel 13:9 "And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt-offering to me, and peace-offerings, And he offered the burnt-offering."

Saul has reigned a couple of years. It is not like monarchs as we know them. At least, not yet. I do not see Saul decorated with gold and sitting upon a throne. He was a huge man of war. His judgement was not mature and he made a huge mistake. He stepped into the realm of the priesthood when he offered the sacrifice.

v8 "And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him."

Saul has appointed 3000 warriors for himself and sent the people home. The Philistines are still around in huge numbers. Saul has a son named Jonathan. He sent 1000 of the men with Jonathan who had a good victory at Geba but it seems to have stirred up the Philistines. The people are fearful and have hid in caves and pits. Some have fled across Jordan.

Samuel came to Saul and told him his mistake.

v13 "And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly, thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee, for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. "

When Korah came against Moses back in Numbers 16 with censors to do the office of priesthood through his own self will he was destroyed. God has a way he wants things done. It behooves us to wait on the LORD and not take things on us that are not our business.

Saul's kingdom will not be established for ever and another will be chosen to replace him. The Philistines went about killing all the smiths v19 (blacksmiths) so that Israel could not make swords. They did sharpen what they had such as mattocks and coulters, forks and axes and goads.

v22 "So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found."

Remember the people fled their homes and hid in caves and such or fled across Jordan. I expect they traveled light and their swords were left behind. Samuel's words tell of the future and refer to king David.

v14 "But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee."

See Psalm 89: 20 "I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:"

Acts 13:22 "And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king, to whom, also he gave testimony and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will."

Next chapter, the fight.

Psalm 127:2 "It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep."

keywords: Bible Study, Old Testament, Samuel, Saul, Jonathan, Philistines,Milton Southerland