1 Samuel 13:8-15a – Saul’s Response to the Crisis
Faced with the incursion of a huge force into his territory and a frightened and fleeing people, new King Saul stands at a critical juncture. He is reluctant to engage the Philistines without “seeking the favour of the LORD” (verse 12) by offering sacrifices. He has been waiting for Samuel (verse 8), as told to in 10:8, which seems to have been a general instruction for times of need. He is waiting for Samuel, as priest of God to offer sacrifice and, as the prophet of God, to bring guidance. Seven days is a long wait when you are trembling with fear. Picture Saul asking each day, with increasing panic, “Is he here yet?” By the sixth day he’s standing watching constantly, surely half expecting to see the Philistines sweeping down the hills before Samuel has arrived. Day by day his camp is getting smaller (verse 8) until he only has 600 left (verse 15).
Here is Saul’s position: trouble is looming; he has a clear command to wait on God, but circumstances are deteriorating and hope is dwindling. Faced with these fears he makes a fatal decision in verse 9, offering the sacrifice himself. But Samuel comes on that day, the seventh day, as he had said (verse 10). Saul’s faith had failed, and his fears got the better of him. He disobeyed the command of God and refused to wait on God’s guidance. He relegated the importance of God’s Word and put religious ritual above listening to God’s Word. He tried to obtain God’s favour through disobedience. He does it his way, and it will be disastrous.
Don’t you see yourself here – faith giving way to fear in the face of frightening circumstances? We take matters into our own hands, often by doing something we know to be wrong. Like beginning a relationship with an unbeliever because we fear singleness and childlessness. Taking Sunday hours in work because we fear financial difficulties. Or often we think that going through the religious rituals of worship are more important than actually obeying God, as if that will bring us God’s favour. Doing it your way will be disastrous.
Questions
- Where in your life are fears looming large, and disobedience beginning to look attractive?
Prayer Points
- Pray for faith to hold to God’s Word when faced with fearful situations where God is asking you to wait on him.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.