1 samuel 15:12 - Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning; and Samuel was told, saying, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself, and turned, and passed on, and went down to Gilgal.”
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What does "1 samuel 15:12" mean?
This verse from 1 Samuel 15:12 is significant in understanding the conflict between Samuel and Saul, and ultimately foreshadows Saul's rejection as king. Let's break it down:
"Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning...": This shows Samuel's diligence and obedience to God. He's actively seeking Saul, expecting a positive report after Saul's battle with the Amalekites.
"...and Samuel was told, saying, 'Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself...'": This is the crux of the problem. Saul, rather than fulfilling God's command to utterly destroy the Amalekites and their possessions, went to Carmel (a town in Judah) and erected a monument to himself. This act of self-aggrandizement reveals Saul's pride and disobedience. He is taking credit for a victory that was supposed to be solely attributed to God. Monuments are usually erected to commemorate significant victories or honor someone, and in this context, Saul is doing it to glorify himself.
"...and turned, and passed on, and went down to Gilgal.": This indicates Saul's route. He erected the monument in Carmel, then continued onward and eventually went to Gilgal. Gilgal was a significant place, often associated with religious ceremonies and military gatherings. It was where Saul was first made king (1 Samuel 11:15), making his return there laden with expectation.
In summary, the verse highlights these key points:
Saul's Disobedience: Saul didn't follow God's instructions completely.
Saul's Pride: He erected a monument to himself, demonstrating arrogance and a desire for personal glory instead of giving credit to God.
Imminent Confrontation: The verse sets the stage for Samuel's confrontation with Saul, where Saul's disobedience will be revealed and judged.
The verse is crucial because it reveals a fundamental flaw in Saul's character: his ego and willingness to prioritize his own reputation over obedience to God. This flaw will ultimately lead to his downfall. God had instructed Saul to destroy everything belonging to the Amalekites. By setting up a monument to himself, Saul was essentially telling everyone about his victory and taking credit for it, which was a direct act of disobedience against God, as the victory belonged to God.
1 samuel 15:12 - Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning; and Samuel was told, saying, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself, and turned, and passed on, and went down to Gilgal.”
What does "1 samuel 15:12" mean?
This verse from 1 Samuel 15:12 is significant in understanding the conflict between Samuel and Saul, and ultimately foreshadows Saul's rejection as king. Let's break it down:
"Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning...": This shows Samuel's diligence and obedience to God. He's actively seeking Saul, expecting a positive report after Saul's battle with the Amalekites.
"...and Samuel was told, saying, 'Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself...'": This is the crux of the problem. Saul, rather than fulfilling God's command to utterly destroy the Amalekites and their possessions, went to Carmel (a town in Judah) and erected a monument to himself. This act of self-aggrandizement reveals Saul's pride and disobedience. He is taking credit for a victory that was supposed to be solely attributed to God. Monuments are usually erected to commemorate significant victories or honor someone, and in this context, Saul is doing it to glorify himself.
"...and turned, and passed on, and went down to Gilgal.": This indicates Saul's route. He erected the monument in Carmel, then continued onward and eventually went to Gilgal. Gilgal was a significant place, often associated with religious ceremonies and military gatherings. It was where Saul was first made king (1 Samuel 11:15), making his return there laden with expectation.
In summary, the verse highlights these key points:
Saul's Disobedience: Saul didn't follow God's instructions completely.
Saul's Pride: He erected a monument to himself, demonstrating arrogance and a desire for personal glory instead of giving credit to God.
Imminent Confrontation: The verse sets the stage for Samuel's confrontation with Saul, where Saul's disobedience will be revealed and judged.
The verse is crucial because it reveals a fundamental flaw in Saul's character: his ego and willingness to prioritize his own reputation over obedience to God. This flaw will ultimately lead to his downfall. God had instructed Saul to destroy everything belonging to the Amalekites. By setting up a monument to himself, Saul was essentially telling everyone about his victory and taking credit for it, which was a direct act of disobedience against God, as the victory belonged to God.