1 Samuel 13:13

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.

And Samuel {H8050} said {H559} to Saul {H7586}, Thou hast done foolishly {H5528}: thou hast not kept {H8104} the commandment {H4687} of the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, which he commanded {H6680} thee: for now would the LORD {H3068} have established {H3559} thy kingdom {H4467} upon Israel {H3478} for {H5704} ever {H5769}.

Sh'mu'el said to Sha'ul, "You did a foolish thing. You didn't observe the mitzvah of ADONAI, which he gave you. If you had, ADONAI would have set up your kingship over Isra'el forever.

“You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.

And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly; thou hast not kept the commandment of Jehovah thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would Jehovah have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

Commentary

In 1 Samuel 13:13, the prophet Samuel delivers a severe rebuke to King Saul, condemning his premature and unauthorized offering of a burnt sacrifice. This moment marks a pivotal point in Saul's reign, revealing a critical flaw in his character that would ultimately lead to the downfall of his dynasty.

Context

This verse occurs during a tense military standoff between the Israelites and the Philistines. King Saul had gathered his army at Gilgal, awaiting the arrival of Samuel, who was to offer sacrifices and provide divine guidance. Samuel had instructed Saul to wait seven days (1 Samuel 10:8). However, as the seventh day drew to a close, Saul's men began to scatter due to fear of the Philistines and Samuel's apparent delay. Impatient and presumptuous, Saul took it upon himself to offer the burnt offering, a duty reserved for priests like Samuel. Immediately after Saul completed the sacrifice, Samuel arrived and confronted him, leading to this sharp condemnation.

Key Themes

  • Obedience to God's Command: The core issue is Saul's direct disobedience to a clear instruction from the LORD, delivered through His prophet. God values obedience above all else, as famously stated later by Samuel: "to obey is better than sacrifice."
  • Divine Authority vs. Human Presumption: Saul, though king, overstepped the boundaries of his authority, intruding into the priestly domain. This act demonstrated a lack of trust in God's timing and a reliance on his own judgment rather than divine protocol.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Samuel's pronouncement reveals the grave consequence of Saul's action: the forfeiture of an enduring kingdom for his descendants. Had Saul waited and obeyed, his lineage would have been divinely established on the throne of Israel forever. His disobedience, however, set the stage for God to seek a new king, "a man after his own heart."

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "foolishly" is sakal (Strong's H5528), which implies acting senselessly, stupidly, or even wickedly. It's not merely a minor mistake but a profound error in judgment and a significant moral and spiritual failing that results in ruin. It highlights that Saul's action was not an innocent oversight but a deliberate, ill-conceived choice with serious implications for his relationship with God and his future as king.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the paramount importance of obedience to God. It teaches us that:

  • God's Timing is Perfect: We must learn to trust God's timing and His appointed methods, even when circumstances seem dire or delayed. Impatience can lead us to act outside of God's will.
  • Respect for Divine Authority: We are called to respect the boundaries God has set, whether in spiritual leadership, personal conduct, or our roles within the community. Presumption can lead to serious consequences.
  • Consequences Matter: Our choices, especially those involving obedience or disobedience to God's clear commands, have lasting consequences, not just for ourselves but potentially for future generations.
  • Humility is Key: Saul's failure stemmed from a lack of humility and a desire to control the situation himself. True leadership, and indeed true faith, requires humble submission to God's will.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 15:22 (11 votes)

    And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams.

  • 2 Chronicles 16:9 (8 votes)

    For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of [them] whose heart [is] perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

  • 1 Samuel 15:28 (7 votes)

    And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, [that is] better than thou.

  • 1 Samuel 15:11 (6 votes)

    It repenteth me that I have set up Saul [to be] king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

  • Psalms 50:8 (3 votes)

    I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, [to have been] continually before me.

  • Psalms 50:15 (3 votes)

    And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

  • 1 Kings 18:18 (3 votes)

    And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.