1 Samuel 13:12

12 therefore said I, `The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD.' I forced myself therefore, and offered a 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 And it came to pass that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.

11 And Samuel said, "What hast thou done?" And Saul said, "Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash,

12 therefore said I, `The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD.' I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering."

13 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.

14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue. The LORD hath sought Him a man after His own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over His people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee."