The timeline for these events is a little fuzzy.

Back in chapter 10, Samuel gave these instructions to Saul after anointing him for the first time:

“After these signs take place, do what must be done, for God is with you. Then go down to Gilgal ahead of me. I will join you there to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. You must wait for seven days until I arrive and give you further instructions.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭10‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We know how the 3 signs came to pass and that everyone gathered at Mizpah (not Gilgal) where Saul was selected by lots. Then we get the narrative of Saul defeating the Ammonites (which the LXX and Dead Sea Scrolls date as happening a month later). And then Samuel invites the nation to Gilgal to confirm Saul as king. And they DO that.

Then, we get Saul with a small army at Michmash. Then we get Saul mustering a bigger army back at Gilgal. And this:

“Meanwhile, Saul stayed at Gilgal, and his men were trembling with fear. Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn’t come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are TWO distinct gatherings at Gilgal. One is a happy coronation with Samuel in prominence, 11:14-15. The other is a military rally (without Samuel) that quickly fizzles as the troops begin to desert, 13:4-8.

I’m not going to pretend to understand the timeline here. 🤔🗓️ It’s very possible that chapters 10-13 are not in strict chronological order. It certainly isn’t unusual in scripture to have a summary of events, then go back and tell them again in more detail. It’s possible that we lack some detail that would clarify.

The bottom line is, Saul KNEW he was supposed to wait for the instructions of the LORD through Samuel the Prophet.

If we go back to the beginning of chapter 13, we see Saul choose an army of 3000 men that he divides between himself and his son Jonathan. This army is much too big to be a personal body guard and much too small to be an army to fight the Philistines. What on earth is Saul doing?

In verse 3, we see Jonathan attacking the Philistine garrison at Geba. 🏰 This was no doubt done at Saul’s command. He has basically poked the hornet’s nest. Surely he knew that destroying one of their garrisons would bring on the retaliation of the Philistines. But he only has 3000 men in his army. He sent the rest home. Only to have to call them back because of this emergency. Again, what on earth is Saul doing? We read of no direction from the Lord to initiate this particular attack. Is he having delusions of grandeur? Does he perhaps think that he will be the next Gideon, defeating a vast army with a small group of unarmed men?

That’s the other thing. Keep in mind that Israel is under the control of the Philistines. They are NOT really a “kingdom” yet. They are an ethnic group living for 3 centuries on contested territory that, at the moment, is dominated by the Philistines. The Philistines enforce strict “sword-control” laws. ⚔️ You can’t even have a sharpening stone and blacksmithing is illegal. Saul’s little “army” was a rag-tag bunch of peasants armed with sling shots and farm implements. If that’s your army, you better KNOW that God has told you to go poke the hornet’s nest before you do it. 👀

But the nest is poked and out come the hornets. And these hornets have armor and carry swords, ⚔️ spears, and bows 🏹 with bronze-bladed arrows. No wonder so many of Saul’s men go awol – even fleeing the country all together.

Meanwhile Samuel tarries. ⏳ And Saul’s army gets smaller.

Matthew Henry in his commentary on 1 Samuel 13 compared the waiting Saul to the church awaiting the returning Jesus. Though many desert and run away out of fear, or even defect to the enemy, we must never doubt that the “Faithful Prophet” will come. We must not presume to take the helm and make the decisions that belong to the LORD alone.

It reminds me of this verse from Habakkuk:

“For there is yet a vision for the appointed time; it will give witness to the end, and it will not lie. If it tarries, wait for it, for it will surely come and not delay.”
‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭LEB‬‬

Samuel shows up at the last minute – as I imagine Jesus will do too. Saul has already taken upon himself the role of priest and prophet along with that of king. As the smoke of the offering ascends, Samuel demands an explanation. Let’s break down what Saul says:

“Because I saw that the army was scattering from me and you did not come at the appointed time and that the Philistines had gathered at Micmash, therefore I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not yet implored the face of Yahweh.’ So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭13‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭LEB‬‬

1. I saw that the army was scattering from me.
   • Saul believes he needs the validation that an army brings. What’s a king without an army? If he believed the army gave him legitimacy as king, then losing men is a threat to his legitimacy as king. He cannot allow that.
   • Saul was anointed king before he had an army. God’s servants are His servants whether they have the validation of man or not. Beware of tying your legitimacy in ministry to the approval of crowds.
2. You did not come at the appointed time.
   • Only, actually Samuel did. It was at the last minute, but he DID come.
   • Don’t tell yourself that God hasn’t shown up when it’s just that you’ve become impatient.
3. The Philistines have gathered at Micmash.
   • Philistines are gonna gather, Haters gonna hate. That does not excuse disobedience. Philistines are gonna do what they do. You honor Christ.
   • It doesn’t matter what the circumstances are, we don’t say, “Well, I feel threatened so all bets are off. I don’t have to trust God or obey the Word or love my neighbor now.” That’s called “moral relativism.”
4. Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal…
   • “Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow, because tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
     ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭34‬ ‭LEB‬‬
   • Projected fear is an unacceptable excuse for disobedience. 🫳🏼🎤
5. and I have not yet implored the face of Yahweh
   • Seems like maybe you should’ve thought of this before poking the hornet’s nest.
   • Maybe we should seek the face of Yahweh before we just go off and make that big decision.
6. So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering.
   • The word “forced” is always elsewhere translated “refrain.” It’s to constrain one’s self. It’s the idea of making yourself do something. We call it self-command or self-control. The Hebrew carries the idea of a strong command to collect yourself. “Pull yourself together.” Only, Saul should’ve focused his self control on making his self sit still and wait.
   • Don’t disobey and then tell yourself (and frame it to others) that you actually exercised self control.

Samuel is fooled by NONE of this. Saul’s impatient, doubtful disobedience cost him a Dynasty.

The Lord cannot entrust the leadership of his people to a man who rationalizes away his disobedience.

(I suggest reading that again then asking “Lord, is it I?)

Saul has been king for like 10 minutes, and already we know, that it’s not going to last.