April 16th | 1 Samuel 13

Saul is now king of Israel, and he is about to lead the people in battle against the Philistines. But before he goes into battle, he must wait for Samuel. Samuel the prophet is to make a sacrifice to God before the battle to plead for God to help the people. 1 Samuel 13:8 says, 

“He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him.”

Saul was doing the right thing. He was waiting for Samuel. However, he started to get worried. “Will Samuel show up?” This leads to a devastating action from Saul. Saul takes it upon himself to make the sacrifice of the burnt offering. After he finishes, Samuel shows up. In 1 Samuel 13:11-13 it says, 

“11 Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, 12 I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” 13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you.” 

Wasn’t Saul doing the right thing? He was making a good decision to make the sacrifice to God. Why did Samuel scold him? The words, “So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering” are devastating to hear. 

Samuel went ahead of God. God wanted him to wait patiently and trust, but Saul got in front of God. I can be honest and say there are many times where I have had difficulty waiting. I want to do good things for the Lord. However, good things for the Lord aren’t always the things God wants us to do. Sometimes, patience and trust are what God is after in our lives. 1 Samuel 13:14 says, 

“14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”

This is a defining moment for Saul. While he wanted to do good things, his heart was directed towards himself and his goals, not God’s. God wants someone who has not just the outward actions but the heart. The heart to love God and be patient enough to follow Him. 

Today, where do you need to wait for the Lord? Are you doing good things but with a bad heart? Pray and ask God to help you wait and follow His lead.