1 Samuel 10:8

KJV

And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, [and] to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt go down {H3381} before {H6440} me to Gilgal {H1537}; and, behold, I will come down {H3381} unto thee, to offer {H5927} burnt offerings {H5930}, and to sacrifice {H2076} sacrifices {H2077} of peace offerings {H8002}: seven {H7651} days {H3117} shalt thou tarry {H3176}, till I come {H935} to thee, and shew {H3045} thee what thou shalt do {H6213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then you are to go down ahead of me to Gilgal, and there I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and present sacrifices as peace offerings. Wait there seven days, until I come to you and tell you what to do."

Berean Standard Bible

And you shall go before me to Gilgal, and surely I will come to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you are to do.”

American Standard Version

And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt-offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace-offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come unto thee, and show thee what thou shalt do.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 10:8 records a crucial command from the prophet Samuel to the newly anointed King Saul, instructing him to go to Gilgal and wait for seven days until Samuel arrived to offer sacrifices and provide further divine direction. This directive served as a foundational test of Saul's obedience, patience, and submission to God's appointed authority, setting the stage for his initial reign and foreshadowing the critical juncture where his faithfulness would be truly tried.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the final instruction given by Samuel to Saul immediately following his private anointing as Israel's first king in [1 Samuel 10:1](/1_samuel/10-1 "1 Samuel 10:1 - Saul Anointed King"). Samuel had just provided Saul with three prophetic signs designed to confirm his divine calling and empower him for leadership: encountering two men at Rachel's tomb, meeting three men going to Bethel, and joining a company of prophets. These signs served to build Saul's confidence and demonstrate God's hand upon him. The command to go to Gilgal and wait for Samuel, therefore, is not merely an itinerary but a critical final test of obedience, patience, and submission to prophetic authority, coming right before Saul's public acclamation as king in [1 Samuel 10:17](/1_samuel/10-17 "1 Samuel 10:17-27 - Saul Proclaimed King").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Gilgal was a site of profound historical and spiritual significance for Israel. It was the first encampment of the Israelites after crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land ([Joshua 4:19](/joshua/4-19 "Joshua 4:19 - Israel Enters Canaan at Gilgal")), where the covenant of circumcision was renewed ([Joshua 5:2](/joshua/5-2 "Joshua 5:2-9 - Circumcision at Gilgal")), and where the Passover was observed ([Joshua 5:10](/joshua/5-10 "Joshua 5:10 - Passover at Gilgal")). It served as a base for military operations during the conquest ([Joshua 10:6](/joshua/10-6 "Joshua 10:6-9 - Battle of Gibeon")), and Samuel himself frequently visited Gilgal as a judicial and sacrificial center ([1 Samuel 7:16](/1_samuel/7-16 "1 Samuel 7:16 - Samuel's Circuit")). The instruction for Saul to go to Gilgal thus placed him in a location steeped in Israel's covenant history, emphasizing the continuity of God's work and the importance of proper worship and obedience at a place of national significance. The cultural expectation was that sacrifices, especially burnt offerings and peace offerings, were to be performed by authorized priests, highlighting Samuel's priestly role in this context.
* **Key Themes:** The central themes emerging from [1 Samuel 10:8](/1_samuel/10-8 "1 Samuel 10:8 - Samuel's Command to Saul") are **obedience and submission to divine authority**. Saul, as the newly anointed king, is immediately put to the test regarding his willingness to follow God's specific instructions, mediated through His prophet, Samuel. This highlights the principle that even the king is under the ultimate authority of God, not above it. Another significant theme is **patience and waiting on God's timing**, as Saul is commanded to wait for a full seven days, a period that would test his trust and self-control. The mention of **sacrifices and proper worship** underscores the centrality of Israel's covenant relationship with God, where offerings like the burnt offering (symbolizing complete dedication) and peace offering (symbolizing fellowship and thanksgiving) were vital. Finally, this verse serves as a powerful instance of **foreshadowing**, subtly setting up the critical moment in [1 Samuel 13:8](/1_samuel/13-8 "1 Samuel 13:8-14 - Saul's Disobedience at Gilgal") where Saul's failure to adhere to this very command leads to the tragic pronouncement of his kingdom's removal.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gilgal (Hebrew, _Gilgal'_):** This geographical location, meaning "circle" or "rolling," held immense historical and spiritual significance for Israel. It was the first camp after crossing the Jordan, where the reproach of Egypt was "rolled away" ([Joshua 5:9](/joshua/5-9 "Joshua 5:9 - The Reproach Rolled Away")). It served as a central worship site and a place of covenant renewal. By commanding Saul to go to Gilgal, Samuel was directing him to a place deeply connected to Israel's identity, history, and covenant with God, emphasizing the spiritual foundation of his new kingship.
