1 Samuel 13 10

1 Samuel 13:10 kjv

And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.

1 Samuel 13:10 nkjv

Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him.

1 Samuel 13:10 niv

Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.

1 Samuel 13:10 esv

As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him.

1 Samuel 13:10 nlt

Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him,

1 Samuel 13 verses

1 Samuel 13 10 Meaning

This verse describes the immediate consequence of King Saul's disobedience at Gilgal. As soon as Saul completes the unauthorized burnt offering, the prophet Samuel arrives, fulfilling the set time, though not in the way Saul hoped. Saul's subsequent act of greeting Samuel attempts to normalize the situation, but it is too late, as his breach of divine instruction and priestly authority has already occurred, setting the stage for his condemnation.

1 Samuel 13 10 Context

Chapter 13 of 1 Samuel depicts the rising military conflict between Israel and the Philistines. Saul, Israel's first king, finds himself in a desperate situation. The Philistine army has amassed a formidable force, greatly outnumbering the Israelites. Saul's own men are scattered, trembling, and deserting him out of fear. Samuel had instructed Saul to wait for him at Gilgal for seven days, during which Samuel would come to offer burnt offerings and peace offerings to seek God's favor. As the seventh day was drawing to a close, and with Samuel not yet arrived, the Philistines advancing, and his own army dwindling, Saul, under immense pressure and displaying a critical lack of faith and patience, decided to take matters into his own hands and offer the burnt offering himself. This act was a grave violation of the divinely established order, as sacrificial offerings were the exclusive prerogative of authorized priests, not kings. Verse 10 precisely marks the climactic moment where Samuel, the prophet, arrives just as Saul finishes his act of presumption, rendering any attempted justification by Saul immediately moot. This incident at Gilgal is a pivotal turning point, serving as the first major act of disobedience by Saul that seals his dynasty's fate.

1 Samuel 13 10 Word analysis

• As soon as: The Hebrew phrase ka'asher (כאשר) emphasizes the immediate and direct temporal connection between Saul's completion of the offering and Samuel's arrival. This timing highlights divine oversight, making Samuel's appearance precisely at this juncture profoundly significant and providential.
• he had finished offering: The Hebrew kallotho he'aloth (ככלותו העלות) means "when he had completed bringing up" (the offering). This signifies the full performance and completion of the unauthorized ritual, not merely an intention or partial act. Saul had fully crossed the line. The term for "offering" here is derived from the root עלה (alah), meaning "to ascend," referring to the smoke ascending to God, representing total devotion or atonement.
• the burnt offering: Hebrew עֹלָה (olah). This was a specific type of sacrifice where the entire animal (except for the skin, which went to the priest) was consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication, atonement, or propitiation. Its significance required the most scrupulous adherence to protocol and priestly authority, making Saul's action particularly egregious. Kings were not authorized to perform such priestly duties.
• behold: The Hebrew הנה (hineh) is an interjection often used to draw attention to an immediate, sudden, or significant event. It dramatically emphasizes Samuel's precisely timed and unexpected (for Saul) appearance. It highlights the divine precision in monitoring Saul's actions.
• Samuel came: The arrival of the prophet, long awaited and divinely ordained to be there, at this exact moment of transgression, confirms God's full awareness of Saul's actions. Samuel's presence validates the act as disobedience and serves as God's immediate response.
• and Saul went out: This suggests an outward movement, perhaps to greet Samuel with a semblance of normalcy or even honor, despite his recent act of rebellion.
• to meet him and greet him: Hebrew לִקְרָאתוֹ לְבָרְכוֹ (liqra'ato levarekko). "To meet him" (liqra'ato) implies an encounter. "To greet him" (levarekko) from the root barak means "to bless," but in this context, it functions as a formal salutation or inquiry of well-being, commonly used for showing respect. Saul's action here might have been an attempt to placate Samuel or to quickly change the subject before any rebuke could occur, revealing a misplaced focus on human appearance over divine approval.

1 Samuel 13 10 Bonus section

The site of Gilgal held deep significance for Israel as the place where the generation entering Canaan was circumcised (Josh 5:2-9) and where the people first celebrated Passover in the land. It was a place of covenant renewal and fresh starts, emphasizing purity and obedience. Saul's sin at Gilgal, therefore, defiled a place symbolic of national recommitment to God, deepening the gravity of his disobedience. Furthermore, this episode starkly contrasts Saul's impatient leadership with God's ultimate desire for a king after His own heart (1 Sam 13:14), who would patiently wait for and fully obey His commands. This event illustrates the subtle but destructive nature of disobedience stemming from fear and impatience, even when ostensibly done for religious purposes or in times of distress. True faith trusts God's timing and method, even when circumstances seem dire.

1 Samuel 13 10 Commentary

Verse 10 of 1 Samuel 13 is a crucial turning point in Saul's reign, directly linking his presumptuous act with its immediate divine exposure. Saul, pressed by fear and impatience, overstepped his authority by performing a burnt offering, a sacred act reserved for God's designated priests. This wasn't merely a lapse in judgment but a deep-seated spiritual flaw: a lack of faith in God's timing and a usurpation of priestly duties. The timing of Samuel's arrival—as soon as Saul finished the offering—is profoundly significant. It showcases God's perfect sovereignty and impeccable timing, demonstrating that no act of disobedience escapes His notice. The dramatic behold underscores the shock and undeniable truth of the moment. Saul's attempt to greet Samuel afterward reveals either a naive attempt to normalize his defiance or a façade of reverence covering an inner rebellion. This event sets the precedent for God's eventual rejection of Saul's kingdom, underscoring the biblical principle that obedience is paramount to sacrifice (1 Sam 15:22) and that presumption in matters of worship is severely punished. Saul failed the test of faith and obedience, revealing his reliance on human fear and expedient action rather than trusting in God's appointed order and power to deliver.