1 Samuel 10:8

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.

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}.

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."

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.”

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

1 Samuel 10:8 is a pivotal verse, detailing a specific command from the prophet Samuel to the newly anointed King Saul, setting the stage for future events and testing Saul's obedience.

Context

This instruction comes immediately after Samuel has privately anointed Saul as the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 10:1). Samuel gives Saul a series of signs and instructions to confirm his divine calling and prepare him for leadership. The command in verse 8 is a crucial final directive: Saul is to go to Gilgal, a significant spiritual and historical location in Israel, and wait there for seven days. Samuel promises to meet him there to offer sacrifices and provide further guidance. This directive serves as both a prophetic sign and a direct test of Saul's faithfulness and patience under God's appointed prophet.

Key Themes

  • Obedience and Patience: The primary theme is Saul's absolute need to obey Samuel's command and patiently wait for his arrival. This waiting period is a test of Saul's trust in God's timing and his willingness to submit to divine authority, even when it might seem inconvenient or urgent.
  • Divine Authority and Guidance: Samuel, as God's prophet, acts as the mediator of God's will to the king. This establishes the principle that even the king is under God's ultimate authority, communicated through His chosen representatives.
  • Sacrifice and Worship: The mention of "burnt offerings" and "peace offerings" highlights the centrality of proper worship in Israel. These sacrifices had specific purposes: burnt offerings (Hebrew: 'olah) symbolized complete dedication and atonement, while peace offerings (Hebrew: shelamim) represented fellowship and thanksgiving. Crucially, only priests were authorized to offer these, underscoring the boundary between kingly and priestly roles.
  • Foreshadowing of Future Events: This verse subtly foreshadows Saul's later failure to obey this very command, which ultimately leads to the loss of his kingdom (1 Samuel 13:8-14). It sets up a critical moment where Saul's character and leadership are tested by his adherence to God's specific instructions.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms for the sacrifices are significant: 'olah (burnt offering) literally means "that which goes up," referring to the smoke ascending to God, signifying total surrender. Shelamim (peace offering) is related to the word shalom, meaning "peace" or "completeness," reflecting the communal meal and fellowship with God that followed the offering. Samuel's instruction to offer these sacrifices himself emphasizes his priestly authority and the importance of orderly worship.

Practical Application

The account of 1 Samuel 10:8 teaches us the profound importance of obedience, especially when God's instructions involve patience and waiting. Just as Saul was commanded to wait for Samuel, we are often called to wait on God's timing and direction, trusting that He will reveal the next steps. It also highlights the significance of respecting spiritual authority and adhering to God's established order. Disregarding divine commands, even with seemingly good intentions, can lead to significant consequences, as Saul's story later demonstrates. This verse encourages us to cultivate a spirit of humble submission and patient expectation in our walk with God.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 11:14 (6 votes)

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

  • 1 Samuel 11:15 (6 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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 (4 votes)

    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.