1 Samuel 13:10

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end {H3615} of offering {H5927} the burnt offering {H5930}, behold, Samuel {H8050} came {H935}; and Saul {H7586} went out {H3318} to meet {H7125} him, that he might salute {H1288} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

As soon as he had finished sacrificing the burnt offering, there was Sh'mu'el -he had come, and Sha'ul went out to meet and greet him.

Berean Standard Bible

Just as he finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 13:10 captures the immediate and divinely orchestrated arrival of the prophet Samuel precisely as King Saul concludes an unauthorized burnt offering. This pivotal moment underscores Saul's impatience and disobedience, setting the stage for Samuel's pronouncement of judgment and marking a significant turning point in Saul's reign, revealing his unsuitability for kingship due to his failure to trust and obey God's specific commands.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the narrative of Saul's early kingship, specifically following his anointing and initial victories. The preceding verses (1 Samuel 13:1-9) detail the immense pressure Saul faced from the Philistine army at Michmash. Saul was at Gilgal, a significant spiritual and historical site for Israel, waiting for Samuel to come and offer sacrifices before engaging in battle, as explicitly commanded by Samuel in [1 Samuel 10:8](/1_samuel/10-8 "1 Samuel 10:8 - Samuel's Instruction to Saul"). As the appointed seven days drew to a close, and with his army scattering due to fear and the prophet's apparent delay, Saul took it upon himself to offer the burnt offering. Verse 10 immediately follows this act, presenting Samuel's sudden appearance, which serves as a divine punctuation mark on Saul's transgression and directly leads to the prophet's rebuke and the pronouncement of God's rejection of Saul's dynasty in [1 Samuel 13:13-14](/1_samuel/13-13 "1 Samuel 13:13-14 - Samuel's Rebuke and Prophecy").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of Saul's reign was a transitional era for Israel, moving from a tribal confederacy led by judges to a centralized monarchy. The Philistines were a formidable and constant threat, technologically superior with iron weaponry, while Israel largely possessed bronze. This military disparity created significant tension and pressure on Israel's leadership. Sacrifices, particularly burnt offerings, were central to Israelite worship, symbolizing complete devotion and atonement, and were strictly reserved for priests or prophets acting under divine instruction. Kings, while holding political authority, were not permitted to usurp priestly functions. Saul's act was not merely a ceremonial error but a profound challenge to the divinely established order, a display of impatience, and a lack of faith in God's timing and provision, especially in a time of national crisis. Gilgal itself held historical significance as the first encampment of Israel after crossing the Jordan, a place of covenant renewal and spiritual significance ([Joshua 5:9-10](/joshua/5-9 "Joshua 5:9-10 - Circumcision at Gilgal")).
* **Key Themes:** [1 Samuel 13:10](/1_samuel/13-10 "1 Samuel 13:10 - Samuel's Arrival") powerfully illustrates several core themes prevalent in the book of 1 Samuel and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the critical importance of **obedience over sacrifice**, a theme explicitly articulated later in [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better than Sacrifice"), where Samuel declares that "to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." Saul's act demonstrates a failure to trust God's timing and a reliance on human expediency, emphasizing the theme of **divine timing and human impatience**. Secondly, the verse underscores the **boundaries of authority** established by God; Saul, as king, overstepped his divinely appointed role by presuming priestly functions, revealing a dangerous blend of presumption and a lack of submission to God's ordained structure. Finally, this moment serves as a stark example of **consequences for disobedience**, as Samuel's immediate arrival and subsequent rebuke foreshadow the eventual rejection of Saul's dynasty, paving the way for the anointing of David, a man after God's own heart ([1 Samuel 13:14](/1_samuel/13-14 "1 Samuel 13:14 - God Seeks a Man After His Own Heart")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Made an end (Hebrew, _kalah'_):** This verb signifies completion, termination, or finishing. Its use here emphasizes the precise timing of Samuel's arrival – not during the offering, but immediately after its conclusion. This highlights the divine orchestration of events, ensuring that Saul's act was fully committed before the confrontation, leaving no room for excuses or interruption. It underscores the finality of Saul's transgressive act.
* **Burnt offering (Hebrew, _'olah'_):** This term refers to a specific type of sacrifice in ancient Israel where the entire animal was consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication, atonement, and devotion to God. For Saul to offer the _'olah_ was a usurpation of a priestly function, an act of profound spiritual significance that was strictly regulated. His unauthorized performance of this sacred ritual rendered it an act of rebellion rather than worship, demonstrating a disregard for God's established order and the sanctity of divine worship.
* **Salute (Hebrew, _barakh'_):** While commonly translated as "salute" or "bless," the verb _barakh_ here suggests a formal greeting or an attempt to show respect. Saul's action of going out to meet Samuel and "salute him" immediately after his transgression is telling. It could imply a superficial attempt to maintain decorum, to present an image of innocence, or even to preempt Samuel's potential anger with a show of deference. However, given the gravity of his disobedience, this gesture appears hollow, failing to mask the deeper issue of his heart's rebellion and lack of genuine repentance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering,"**: This opening clause establishes the dramatic timing of the narrative. The phrase "as soon as" (כְּהַכְּלֹתוֹ, _k'hakkeloto_) emphasizes the immediate, almost instantaneous, sequence of events. Saul's unauthorized act of offering the burnt offering is completed, leaving no ambiguity about his full commitment to the transgression. This precision highlights divine omniscience and the exact moment of accountability.
* **"behold, Samuel came;"**: The interjection "behold" (וְהִנֵּה, _v'hinneh_) introduces a sudden and significant event, creating a sense of dramatic tension and divine intervention. Samuel's arrival is not coincidental but divinely timed, serving as the immediate consequence and confrontation for Saul's disobedience. It underscores God's perfect timing and His awareness of human actions, even those performed under duress.
* **"and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him."**: Saul's reaction is to go out and greet Samuel. This action could be interpreted in several ways: a genuine attempt to explain himself, a feigned display of respect to mitigate the prophet's anger, or a desperate effort to maintain an appearance of normalcy after his profound error. Regardless of his intent, the act of "saluting" Samuel (greeting him formally) stands in stark contrast to the gravity of his preceding disobedience, setting the stage for the inevitable confrontation and judgment.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative in [1 Samuel 13:10](/1_samuel/13-10 "1 Samuel 13:10 - Samuel's Arrival") masterfully employs several literary devices to heighten its impact. The most prominent is **Irony**, as Samuel, whom Saul was impatiently waiting for, arrives precisely at the moment Saul finishes the very act he was forbidden to perform. This creates a powerful ironic twist, emphasizing Saul's lack of faith and God's perfect, albeit delayed, timing. There is also significant **Juxtaposition** between Saul's unauthorized, presumptuous act and Samuel's divinely appointed, authoritative presence. This immediate contrast highlights the two opposing forces at play: human will versus divine command. The suddenness of Samuel's appearance, marked by the interjection "behold," generates considerable **Dramatic Tension**, building anticipation for the impending confrontation and the consequences of Saul's actions. Furthermore, this verse serves as a crucial point of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the eventual rejection of Saul as king and the transfer of the kingdom, which Samuel explicitly pronounces in the subsequent verses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 13:10 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of obedience, authority, and divine timing. Saul's impatience and subsequent usurpation of priestly authority reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of his role as king under God's sovereignty. He prioritized immediate expediency and human fear over faithful adherence to God's explicit command, demonstrating a heart that was not fully submitted to the Lord. This incident underscores that God values obedience and trust more than ritualistic performance or human initiative, especially when such initiative contravenes divine instruction. It highlights that true leadership, particularly in God's kingdom, is characterized by humble submission to His will and patient reliance on His perfect timing, rather than self-reliant action driven by perceived necessity.

* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Over Sacrifice")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord")
* [Hebrews 10:5-7](/hebrews/10-5 "Hebrews 10:5-7 - Christ's Obedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of 1 Samuel 13:10 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine the posture of our hearts in times of pressure and uncertainty. Like Saul, we often face situations where waiting on God seems impractical, where human solutions appear more immediate and effective, or where the temptation to overstep our boundaries feels justified by perceived necessity. This verse reminds us that true faith is demonstrated not by our ability to perform religious acts, but by our unwavering obedience to God's specific commands and our patient trust in His perfect timing, even when circumstances seem dire or His presence feels delayed. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of humility, recognizing that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His timing is always perfect. Our role is to remain faithful to our assigned responsibilities, trusting that He will fulfill His promises in His own time and manner.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to act out of impatience rather than waiting on God's timing?**
* **How do you discern the boundaries of your God-given authority and avoid presuming roles or responsibilities that are not yours?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate deeper trust in God's sovereignty when faced with overwhelming pressure or uncertainty?**
* **How does the story of Saul's disobedience challenge your understanding of what God truly values: outward performance or inward obedience?**

### FAQ
**Why was Saul's offering of the burnt offering considered such a grave sin, given the pressure he was under?**

Answer: Saul's act was a grave sin for several reasons, despite the immense pressure from the Philistines and the scattering of his army. Firstly, it was a direct act of **disobedience** to Samuel's explicit command to wait seven days for the prophet to arrive and offer the sacrifices ([1 Samuel 10:8](/1_samuel/10-8 "1 Samuel 10:8 - Samuel's Initial Instruction")). Saul's impatience led him to prioritize human expediency over divine instruction. Secondly, and critically, it was an **usurpation of priestly authority**. In Israel, offering sacrifices was a sacred duty reserved for priests (from the line of Aaron) or prophets acting under direct divine mandate. Kings had political and military authority, but not priestly. By performing the burnt offering himself, Saul blurred the lines between kingly and priestly roles, challenging the divinely established order. This was not merely a ceremonial error but a profound act of rebellion against God's ordained structure and a demonstration of his lack of faith in God's ability to deliver Israel in His own time.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Saul's disobedience in [1 Samuel 13:10](/1_samuel/13-10 "1 Samuel 13:10 - Samuel's Arrival") provides a stark contrast that powerfully illuminates the perfect obedience and ultimate priesthood of Jesus Christ. Saul, the first king of Israel, failed under pressure, presuming a role not his own and demonstrating a lack of trust in God's timing. His act of offering a burnt offering, though intended to secure God's favor, was an act of rebellion that led to the rejection of his dynasty. In profound contrast, Jesus, the true King of Israel and the Son of God, perfectly fulfilled all righteousness through His unwavering obedience. He did not usurp authority but humbly submitted to His Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Unlike Saul's flawed and unauthorized sacrifice, Christ offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all burnt offering, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), a sacrifice that truly atones and brings reconciliation ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Furthermore, Jesus is our eternal High Priest, who mediates for us not by a temporary ritual but by His own blood, having entered the true heavenly sanctuary ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus Our High Priest") and [Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Perfect Priesthood")). Where Saul failed in impatient disobedience, Christ succeeded in perfect, trusting submission, establishing an eternal kingdom founded on His flawless righteousness and ultimate sacrifice.

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 15:13

And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed [be] thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.

Psalms 129:8

Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD [be] upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.

Ruth 2:4

¶ And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD [be] with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.