1 Samuel 13:8

_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._ He tarried seven days. Saul was still at Gilgal, in the eastern borders of his kingdom, in the valley of Jordan. ACCORDING TO THE SET TIME THAT SAMUEL HAD APPOINTED., [The Septuagint, Dielipen hepta heemeras too marturioo, hoos eipe Samoueel, he tarried seven days at the Testimony, as Samuel said.] Some bolder spirits had ventured to join the camp at Gilgal; but even the courage or those stout-hearted men gave way in prospect of this terrible visitation; and as many of them were stealing away, Saul thought some immediate and decided step must be taken. He seems to have waited until the seventh day was far advanced; probably until about the time of the evening sacrifice....

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 13:8. _HE TARRIED SEVEN DAYS ACCORDING TO THE SET TIME_] Samuel in the beginning had told Saul to wait _seven days_, and he would come to him, and _show him what to do_, 1 Samuel 10:8. What is here said cannot be understood of that appointment, but of a different one. Samuel had at this time promised to come to him within seven days, and he kept his word, for we find him there before the day was ended; but as Saul found he did not come at the beginning of the _seventh day_, he became impatient, took the whole business into his own hand, and acted the parts of prophet, priest, and king; and thus he attempted a most essential change in the Israelitish constitution. In it the king, the prophet, and the priest, are in their nature perfectly distinct. What such a rash person m...

HAD APPOINTED - This appointment has of course nothing whatever to do with that made years before 1 Samuel 10:8, the keeping of which is expressly mentioned at the natural time 1 Samuel 11:15. But Samuel had again, on this later occasion, made an appointment at the end of seven days. It seems to have been as a trial of faith and obedience, under which, this time, Saul unhappily broke down....

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 HE TARRIED SEVEN DAYS, ACCORDING TO THE SET TIME THAT SAMUEL HAD APPOINTED,.... He tarried to the seventh day, but not to the end of it, or towards the close of it, as he should have done: BUT SAMUEL CAME NOT TO GILGAL; so soon as Saul expected: AND THE PEOPLE WERE SCATTERED FROM HIM; many deserted him, the Philistines drawing nigh, and Samuel not coming, as Saul expected, and had given the people reason to expect....

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

HAD APPOINTED. Some codices, with three early printed editions, Aramaean, and Septuagint, read "said". Some codices read "appointed"....

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....