1 Samuel 13:11

_AND IT CAME TO PASS, THAT AS SOON AS HE HAD MADE AN END OF OFFERING THE BURNT OFFERING, BEHOLD, SAMUEL CAME; AND SAUL WENT OUT TO MEET HIM, THAT HE MIGHT SALUTE HIM._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

8-14 Saul broke the order expressly given by Samuel, see ch. 1 Samuel 10:8, as to what should be done in cases of extremity. Saul offered sacrifice without Samuel, and did it himself, though he was neither priest nor prophet. When charged with disobedience, he justified himself in what he had done, and gave no sign of repentance for it. He would have this act of disobedience pass for an instance of his prudence, and as a proof of his piety. Men destitute of inward piety, often lay great stress on the outward performances of religion. Samuel charges Saul with being an enemy to himself. Those that disobey the commandments of God, do foolishly for themselves. Sin is folly, and the greatest sinners are the greatest fools. Our disposition to obey or disobey God, will often be proved by our behaviour in things which appear small. Men see nothing but Saul's outward act, which seems small; but...

Verse 1 Samuel 13:11. _AND SAUL SAID_] Here he offers _three_ excuses for his conduct: 1. The people were fast leaving his standard. 2. 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. 3. 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....

Saul had come from Michmash to Gilgal, expecting to gather the force of the whole nation around him. Instead of that, the people fled, leaving him in the exposed plain with only 600 men 1 Samuel 13:15. The Philistines occupied Michmash, and might at any moment pour down the valley upon Gilgal. Saul’s situation was obviously one of extreme peril. A few hours’ delay might prove fatal to him and his little army. Hence, he “forced” himself, etc....

SAUL'S PROBATION AND FAILURE (CHS. 13-15.). EXPOSITION WAR AGAINST THE PHILISTINES (verse 1-14:46). 1 SAMUEL 13:1 Saul's age and length of reign. SAUL REIGNED ONE YEAR. This verse literally translated is, "Saul was one year old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years over Israel." In its form it exactly follows the usual statement prefixed to each king's reign, of his age at his accession, and the years of his kingdom (2 Samuel 2:10; 2Sa 5:4; 1 Kings 14:21;...

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: AND THAT THOU CAMEST NOT WITHIN THE DAYS APPOINTED; seven days were appointed, and because the seventh day was come, though it was not gone, he concluded Samuel would not come at all; and that was another reason why he did what he did; and by this would have laid the blame on Samuel, as if he did not keep his time; whereas it was Saul's impatience that hurried him to this action: and that the Philistines gath...

6. THE FIRST FAILURE OF SAUL AND ITS RESULTS CHAPTER 13 _ 1. The failure of Saul (1 Samuel 13:1)_ 2. Samuel's sentence (1 Samuel 13:10) 3. Israel's deplorable condition (1 Samuel 13:15) Omit the first verse of this chapter as it does not belong into the text. In self-confidence Saul has dismissed the greater part of the people; only 2000 remained with him and 1000 with his son Jonathan. Saul is now passing through a test. Hath he true faith which counts and depends on God? Is he obedient to His word as given by the prophet? Jonathan appears here for the first time. His name means “the Lord hath given.” He is the opposite from his poor father; the son is a man of real faith

1 SAMUEL 13, 14. SAUL'S EARLY STRUGGLES WITH THE PHILISTINES. (J), chiefly from the ancient narrative concerning Saul. Editorial notes, or additions from other sources, are 1 Samuel 13:1; 1 Samuel 7_ b,_ but as for Saul. Benjamin, 1 Samuel 13:15_ a_; 1 Samuel 13:19; 1 Samuel 14:47. 1 SAMUEL 13:1. If the present Hebrew text were regarded as correct and complete, the translation (_cf.mg._) would be, And Saul was a year old when he became king, and he reigned two years over Israel. Both periods are absurd. The edi

Saul's disobedience and its penalty 8. _the set time that Samuel had appointed_ It seems clear that the historian intends to refer to Samuel's injunction in 1 Samuel 10:8, although in all probability the interview there recorded had taken place many years before. But the command may have been repeated now, and in any case the spirit of it survived. Chosen by Jehovah expressly to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, Saul was not at liberty to begin the war of independence upon his own authority, but was to wait until duly commissioned to do so by Samuel....

DISCOURSE: 295 SAUL’S IMPATIENCE 1 Samuel 13:11. _And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, 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; therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord; I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt-offering. And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly._ IN a reply which Elihu made to Job, it is confidently asked, “Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked; and to princes, Ye are ungodly [Note: Job 34:18.]?” To this I answer, that doubtless respect and deference are due to rank; but not to such an extent as to compromise fidelity to God, an