1 Samuel 13 11

1 Samuel 13:11 kjv

And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;

1 Samuel 13:11 nkjv

And Samuel said, "What have you done?" Saul said, "When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash,

1 Samuel 13:11 niv

"What have you done?" asked Samuel. Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash,

1 Samuel 13:11 esv

Samuel said, "What have you done?" And Saul said, "When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash,

1 Samuel 13:11 nlt

but Samuel said, "What is this you have done?" Saul replied, "I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn't arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle.

1 Samuel 13 verses

1 Samuel 13 11 Meaning

In 1 Samuel 13:11, King Saul explains his reasons to Samuel for offering the burnt offering himself, an act reserved for priests, thus overstepping divine boundaries. He presents a three-fold justification for his impatience and disobedience: the people under his command were abandoning him out of fear, Samuel himself had not arrived at the designated time, and the Philistine enemy was already gathering in full force at Michmash, posing an immediate and overwhelming threat. This verse highlights Saul's attempt to rationalize his actions, prioritizing perceived military necessity and immediate human logic over strict adherence to God's commanded timing and authority.

1 Samuel 13 11 Context

1 Samuel 13 takes place shortly after Saul has been crowned king of Israel. The Philistines, a powerful and persistent enemy, have gathered an immense army to attack Israel (1 Sam 13:5), causing widespread fear. Saul had stationed himself and his army at Gilgal (1 Sam 13:7). Prior to this, the prophet Samuel had given Saul a direct command: "You shall go down before me to Gilgal, and behold, I am coming to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. You shall wait seven days, until I come to you and show you what you are to do" (1 Sam 10:8).

As the seven days drew to a close and the Philistine threat intensified, Saul's own army began to scatter in fear, depleting his forces (1 Sam 13:8). When Samuel did not arrive precisely on the seventh day as anticipated by Saul, panic and perceived military urgency drove Saul to take matters into his own hands and offer the burnt offering himself (1 Sam 13:9-10). This act was a violation of God's prescribed order, as only priests (descendants of Aaron) or specifically commissioned prophets could perform such sacrifices. Saul, as king, lacked this authority. Verse 11 is Saul's immediate verbal defense and justification to Samuel for his disobedient action.

Historically and culturally, the Philistines were the primary adversary of early Israel. Their superior iron weaponry and organized military posed a constant existential threat. Kingship in Israel was a relatively new concept, and God had intended a distinctive form of leadership where the king, unlike pagan monarchs, was subservient to God's prophet and the divine law. The act of offering sacrifices was foundational to Israelite worship, central to their covenant relationship with God, and rigidly governed by the Mosaic Law. For a king to usurp this priestly role was not merely a breach of protocol but an assertion of independent authority from God, challenging the very core of Israel's theocratic identity. This verse sets the stage for the progressive spiritual decline of Saul and the eventual transfer of the kingdom.

