1 Samuel chapter 13 verses 8-14 (NIV)
He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.“What have you done?” asked Samuel.Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD’s favour. ’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” “You have done a foolish thing, ” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command.”
Saul was prone to panic I think. In my opinion that was one of his biggest weaknesses. If things didn’t go the way he expected, he would jump in and take matters into his own hands. He was not setting a good example to his people.
Here, in this incident, we see this once again. Samuel did not arrive at the time he was expected. I think this was a test from the Lord and Saul failed it. The soldiers began to get restless, and Saul decided to do something. It was not his place to make the offering, but he tried to spiritualise his excuse for doing so. But that’s all it was – just an excuse.
It’s a warning to us that we are still answerable to God. He’s not looking for excuses, just obedience.
Dear Lord,
When I am tempted to take matters into my own hands, or try and justify my sin, for what Saul had done was sin, help me to remember what happened to Saul. He serves as an example, but not in the way he should have. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.