“All Israel heard the news that Saul had destroyed the Philistine garrison at Geba and that the Philistines now hated the Israelites more than ever. So the entire Israelite army was summoned to join Saul at Gilgal. The Philistines mustered a mighty army of 3,000 chariots, 6,000 charioteers, and as many warriors as the grains of sand on the seashore! They camped at Micmash east of Beth-aven. The men of Israel saw what a tight spot they were in; and because they were hard pressed by the enemy, they tried to hide in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, and cisterns. Some of them crossed the Jordan River and escaped into the land of Gad and Gilead. Meanwhile, Saul stayed at Gilgal, and his men were trembling with fear. Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn’t come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away. So he demanded, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!” And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself. Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, 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. So I said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.” “How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.””
1 Samuel 13:4-14 NLT
Saul was a man who had God’s specific grace upon him. God gave him what was necessary to succeed in his earthly duties, despite the fact that God saw the concept of a king as a personal affront to his relationship with the Jews. He wanted Saul to succeed. This is stated by Samuel in regard to God having a willingness to ratify the king as an eternal position and later fulfilled with David. Anyone who believes that Saul was somehow stunted in his ability to follow God is wrong. Saul, of his own desire, chose to be anxious, rather than faithful. In this way, he was a perfect representative of the people he was leading. They too constantly would choose to follow God, but only on their own terms. It is important to understand that this is not acceptable to God. Saul’s response to being held accountable was decidedly not Davidic. He instead blamed Samuel for being late. Perhaps Samuel was purposefully late to test Saul? It doesn’t matter, God is never late and the Jews had been taught that God and his practices are holy. In this way, Saul and David are like Adam and Jesus. When one fails, another is called. The new King would be tasked, not with merely being a representative but a leader. We must be leaders toward God, not away.
God’s Grace and Saul’s Choice: God gave Saul the grace to succeed, but Saul chose to be anxious and unfaithful.
Saul’s Leadership and the People’s Nature: Saul, like the people he led, chose to follow God on their own terms, which is unacceptable to God.
Saul’s Accountability and David’s Leadership: Saul’s unfaithful response to accountability contrasts with David’s leadership, highlighting the need for leaders who guide towards God.
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