* **Burnt Offerings (Hebrew, _'olah'_):** Literally meaning "that which goes up," the burnt offering was a whole burnt sacrifice, completely consumed by fire on the altar, with its smoke ascending to God. It symbolized total dedication, consecration, and atonement for sin. The offering of an _'olah_ by Samuel (or by Saul, if he had waited for Samuel) would signify a complete surrender to God's will and a plea for divine favor for the new king and the nation.
* **Peace Offerings (Hebrew, _shelamim'_):** Derived from the root _shalom_ (peace, completeness, well-being), the peace offering was a sacrifice of fellowship and thanksgiving. Unlike the burnt offering, only a portion was burned on the altar, with the remainder shared by the offerer, the priests, and their families in a communal meal. This offering signified a state of peace and communion with God, celebrating His blessings and faithfulness. Samuel's intention to offer these sacrifices underscores the importance of communal worship and maintaining a right relationship with God at the outset of Saul's reign.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal;":** This is a direct, imperative command from Samuel to Saul. The phrase "go down" likely refers to a geographical descent from wherever Saul was (perhaps Gibeah or a higher elevation) to the plain where Gilgal was located. It establishes Samuel's authority over Saul, even in logistical matters, and sets the specific location for the upcoming divine encounter and test.
* **"and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, [and] to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings:":** Samuel promises his arrival at Gilgal, specifying his purpose: to perform sacred sacrifices. The mention of "burnt offerings" and "peace offerings" highlights the solemn, religious nature of the meeting. Crucially, only authorized priests were permitted to offer these sacrifices, underscoring Samuel's dual role as prophet and priest (or one acting with priestly authority) and the strict boundaries of worship in Israel.
* **"seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.":** This clause introduces the critical element of patience and waiting. Saul is given a specific timeframe – seven days – during which he is to wait for Samuel's arrival. This period is a direct test of his obedience, trust in God's timing, and submission to Samuel's prophetic guidance. The promise "and shew thee what thou shalt do" indicates that further divine instructions and strategic guidance for his kingship would be revealed only after this period of waiting and proper worship.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as this seemingly simple command directly sets up Saul's later, fateful disobedience in [1 Samuel 13:8](/1_samuel/13-8 "1 Samuel 13:8-14 - Saul's Disobedience at Gilgal"), where his failure to wait the prescribed seven days leads to the loss of his dynasty. This creates dramatic irony for the reader, who knows the tragic outcome. The specific mention of **sacrifices** (burnt offerings and peace offerings) serves as **symbolism**, representing total consecration, atonement, fellowship, and the essential role of proper worship in Israel's relationship with God. The **command** itself functions as a **test**, evaluating Saul's character, patience, and submission to divine authority. The repeated emphasis on "coming down" (Samuel to Saul, Saul to Gilgal) subtly hints at the divine condescension and the prophet's role as God's messenger descending to meet the human king.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 10:8 powerfully illustrates the critical importance of obedience to God's specific commands, even when they involve waiting and submission to delegated authority. It establishes a foundational principle for leadership in Israel: the king is not above God's law or His chosen prophets. Saul's immediate test is not one of military prowess but of spiritual discipline – his willingness to trust God's timing and process, rather than rushing ahead in his own strength or anxiety. This passage underscores that true authority and effective leadership flow from humble submission to divine guidance, and that proper worship, mediated by authorized individuals, is essential for maintaining covenant relationship and receiving God's continued direction. The failure to adhere to such divine mandates, as Saul later demonstrates, carries severe consequences, highlighting the seriousness of God's expectations for His anointed leaders.

