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Saul Makes a Terrible Mistake
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that region. As the time drew near, desertions rapidly increased, and
those who did not leave were filled with terror.
When Saul was anointed king, Samuel had given him explicit
directions about what he should do at this time. “You shall go down
before me to Gilgal,” said the prophet, “and urely I will come down
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to you to offer burnt offerings and make sacrifices of peace offerings.
Seven days you shall wait, till I come to you and show you what you
should do.” (
1 Samuel 10:8
).
Discouraged by Circumstance
Day after day Saul waited, but without encouraging the people
and inspiring confidence in God. Before the designated time had
fully passed, he allowed himself to be discouraged by his difficult
circumstances. Instead of trying to prepare the people for the service
that Samuel was coming to perform, he indulged in unbelief. To
seek God by sacrifice was a most solemn work; God required His
people to search their hearts and repent of their sins, so that their
offerings would be acceptable, and He could bless their efforts to
conquer the enemy. But Saul had become restless, and the people,
instead of trusting in God for help, were looking to the king to lead
and direct them.
Yet the Lord still cared for them and did not abandon them. He
brought them into difficult places to convict them of how foolish it
is to depend on human strength and that they should turn to Him
as their only help. The time for testing Saul had come. Would
he depend on God and patiently wait according to His command,
showing that God could trust him as the ruler of His people, even
under pressure? Or would he be dishonorable and unworthy of his
sacred responsibility? Would the king listen to the Ruler of all kings?
Would he turn the attention of his fainthearted soldiers to the One
who has everlasting strength and deliverance?
With growing impatience he waited for Samuel to arrive, blaming
the prophet’s absence for the distress and desertion of his army. The
appointed time came, but the man of God did not appear. God’s
leading had delayed His servant. Feeling that he must do something
to calm the people, Saul decided to call an assembly and offer
sacrifice to seek divine aid. God had directed that only the priests