ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 Monite Tisema 13, 2021

Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel

Pea ne tatali ‘o ‘aho fitu ki he kotofa na‘e fai ‘e Sāmiuela

 

1 Samiuela 13 (1 Samuel 13)

(v. 8-9) Pea ne tatali ‘o ‘aho fitu ki he kotofa na‘e fai ‘e Sāmiuela; ka kuo ‘ikai ha‘u ‘a Sāmiuela ki Kilikali; pea na‘e kamata movete ‘a e kakai meiate ia. Pea me‘a ‘e Saula, ‘Unuaki mai kiate au ‘a e feilaulau-mōifua mo e ngaahi feilaulau-‘ofa; pea ne ‘atu ‘a e feilaulau-mōifua.

(v. 8-9) Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. So Saul said, “Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.” And he offered the burnt offering.

 G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

There is some difficulty concerning the opening sentences of this chapter. Some words seem to be omitted, which make it difficult to place the events recorded in their chronological setting. The Authorized Version reads, "Saul reigned one year, and when he had reigned two years. . . ." The Revised Version reads, "Saul was (thirty) years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years over Israel." The American Revision reads, "Saul was (forty) years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years over Israel." Quite evidently at some point in the work of transmission, a word was omitted.

The rest of the chapter, and, indeed, the whole of the following chapter gives us the account of the wars he waged. He first created an army of 3,000 men. The Philistines, who looked on the Hebrews as easy prey, for they were practically without arms, gathered themselves together to attempt to break the power of the chosen people. The enormous strength of the enemy filled the Israelites with fear, and they scattered, hiding themselves in caves and thickets, in rocks, and coverts, and pits.

It was under these circumstances that Saul's self-dependence manifested itself in his offering of sacrifice in the absence, and without the instruction, of Samuel. If such an action does not appear to be very serious, it must be remembered that its peril lay in its manifestation of Saul's insubordination to the will and appointment of God in the smallest matters.

 David Guzik :: Study Guide for 1 Samuel 12

He waited seven days: Saul was in Gilgal for many months. In the press of the current crisis, every day now seemed much more important. He knew the Philistines were assembling a huge army against him, and that once they were organized they would be much harder to beat. Saul probably felt that a quick response gave them the best chance to win the battle.

According to the time set by Samuel: Samuel told Saul to wait for him at Gilgal. Then Samuel would preside over sacrifices and Israel would be spiritually ready for battle.

But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him: This added to Saul’s anxiety. First the waiting for Samuel was stressful because he felt time was his enemy. Second, the people were scattered from him feeling that the battle wouldn’t be fought and that the plan wasn’t working out.

We may imagine that in the early part of the week, Saul explained his thinking in a pep talk to the troops: “Men, we’re going into battle against the Philistines. They have more men, more chariots, more horses, and better swords and spears than we have. So we have to trust God and make a quick attack before they can get organized. Soon Samuel will come and lead us in sacrifice before God. Then we’ll go out and whip the Philistines!” But it didn’t happen like that. The days dragged on and Samuel didn’t come. The troops were losing confidence in Saul as a leader, and beginning to scatter. Saul felt he was in a lot of trouble.

And he offered the burnt offering: This was plainly sinful. First, Saul plainly disobeyed Samuel. Second, Saul was a king, not a priest, and only priests were to offer sacrifices. Saul had no business doing what only a priest should do.

History shows how dangerous it is to combine religious and civic authority and God would not allow the kings of Israel to be priests and the priests to be kings. In 2 Chronicles 26, King Uzziah tried to do the work of priest and God struck him with leprosy.

Out of fear, out of panic, out of not knowing what else to do, Saul did something clearly sinful. “If Saul was among the prophets before, will he now be among the priests? Can there be any devotion in disobedience? O vain man! What can it avail to sacrifice to God, against God?” (Trapp)