* [1 Samuel 13:8](/1_samuel/13-8 "1 Samuel 13:8-14 - Saul's Disobedience and Rejection")
* [Deuteronomy 18:18](/deuteronomy/18-18 "Deuteronomy 18:18-19 - The Prophet Like Moses")
* [Proverbs 3:5](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The divine instruction given to Saul in 1 Samuel 10:8 serves as a timeless reminder of the spiritual discipline required in our walk with God: the necessity of patient obedience. Just as Saul was commanded to wait for Samuel, we are frequently called to wait on God's timing, trusting that His plan and His revelation will unfold precisely when and how they should. In a world that often prizes immediate action and self-reliance, this verse challenges us to cultivate a spirit of humble submission, recognizing that true wisdom often lies in waiting for divine guidance rather than forging ahead prematurely. Our willingness to submit to God's authority, often mediated through His Word or trusted spiritual leaders, is a direct measure of our faith. Saul's subsequent failure to obey this command illustrates the perilous consequences of impatience and self-will, urging us to consider whether our actions are truly aligned with God's revealed will or driven by our own anxieties and perceived necessities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently being called to wait on God's timing, rather than acting prematurely?**
* **How does Saul's initial test of obedience in this verse challenge your understanding of spiritual authority and submission?**
* **What anxieties or pressures might tempt you to disregard a clear divine instruction, even if it seems inconvenient or slow?**
* **How can cultivating patience and trust in God's timing deepen your relationship with Him and prepare you for future guidance?**

### FAQ

**Why was Gilgal such an important location for this command?**

Answer: Gilgal was strategically and spiritually significant. Historically, it was the first encampment of the Israelites after crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land ([Joshua 4:19](/joshua/4-19 "Joshua 4:19 - Israel Enters Canaan at Gilgal")), a place of covenant renewal (circumcision, [Joshua 5:2](/joshua/5-2 "Joshua 5:2-9 - Circumcision at Gilgal")), and where the Passover was first celebrated in Canaan ([Joshua 5:10](/joshua/5-10 "Joshua 5:10 - Passover at Gilgal")). It was also a frequent site for Samuel's judicial and sacrificial activities ([1 Samuel 7:16](/1_samuel/7-16 "1 Samuel 7:16 - Samuel's Circuit")). By directing Saul to Gilgal, Samuel was placing the new king in a location steeped in Israel's covenant history and divine encounters, emphasizing the spiritual foundation of his reign and the importance of proper worship and obedience at a place of national significance. It underscored that Saul's kingship was rooted in God's covenant with Israel.

**Why was the seven-day waiting period so crucial?**

Answer: The seven-day waiting period was a direct and critical test of Saul's obedience, patience, and submission to God's authority, as mediated through Samuel. It wasn't just about the duration but about the principle of waiting on God's appointed time and method. This period would test Saul's trust in God's plan, his ability to control his own impulses, and his willingness to acknowledge Samuel's prophetic authority. It was a foundational lesson for a king who would need to rely on divine guidance rather than self-reliance. Saul's failure to wait the full seven days later in [1 Samuel 13:8](/1_samuel/13-8 "1 Samuel 13:8-14 - Saul's Disobedience and Rejection") proved to be a pivotal moment leading to the loss of his kingdom, highlighting the profound importance of this initial command.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Saul's instruction and subsequent failure at Gilgal finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Saul, as the first earthly king of Israel, was given a specific command to wait and obey, a test he ultimately failed, leading to the loss of his kingdom and the anointing of David. This foreshadows the need for a perfect King, one who would perfectly obey God's will. Jesus Christ is the ultimate King, the true Son of David, who perfectly fulfilled all righteousness and God's commands, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")). Unlike Saul, who impatiently offered an unauthorized sacrifice, Christ Himself became the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), fulfilling the true meaning of the burnt and peace offerings. His perfect obedience, even in waiting upon the Father's timing, secures an eternal kingdom, not just for a dynasty but for all who believe in Him ([Hebrews 5:8](/hebrews/5-8 "Hebrews 5:8-9 - Christ's Perfect Obedience"); [Hebrews 9:11](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). In Christ, we see the King who perfectly submitted to divine authority, perfectly offered the ultimate sacrifice, and perfectly waited on God's plan, securing our eternal peace and fellowship with God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 11:14

Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.

1 Samuel 11:15

And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

1 Samuel 13:4

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.

1 Samuel 13:8

¶ 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.

1 Samuel 13:15

¶ 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.

1 Samuel 15:33

And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.