1 Samuel 13 11 Word analysis

• Saul said (וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל - va-yomer Sha'ul): "And Saul said." This direct opening presents Saul's immediate response and self-defense, highlighting his personal perspective and justification for his actions. It emphasizes his rationalization.
• "When I saw (כִּי־רָאִיתִי - ki ra'iti): "Because I saw," or "When I perceived." Saul's reasoning is based on his visual observations and immediate perceptions of the unfolding crisis. This demonstrates a reliance on sight and human assessment rather than trusting God's unseen promise or timing through Samuel.
• that the people (הָעָם - ha'am): Refers to the Israelite soldiers and common folk gathered under Saul's command. Their wavering faith and scattering deeply influenced Saul's decision.
• were scattering from me (נָפַץ מֵעָלַי - naphaz me'alay): "Scattered away from upon me." The verb naphaz (נָפַץ) means to be dispersed, shattered, or broken up. This imagery conveys Saul's army melting away, weakening his military strength and, by extension, his authority and confidence as king. The loss of troops instilled fear and panic in Saul.
• and that you did not come (וְאַתָּה לֹא־בָאתָ - v'atta lo'-vata): "And you did not come." A direct statement from Saul, essentially shifting blame onto Samuel for his delay. It reveals Saul's frustration and perceived abandonment. He interprets Samuel's delay as a failure on Samuel's part, not as a test or a part of God's divine timing.
• within the days appointed (לְמוֹעֵד הַיָּמִים - le'mo'ed hayyamim): "For the appointed time of days," or "for the set season of days." This refers to Samuel's explicit command for Saul to wait seven full days (1 Sam 10:8; 13:8). Saul is aware of the exact time frame and, crucially, that it had expired. His perception is that Samuel missed the precise deadline, thus necessitating Saul's intervention.
• and that the Philistines (וּפְלִשְׁתִּים - u'Philishtim): "And the Philistines." The powerful enemy of Israel, adding to the military pressure and sense of urgency. Their presence amplifies Saul's panic.
• were mustering (נִקְבְּצִים - niqbetzim): "Were gathering themselves," or "were being assembled." From the verb qavats (קָבַץ), meaning "to gather, collect." This conveys the immediate and growing threat. The Philistines were not just present, but actively preparing for battle, further pressuring Saul to act quickly.
• at Michmash (אֶל מִכְמָשׂ - el Mikhmash): "Toward Michmash." A strategically important location near Gilgal. This precise geographic detail emphasizes the imminence and proximity of the Philistine threat, underlining the tactical pressure on Saul.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Saul's Triple Justification ("When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines were mustering..."): This segment reveals Saul's rationalized defense, which is built on immediate circumstantial pressures rather than patient trust in God's divine plan. He perceives the crisis from a purely human, tactical standpoint. Each element individually contributed to his fear, and combined, they seemed to him an unavoidable reason to act.
• Fear-Driven Action ("the people were scattering from me" and "the Philistines were mustering"): These phrases highlight the core of Saul's panic. His primary concern shifted from God's command to the visible deterioration of his military situation. This immediate pressure overrode his understanding of his spiritual limitations and God's power. It sets up a contrast between faith in God's sovereignty and fear of external circumstances.
• Blaming Samuel ("you did not come within the days appointed"): Saul's perceived blame of Samuel demonstrates his focus on the messenger rather than the source of the command. He had a set timeframe for Samuel's arrival, but did not extend that trust to God's providence beyond that timeframe. This reveals a fundamental lack of faith in God's perfect timing, leading to impatience.

1 Samuel 13 11 Bonus section

This verse marks a significant moment in Saul's reign, illustrating the very first instance of a pattern of self-will and fear of man that ultimately cost him the kingdom. While 1 Samuel 10:8 was the original instruction and test, 1 Samuel 13:11 provides Saul's own recorded rationalization for failing that test. This rationalization is key to understanding the nature of his disobedience, as it demonstrates not ignorance, but a conscious decision based on his perception of crisis and a presumed necessity. Saul saw an immediate void (Samuel's absence) and felt compelled to fill it with his own action, rather than trusting God's sovereign timing and plan, which might have involved further testing or a supernatural intervention that required continued faith. This stands in stark contrast to King David, who would often inquire of the Lord before acting, even in times of extreme pressure. This is the very beginning of the undoing of God's original anointing upon Saul's life, as Samuel's rebuke and prophecy of a transfer of kingship immediately follow in 1 Samuel 13:14.

1 Samuel 13 11 Commentary

1 Samuel 13:11 is a pivotal verse because it captures King Saul's defensive posture and reveals the underlying character flaw that would lead to his eventual downfall: his prioritisation of human pragmatism and immediate circumstances over unwavering obedience to God's explicit commands and His designated authorities. Saul articulates a logical, almost excusable, set of reasons for his disobedience: his army was deserting, Samuel was late, and the enemy was gathering. From a human perspective, these were legitimate pressures. However, from God's perspective, they represented a test of faith and obedience for the new king.

Saul's words expose a heart that feared man more than God. He was more concerned with the dwindling numbers of his army and the overwhelming might of the Philistines than with adhering strictly to Samuel's, and thus God's, instructions. This moment of panic highlights his lack of trust in God's power to deliver Israel, regardless of military odds or a delayed prophetic appearance. True leadership, particularly in a theocracy, required patience and absolute reliance on the Lord. Saul's action of usurping the priestly function was not a minor mistake; it was an act of presumption and rebellion, signifying a challenge to God's order and an attempt to control the spiritual realm for human ends. It set a precedent for placing himself above God's law and authority, rather than submitting to it. This initial act of impatience foreshadows later, greater disobedience, particularly in his handling of the Amalekites.

Examples:

• A leader acting immediately on the advice of panic-stricken subordinates, rather than waiting for divine guidance.
• An individual feeling intense pressure to solve a problem and choosing to cut corners or engage in unethical behavior because of "dire circumstances."
• A person facing financial difficulty choosing to acquire money through illicit means, justifying it because bills are due, rather than trusting God for provision or patience.