1 Samuel 13:6-23
The situation could not be more critical. The Philistines have come up, as numerous as the sand on the shore (v. 5); they occupy the fortified places and send out patrols which ravage the country (v. 17). Confronted by them, it is a case of everyone for himself in Israel. A few hundred men, trembling with fear still follow Saul but they have not even got arms with which to defend themselves, since the people had depended on the enemy to forge their arms for them. For his part the king is worried. Samuel, who had told him he would meet him at Gilgal (1 Samuel 10:8), fails to arrive even though the appointed day has come. During this time the discouraged people forsake him and go away; the number of fighting men dwindles. The king loses patience. Will Samuel never come? Never mind that – he will offer a burnt offering himself. But this profane deed is hardly over before the prophet arrives. "What hast thou done?" he cries in consternation. In vain Saul seeks to justify himself. "Thou hast done foolishly," replies Samuel. And he tells him the LORD’s pronouncement – Saul is not to found a dynasty. His son will not succeed to the throne after him. Impatience, we know only too well, is an action of the flesh, which cannot bear to wait. Faith, on the other hand, is patient – it waits right to the end for God’s timing (James 1:4).