1 samuel 13:11 - Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you didn’t come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines assembled themselves together at Michmash;
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What does "1 samuel 13:11" mean?
This verse is a key part of the story of Saul's disobedience in 1 Samuel 13. Here's a breakdown of what's happening and what the verse means:
Background: Saul is King of Israel, but his leadership is being tested. He's facing a Philistine army, and the Israelites are scared and deserting him. Samuel, the prophet and priest, had instructed Saul to wait for him at Gilgal to offer sacrifices before going into battle. This was important because it was a sign of seeking God's guidance and blessing for the war.
"Samuel said, 'What have you done?'": Samuel has arrived at Gilgal and is immediately confronting Saul. He knows Saul has done something wrong.
"Saul said, 'Because I saw that the people were scattered from me...'": This is the beginning of Saul's excuse. He claims that his army was dwindling because the people were deserting him out of fear. This reveals his insecurity and concern about his own power. He was losing control of the situation.
"...and that you didn't come within the days appointed...": Saul says Samuel was late. The implication is that Samuel's delay forced Saul's hand. He argues that because Samuel hadn't arrived on time, he felt justified in taking matters into his own hands.
"...and that the Philistines assembled themselves together at Michmash;": Saul adds that the Philistines were gathering and posed an immediate threat. He's trying to emphasize the urgency of the situation, suggesting that he couldn't afford to wait any longer.
In Summary:
Saul is attempting to justify his disobedience by blaming the circumstances: the people's fear, Samuel's lateness, and the Philistine threat. He is putting the blame outside of himself, instead of admitting that he should have trusted God and waited for Samuel as instructed.
Significance:
Disobedience: Saul disobeyed a direct command from God through Samuel. This act of disobedience has serious consequences.
Impatience and Lack of Faith: Saul lacked faith in God's timing and plan. He acted out of fear and pragmatism rather than trusting in God's provision.
Pride and Presumption: Saul usurped the priestly role, which was Samuel's job. He didn't wait for Samuel to offer the sacrifice because he thought he knew better or couldn't afford to wait.
Loss of Kingdom: This act of disobedience is the beginning of Saul's downfall. It marks the point where God begins to reject him as king and looks for someone else to take his place.
The verse highlights the dangers of prioritizing personal fears and perceived needs over obedience to God's commands. It is a crucial moment in the story, revealing Saul's flawed character and setting the stage for his eventual replacement by David.
1 samuel 13:11 - Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you didn’t come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines assembled themselves together at Michmash;
What does "1 samuel 13:11" mean?
This verse is a key part of the story of Saul's disobedience in 1 Samuel 13. Here's a breakdown of what's happening and what the verse means:
Background: Saul is King of Israel, but his leadership is being tested. He's facing a Philistine army, and the Israelites are scared and deserting him. Samuel, the prophet and priest, had instructed Saul to wait for him at Gilgal to offer sacrifices before going into battle. This was important because it was a sign of seeking God's guidance and blessing for the war.
"Samuel said, 'What have you done?'": Samuel has arrived at Gilgal and is immediately confronting Saul. He knows Saul has done something wrong.
"Saul said, 'Because I saw that the people were scattered from me...'": This is the beginning of Saul's excuse. He claims that his army was dwindling because the people were deserting him out of fear. This reveals his insecurity and concern about his own power. He was losing control of the situation.
"...and that you didn't come within the days appointed...": Saul says Samuel was late. The implication is that Samuel's delay forced Saul's hand. He argues that because Samuel hadn't arrived on time, he felt justified in taking matters into his own hands.
"...and that the Philistines assembled themselves together at Michmash;": Saul adds that the Philistines were gathering and posed an immediate threat. He's trying to emphasize the urgency of the situation, suggesting that he couldn't afford to wait any longer.
In Summary:
Saul is attempting to justify his disobedience by blaming the circumstances: the people's fear, Samuel's lateness, and the Philistine threat. He is putting the blame outside of himself, instead of admitting that he should have trusted God and waited for Samuel as instructed.
Significance:
Disobedience: Saul disobeyed a direct command from God through Samuel. This act of disobedience has serious consequences.
Impatience and Lack of Faith: Saul lacked faith in God's timing and plan. He acted out of fear and pragmatism rather than trusting in God's provision.
Pride and Presumption: Saul usurped the priestly role, which was Samuel's job. He didn't wait for Samuel to offer the sacrifice because he thought he knew better or couldn't afford to wait.
Loss of Kingdom: This act of disobedience is the beginning of Saul's downfall. It marks the point where God begins to reject him as king and looks for someone else to take his place.
The verse highlights the dangers of prioritizing personal fears and perceived needs over obedience to God's commands. It is a crucial moment in the story, revealing Saul's flawed character and setting the stage for his eventual replacement by David.