1 Samuel 13

One quick translation note: We have a problem in the Hebrew of the first verse that does not allow us to know Saul's age when he became king or how long he reigned prior to the events described in this chapter. These numbers seem to have been lost in the transmission of these verses over the centuries.

We do know that Saul had a son Jonathan who was a very significant man in the events that lead to the rise of King David. We also see that Jonathan and Saul have had a victory against a Philistine garrison, provoking a massive response from this numerically and technically superior enemy. The result is that the fighting men of Israel are afraid.

Saul waited seven days with an outnumbered force under his command. According to Samuel's instruction, the elderly prophet was to arrive at that time and to offer a sacrifice to God prior to the battle. Waiting required faith. Panic and faith don't work well together.

When Samuel did not arrive at the appointed time, Saul decided to offer up the sacrifice himself. As soon as he had done this, Samuel arrived. His assessment of Saul's actions: “You have done foolishly.”

Why was this action of Saul's such a breach of faith? The command to wait for Samuel was not just Samuel's idea. It was a command of the Lord. This time of waiting was a test of Saul's heart. The result: Samuel announced that Saul's kingdom would not continue. “The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”

The first Israelite king had been humiliated by a great prophet of God. His fear had been exposed. His life of faith was wanting. The men of Israel were outnumbered and lacked adequate weapons. The Lord had been their only hope, but Saul had not been willing to obey His Word given to the king through Samuel.

We have a Captain of our Salvation that carefully obeyed the voice of His Father. He is reigning over the church and the world from heaven's heights as the glorious Ruler over all. When He faced the humiliation of the cross it was not for something lacking in His character. He took our episodes of embarrassing faithlessness, and was true to His Word to the end.

Does this mean that we don't have to concern ourselves with the warfare that we face as Christians in the present hour? Not at all. He calls us forward to “fight the good fight,” and to “put on the whole armor of God.”

The choice between faith and fear is right in front of us every day. When we think that we have no time left to trust in God, and when we imagine that our faith is useless, we need to keep on going. Do not give up today. The Lord will strengthen you in battle by His grace. Giving up is not the way to become a great warrior for the Lord.

Take up the Word of God and keep on going. The Captain calls you forward for duty. The sufferings that you have faced were not designed to destroy you, but to strengthen you for further service.