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1 Samuel 13:8

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¶ 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 he tarried {H3176}{H3176} seven {H7651} days {H3117}, according to the set time {H4150} that Samuel {H8050} had appointed: but Samuel {H8050} came {H935} not to Gilgal {H1537}; and the people {H5971} were scattered {H6327} from him.

He waited seven days, as Sh'mu'el had instructed; but Sh'mu'el didn't come to Gilgal; so the army began to drift away from him.

And Saul waited seven days for the time appointed by Samuel, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the troops began to desert Saul.

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.

Commentary

Context

First Samuel 13:8 finds King Saul in a precarious situation at Gilgal, facing a formidable Philistine army (as described in 1 Samuel 13:5). Earlier, the prophet Samuel had given Saul a specific instruction: to wait seven days at Gilgal for Samuel to arrive and offer sacrifices (see 1 Samuel 10:8). This instruction was a crucial test of Saul's obedience and reliance on God as the newly appointed king. As the seventh day draws to a close, Samuel has not appeared, and the Israelite army, demoralized and fearful, begins to scatter, putting immense pressure on Saul.

Key Themes

  • Obedience and Patience: This verse highlights Saul's struggle with patience and his ultimate failure to fully obey Samuel's clear command. His inability to wait underscores a lack of trust in God's timing and provision, even under duress.
  • Testing of Faith: Samuel's delay served as a divine test for Saul. It was an opportunity for the king to demonstrate unwavering faith and adherence to God's ordained process, regardless of the daunting external circumstances.
  • Leadership Under Pressure: Saul was under immense pressure from a deserting army and an approaching enemy. The verse illustrates the difficult decisions leaders face and how true leadership requires spiritual steadfastness, not just tactical acumen.
  • Consequences of Impatience: Saul's impatience and subsequent rash action (detailed in 1 Samuel 13:9) ultimately led to severe consequences for his kingship, demonstrating the importance of divine timing over human expediency.

Practical Application

The narrative of 1 Samuel 13:8 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us of the critical importance of patience and implicit obedience to God's Word and His appointed leaders, even when circumstances are challenging or unclear. Like Saul, we often face situations that test our faith and tempt us to take matters into our own hands rather than waiting on God's perfect timing. This verse encourages us to trust that God is sovereign, even in delays, and that true spiritual strength is found in waiting on Him. It serves as a powerful reminder that obedience is more valuable than any self-initiated act of devotion.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 10:8 (10 votes)

    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.