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1 Samuel 13

1 Samuel 13:13

Saul’s Unlawful Sacrifice · 1 Samuel 13:8–15
Read 1 Samuel 13

Translations

Modern
“You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.
Traditional
And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
Literal
And Samuel said to Saul, “You have been foolish. You have not kept the commandment of YHWH your God, which He commanded you. For now YHWH would have established your kingdom over Israel even to forever.
Latin
Dixitque Samuel ad Saul: Stulte egisti, nec custodisti mandata Domini Dei tui quæ præcepit tibi. Quod si non fecisses, jam nunc præparasset Dominus regnum tuum super Israël in sempiternum:

Original

Hebrew
English
“You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.

Notes

1 Samuel 13:13

the command that the LORD your God gave you: Other kings offered sacrifices without criticism:

Judges like Gideon (Judges 6:26) did the same. This shows that sometimes non-priests could perform sacrifices that pleased the Lord. However, Samuel, God's prophet, had instructed Saul to wait (see study note on 1 Samuel 13:8).

1 Samuel 13:1–16:13

Saul lost power through three key events, similar to how he gained it (see study note on 1 Samuel 9:1–11:15):

  1. He offered the sacrifices himself instead of waiting for Samuel (1 Samuel 13:1–14);

  2. he made a hasty oath that endangered Jonathan's life (1 Samuel 14:1–46); and

  3. he disobeyed God by not destroying the Amalekites and their possessions (1 Samuel 15:1–35).

Theme notes and profiles

Jonathan Samuel Saul The Spirit’s Presence

Events

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Samuel: Prophet and last judge of Israel before the kings Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel

Glossary

Bethel (Place), Bethelite Gilgal History of Israel Michmash Samuel (Person) Samuel, Books of First and Second Saul

Topics

Christian Minister: Expostulate with Rulers: Samuel with Saul Church and State: Attempted Usurpation of Ecclesiastical Functions by Civil Authorities, Reproved Confidence: Saul Disobedience to God in offering a Sacrifice Gilgal: An Altar Built At, and Sacrifice offered Kings: when First Established in Israel, not Hereditary Presumption: Saul, in Sacrificing Reproof: Samuel Samuel: Reproves Saul; Foretells That his Kingdom Will be Established Saul: King of Israel is Reproved by Samuel for Usurping the Priestly Functions The Burnt offering: Guilt of Unauthorised Persons offering Usurpation in Religious Affairs by King Saul, in Assuming Priestly Functions