“So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering.” 1 Samuel 13:12b
In Yesterday’s Reading, we’re told the Tragic Tale of Samuel’s sons and their failure to perform as honest Judges; that they “turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice.” Israel’s reaction? We want a King! Though you can understand their frustration, they were rejecting God. As we continue the reading we learn about Saul’s appointment, his initial success, and then how his flawed character begins to show. In Today’s Chapter, we read about what prompted that unraveling.
Samuel had instructed Saul with these words: “you shall go down before me to Gilgal; and behold, I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice peace offerings. You shall wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you should do.” And this was not just a Suggestion! We’re told in Verse 13 that Samuel called it “the commandment of the Lord”. But what Saul saw was this: the Philistine Army had gathered at Michmash with 30,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and people as numerous as sand and his army was beginning to scatter. He wanted God’s help and blessing, needed to offer a burnt offering,…so he “forced himself” instead of waiting for Samuel. Big Mistake! This One Act would bring God’s Judgement on Saul.
But don’t we do the same? We know what God requires of us, what God expects of us, and that others are watching. And so, instead of obeying, we do something “Religious”, thinking that God will still “Bless Us”. May God help us to walk according to His way and not be fearful of what others may think!