1 samuel 13:8 - He stayed seven days, according to the time set by Samuel; but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him.
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What does "1 samuel 13:8" mean?
This verse from 1 Samuel 13:8 is a crucial point in the narrative, highlighting Saul's disobedience and foreshadowing the loss of his kingdom. Let's break it down:
"He stayed seven days, according to the time set by Samuel...": Saul, newly appointed king, had been instructed by the prophet Samuel to wait seven days at Gilgal. Samuel was supposed to come and offer sacrifices before they went to war against the Philistines. This was a test of Saul's obedience and his reliance on God's guidance through Samuel.
"...but Samuel didn't come to Gilgal...": Samuel's delay is the catalyst for the problem. The text doesn't explicitly explain why Samuel was late, but it created a tense situation for Saul.
"...and the people were scattering from him.": This is the key consequence. Saul's army, seeing the approaching Philistine forces (mentioned in the previous verses) and the apparent lack of divine blessing (indicated by Samuel's absence and the lack of sacrifices), began to desert. This dwindling support threatened Saul's ability to fight the enemy.
In summary, the verse means that Saul waited the specified seven days for Samuel, but Samuel's delay caused the Israelite army to lose faith and begin deserting Saul. This placed Saul in a precarious position, feeling pressured to act independently of God's instructions.
Significance and Context:
This verse is pivotal because it leads directly to Saul's act of disobedience. Feeling desperate, Saul takes it upon himself to offer the burnt offering and peace offerings, a priestly duty that was reserved for Samuel. This act of usurping Samuel's role and acting independently of God's appointed leader is a major transgression.
The following verses in 1 Samuel 13 record Samuel's arrival and his rebuke of Saul. Samuel declares that because of Saul's disobedience, his kingdom will not endure, and God will seek a man after His own heart to replace him.
Therefore, this verse highlights the importance of obedience to God, the dangers of acting presumptuously, and the consequences of prioritizing immediate gains over long-term faithfulness. It is a turning point in Saul's reign, setting him on a path of disobedience that ultimately leads to his downfall. It also foreshadows the rise of David, the "man after God's own heart."
1 samuel 13:8 - He stayed seven days, according to the time set by Samuel; but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him.
What does "1 samuel 13:8" mean?
This verse from 1 Samuel 13:8 is a crucial point in the narrative, highlighting Saul's disobedience and foreshadowing the loss of his kingdom. Let's break it down:
"He stayed seven days, according to the time set by Samuel...": Saul, newly appointed king, had been instructed by the prophet Samuel to wait seven days at Gilgal. Samuel was supposed to come and offer sacrifices before they went to war against the Philistines. This was a test of Saul's obedience and his reliance on God's guidance through Samuel.
"...but Samuel didn't come to Gilgal...": Samuel's delay is the catalyst for the problem. The text doesn't explicitly explain why Samuel was late, but it created a tense situation for Saul.
"...and the people were scattering from him.": This is the key consequence. Saul's army, seeing the approaching Philistine forces (mentioned in the previous verses) and the apparent lack of divine blessing (indicated by Samuel's absence and the lack of sacrifices), began to desert. This dwindling support threatened Saul's ability to fight the enemy.
In summary, the verse means that Saul waited the specified seven days for Samuel, but Samuel's delay caused the Israelite army to lose faith and begin deserting Saul. This placed Saul in a precarious position, feeling pressured to act independently of God's instructions.
Significance and Context:
This verse is pivotal because it leads directly to Saul's act of disobedience. Feeling desperate, Saul takes it upon himself to offer the burnt offering and peace offerings, a priestly duty that was reserved for Samuel. This act of usurping Samuel's role and acting independently of God's appointed leader is a major transgression.
The following verses in 1 Samuel 13 record Samuel's arrival and his rebuke of Saul. Samuel declares that because of Saul's disobedience, his kingdom will not endure, and God will seek a man after His own heart to replace him.
Therefore, this verse highlights the importance of obedience to God, the dangers of acting presumptuously, and the consequences of prioritizing immediate gains over long-term faithfulness. It is a turning point in Saul's reign, setting him on a path of disobedience that ultimately leads to his downfall. It also foreshadows the rise of David, the "man after God's own heart."