1 Samuel 13:12

12 So I thought, 'Now, the Philistines will come against me at Gilgal, but I haven't sought the LORD's favor.' I felt pressured into sacrificing the burnt offering."

1 Samuel 13:12 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 13:12

Therefore said I.
&c.] That is, within himself:

the Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal;
on a sudden, unprepared for them, especially in a religious way:

and I have not made supplication to the Lord;
for his direction and assistance, and for success in the war; which it seems went along with sacrifices, or was implied in them:

I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering;
it was reluctant to him, it was against his will as well as the command of Samuel, to offer before he came, he suggests; but such were the circumstances he was in, that he was obliged to it; these are the reasons or excuses he made, and some of them have a specious appearance in them.

1 Samuel 13:12 In-Context

10 As he finished sacrificing the burnt offering, Samuel came, and Saul went to greet him.

11 Samuel asked, "What have you done?" Saul replied, "I saw the troops were scattering. You didn't come when you said you would, and the Philistines were assembling at Michmash.

12 So I thought, 'Now, the Philistines will come against me at Gilgal, but I haven't sought the LORD's favor.' I felt pressured into sacrificing the burnt offering."

13 "You did a foolish thing," Samuel told Saul. "You didn't follow the command of the LORD your God. [If you had,] the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel permanently.

14 But now your kingdom will not last. The LORD has searched for a man after his own heart. The LORD has appointed him as ruler of his people, because you didn't follow the command of the LORD."