1 Samuel 13:14

14 But now your kingdom won't last. The LORD has already looked for a man who is dear to his heart. He has appointed him leader of his people. That's because you haven't obeyed the LORD's command."

1 Samuel 13:14 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 13:14

But now thy kingdom shall not continue
That is, in his family, nor in his tribe, but be removed to another:

the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart:
who was David; though as yet Samuel knew him not, he knew by divine revelation that there was another one chosen, to whom the kingdom would be given; a man every way agreeable to the will of God, and who would fulfil his will, though he knew not particularly who he was:

and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people;
that is, had appointed him to be king over Israel. God's decrees have the force of a law in them, and must be fulfilled; and cannot be resisted so as to be frustrated:

because thou hast not kept that which the Lord hath commanded thee;
it matters not whether the thing commanded is greater or less, it is disobedience to the command that is the sin, and is resented: this might seem a small thing, since to offer the sacrifice was not criminal; but doing it before the time, a little before it should have been done, not waiting long enough for the prophet; yet it being against the command of God, or in neglect of it, it was sinful, and severely chastised; and the rather, that it might be an example to all succeeding kings how they offended, or broke the least of God's commandments; and this being the first king of Israel, he was made an example of to the rest.

1 Samuel 13:14 In-Context

12 So I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down to attack me at Gilgal. And I haven't asked the LORD to show us his favor.' So I felt I had to sacrifice the burnt offering."

13 "You did a foolish thing," Samuel said. "You haven't obeyed the command the LORD your God gave you. If you had, he would have made your kingdom secure over Israel for all time to come.

14 But now your kingdom won't last. The LORD has already looked for a man who is dear to his heart. He has appointed him leader of his people. That's because you haven't obeyed the LORD's command."

15 Then Samuel left Gilgal and went up to Gibeah in the land of Benjamin. Saul counted the men who stayed with him. The total number was about 600.

16 Saul and his son Jonathan were staying in Gibeah in the land of Benjamin. What was left of the army was there with them. At the same time, the Philistines camped at Micmash.