a. 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.
b. 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.
c. 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 and he felt that the battle wouldn’t be fought and that the plan wasn’t working out.
i. 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.
d. And he offered the burnt offering: This was plainly sinful. First, Saul 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.
i. History shows how dangerous it is to combine religious and civic authority and God would not allow the kings of Israel to be priests or the priests to be kings. In 2 Chronicles 26 King Uzziah tried to do the work of a priest and God struck him with leprosy.
ii. 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)
(Guzik)
Wait
Saul clearly got anxious and failed to wait as instructed.
We have the same problem of waiting on the Lord due to our sinful nature!
”Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!“ Psalms 27:14 NKJV
”But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.“ Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
We can clearly see that waiting on the Lord is a good thing and acting out of fear and panic is not.
Take your troubles to the Lord and wait on Him for an answer. And if you get anxious, pray some more!
Blessings
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