I Samuel 13: Saul's Disobedience and Its Consequences
Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,
Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Beth–el, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.
And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Beth–aven.
When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.
And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.
And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:
And another company turned the way to Beth–horon: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.
Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.
So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.
Context: A Kingdom Tested
The story of I Samuel 13 unfolds against the backdrop of Israel's desire for a king, a desire born out of a lack of faith and a longing to be like the nations around them (I Samuel 8). God, in His sovereignty, granted their request, anointing Saul as the first king of Israel (I Samuel 9-10). However, this chapter reveals the early cracks in Saul's leadership, foreshadowing the rise of David, the man after God's own heart (I Samuel 16). The Philistines, a constant threat to Israel's security, serve as the catalyst for Saul's actions, exposing his impatience and ultimately, his disobedience.
Jonathan's Boldness and the Philistine Response (13:1-5)
Perhaps two years into his reign, Saul begins to assert his authority and challenge the Philistine dominance. He assembles a force of three thousand men, placing himself in command of two thousand at Michmash and Bethel. In a display of courage and initiative, Saul's son, Jonathan (introduced here, foreshadowing his important role later in the narrative and his unique friendship with David), strikes a blow against the Philistines by attacking their garrison at Geba (I Samuel 13:1-3). This victory, though significant, ignites the Philistine's wrath, prompting them to gather a massive army at Michmash, described as numerous as the sand on the seashore, ready to crush the Israelite rebellion. Jonathan's actions, while initially successful, inadvertently set the stage for a much larger conflict, testing the mettle of both Saul and the fledgling nation of Israel.
Fear and Flight (13:6-7)
The sheer size of the Philistine army strikes terror into the hearts of the Israelites. Instead of trusting in God for deliverance, the people scatter in fear, hiding in caves, thickets, rocks, tombs, and cisterns. Some even flee across the Jordan River to the perceived safety of the eastern side (I Samuel 13:6-7). This widespread panic reveals a lack of faith and a deep-seated insecurity within the nation, highlighting the consequences of their earlier demand for a king to be like other nations, rather than trusting in God's provision. Even Saul and his army, gathered at Gilgal, the site of their great earlier victory, are gripped with fear (13:7).
Saul's Impatience and Disobedience (13:8-9)
Saul's greatest failure in this chapter lies in his impatience and disobedience to God's command. He was instructed to wait for Samuel to arrive at Gilgal to offer sacrifices and seek God's favor before engaging in battle (I Samuel 13:8). However, as the days pass and the people continue to desert him, Saul succumbs to pressure and fear. In a desperate attempt to secure God's blessing and rally his troops, Saul takes matters into his own hands and offers the burnt offering himself, usurping the priestly role (I Samuel 13:9). This act of defiance demonstrates Saul's lack of trust in God's timing and his willingness to compromise God's commands for the sake of expediency.
Samuel's Rebuke and the Loss of the Kingdom (13:10-14)
Samuel arrives immediately after Saul finishes the offering, confronting him with the devastating consequences of his actions. "What have you done?" Samuel asks ominously (I Samuel 13:11). Saul's excuses, though seemingly plausible from a human perspective, fail to justify his disobedience. He claims that he felt compelled to act because the people were scattering, Samuel was late, and the Philistines were about to attack. However, Samuel makes it clear that Saul's actions were foolish and have cost him the kingdom. Because Saul failed to keep God’s command, his kingdom would not endure (I Samuel 13:13). The Lord will seek out a man after His own heart and appoint him as ruler over His people (I Samuel 13:14). This pronouncement marks a turning point in the narrative, setting the stage for the rise of David and the eventual transfer of the kingdom. This is an example of the interplay between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. God had already made it abundantly clear that Saul was not his choice, and earlier biblical prophecy foretold that God’s king would come from the tribe of Judah (see Genesis 49:8-10). But, Saul was still responsible for his actions and could have enjoyed God’s blessing on his reign.
Philistine Dominance and Israel's Weakness (13:15-23)
The consequences of Saul's disobedience extend beyond the loss of the kingdom. With a depleted army of only six hundred men, Saul is forced to retreat to Geba, facing the overwhelming Philistine forces at Michmash (I Samuel 13:15-16). The Philistines, aware of the threat posed by Israelite weaponry, had strategically deprived the Israelites of blacksmiths, preventing them from manufacturing swords and spears (I Samuel 13:19). As a result, only Saul and Jonathan possessed weapons, leaving the rest of the army vulnerable and ill-equipped for battle (I Samuel 13:22). This lack of resources further emphasizes Israel's weakness and dependence on God, a lesson that Saul failed to learn. The Philistines were successful in raids against the Israelites in three directions (13:16-18). The Israelites had to go to the Philistines even to sharpen their farming tools, paying exorbitant fees (I Samuel 13:20-21).
Lessons for Today
I Samuel 13 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience, patience, and trust in God's timing. Saul's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing human reasoning over divine instruction. His impatience and self-reliance led to disastrous consequences, not only for himself but also for the nation of Israel. As believers, we are called to wait on the Lord, to seek His guidance in all things, and to trust that He will provide for us in His perfect time. We must guard against the temptation to take matters into our own hands, remembering that true strength comes not from our own abilities but from the power of God working within us. Even when faced with daunting circumstances and overwhelming odds, we can find courage and hope in the knowledge that God is in control and that He will never abandon those who trust in Him.
Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,
Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Beth–el, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.
And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Beth–aven.
When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.
And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.
And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:
And another company turned the way to Beth–horon: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.
Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.
So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.
Context: A Kingdom Tested
The story of I Samuel 13 unfolds against the backdrop of Israel's desire for a king, a desire born out of a lack of faith and a longing to be like the nations around them (I Samuel 8). God, in His sovereignty, granted their request, anointing Saul as the first king of Israel (I Samuel 9-10). However, this chapter reveals the early cracks in Saul's leadership, foreshadowing the rise of David, the man after God's own heart (I Samuel 16). The Philistines, a constant threat to Israel's security, serve as the catalyst for Saul's actions, exposing his impatience and ultimately, his disobedience.
Jonathan's Boldness and the Philistine Response (13:1-5)
Perhaps two years into his reign, Saul begins to assert his authority and challenge the Philistine dominance. He assembles a force of three thousand men, placing himself in command of two thousand at Michmash and Bethel. In a display of courage and initiative, Saul's son, Jonathan (introduced here, foreshadowing his important role later in the narrative and his unique friendship with David), strikes a blow against the Philistines by attacking their garrison at Geba (I Samuel 13:1-3). This victory, though significant, ignites the Philistine's wrath, prompting them to gather a massive army at Michmash, described as numerous as the sand on the seashore, ready to crush the Israelite rebellion. Jonathan's actions, while initially successful, inadvertently set the stage for a much larger conflict, testing the mettle of both Saul and the fledgling nation of Israel.
Fear and Flight (13:6-7)
The sheer size of the Philistine army strikes terror into the hearts of the Israelites. Instead of trusting in God for deliverance, the people scatter in fear, hiding in caves, thickets, rocks, tombs, and cisterns. Some even flee across the Jordan River to the perceived safety of the eastern side (I Samuel 13:6-7). This widespread panic reveals a lack of faith and a deep-seated insecurity within the nation, highlighting the consequences of their earlier demand for a king to be like other nations, rather than trusting in God's provision. Even Saul and his army, gathered at Gilgal, the site of their great earlier victory, are gripped with fear (13:7).
Saul's Impatience and Disobedience (13:8-9)
Saul's greatest failure in this chapter lies in his impatience and disobedience to God's command. He was instructed to wait for Samuel to arrive at Gilgal to offer sacrifices and seek God's favor before engaging in battle (I Samuel 13:8). However, as the days pass and the people continue to desert him, Saul succumbs to pressure and fear. In a desperate attempt to secure God's blessing and rally his troops, Saul takes matters into his own hands and offers the burnt offering himself, usurping the priestly role (I Samuel 13:9). This act of defiance demonstrates Saul's lack of trust in God's timing and his willingness to compromise God's commands for the sake of expediency.
Samuel's Rebuke and the Loss of the Kingdom (13:10-14)
Samuel arrives immediately after Saul finishes the offering, confronting him with the devastating consequences of his actions. "What have you done?" Samuel asks ominously (I Samuel 13:11). Saul's excuses, though seemingly plausible from a human perspective, fail to justify his disobedience. He claims that he felt compelled to act because the people were scattering, Samuel was late, and the Philistines were about to attack. However, Samuel makes it clear that Saul's actions were foolish and have cost him the kingdom. Because Saul failed to keep God’s command, his kingdom would not endure (I Samuel 13:13). The Lord will seek out a man after His own heart and appoint him as ruler over His people (I Samuel 13:14). This pronouncement marks a turning point in the narrative, setting the stage for the rise of David and the eventual transfer of the kingdom. This is an example of the interplay between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. God had already made it abundantly clear that Saul was not his choice, and earlier biblical prophecy foretold that God’s king would come from the tribe of Judah (see Genesis 49:8-10). But, Saul was still responsible for his actions and could have enjoyed God’s blessing on his reign.
Philistine Dominance and Israel's Weakness (13:15-23)
The consequences of Saul's disobedience extend beyond the loss of the kingdom. With a depleted army of only six hundred men, Saul is forced to retreat to Geba, facing the overwhelming Philistine forces at Michmash (I Samuel 13:15-16). The Philistines, aware of the threat posed by Israelite weaponry, had strategically deprived the Israelites of blacksmiths, preventing them from manufacturing swords and spears (I Samuel 13:19). As a result, only Saul and Jonathan possessed weapons, leaving the rest of the army vulnerable and ill-equipped for battle (I Samuel 13:22). This lack of resources further emphasizes Israel's weakness and dependence on God, a lesson that Saul failed to learn. The Philistines were successful in raids against the Israelites in three directions (13:16-18). The Israelites had to go to the Philistines even to sharpen their farming tools, paying exorbitant fees (I Samuel 13:20-21).
Lessons for Today
I Samuel 13 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience, patience, and trust in God's timing. Saul's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing human reasoning over divine instruction. His impatience and self-reliance led to disastrous consequences, not only for himself but also for the nation of Israel. As believers, we are called to wait on the Lord, to seek His guidance in all things, and to trust that He will provide for us in His perfect time. We must guard against the temptation to take matters into our own hands, remembering that true strength comes not from our own abilities but from the power of God working within us. Even when faced with daunting circumstances and overwhelming odds, we can find courage and hope in the knowledge that God is in control and that He will never abandon those who trust in Him.