Battle Lines and Bad Sacrifices

Saul Fights the Philistines

Interpretation:

There’s quite a bit of confusion surrounding the Hebrew text here; it reads as if portions were lost early in transmission. The ESV offers as good a rendering as any, while some translations, like the NASB, borrow from Acts 13 to fill in the blanks: “Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty-two years over Israel.” At the end of the day, the essential point is that Saul reigned over Israel, and what unfolds in this passage took place during that reign.

Saul gathers 3,000 men—possibly an elite standing army tasked with protecting the king and his kingdom’s interests—a number significantly smaller than the army mentioned in 11:8. Jonathan is introduced here for the first time, leading 1,000 troops stationed at Gibeah of Benjamin. Just a few miles away, in Geba, is a garrison of Philistines, and Jonathan defeats them (vs.3). Word spreads quickly, and Saul sounds the horn (v.4), alerting Israel to the victory, the looming threat, and the likelihood of further conflict. One lingering question, however, is why Saul allowed Jonathan to lead the charge rather than taking command himself. The text once again leaves us wondering if there is a deficiency in Saul’s leadership. Chapter 13 doesn’t fully answer this, though it certainly does leave us with the question, and we’ll have to wait for the narrative to continue to get a better answer. But, even with the questions about Saul’s leadership fully intact, we are left with this glorious truth: God’s purpose and plans aren’t thwarted even if our obedience is reluctant at best. It’s one more reminder in Samuel that God is the one responsible for the work getting done.

Verse 5 — As the news circulates, a larger force of Israelites gathers with Saul at Gilgal. In response, the Philistines mobilize a massive force to deal with the uprising. While there is debate over the actual number of Philistine chariots—30,000 or perhaps 3,000 according to some traditions—the army is undeniably large and catches Israel off guard.

Beyond sheer numbers, the Philistines also hold a strategic advantage, occupying the high ground and controlling much of the central Benjamin plateau. Seeing the scale and strength of the enemy, the Israelites realize they are in deep trouble. In fear, they scatter and hide in caves, holes, rocks, tombs, and cisterns. Some even cross the Jordan to escape. Though Saul remains behind, he too is filled with fear—his courage failing, his leadership uninspiring, and his actions doing little to rally the people around him (v.6-7).

Application:

There are a couple of quotes from R.C. Sproul that I want to share this morning. Because, our temptation is to see the evil and to either say, 1.) there is absolutely nothing of good that can be taken from this person, or 2.) God is diminished because He used a sinful creature.

Here’s what Sproul says concerning God’s providence and His ability to move despite man’s sin:

First:

“There is not one maverick molecule in the universe.”

His point is that any and all things happen as a part of God’s over-arching plan in salvation history. Is He the author of evil? No, but can He use it? Absolutely. As the saying goes, “God can hit a straight lick with a crooked stick.”

But second:

“God’s providence is not a doctrine to be denied because of evil in the world, but a comfort to cling to because of it.”

We take comfort because we are keenly aware of the presence of sin. It gives us cause to pause and be cautious, not necessarily of others, but of what we ourselves are capable of. And, we rejoice at the fact that the burden of success is lifted from us and placed squarely on God’s shoulders. If I stepped down from pastoring this church tomorrow, you know what would happen? God’s church would continue. Why? Because none of this is dependent on me or any other staff member or church member here. Christ is responsible for building His church, and what He builds none of us are responsible for and not even the devil himself can tear it down.

Saul Sacrifices and he Shouldn’t

Interpretation:

Saul grows panicked as Samuel delays, so he takes it upon himself to offer the burnt offering. This was a serious breach—sacrifice was not the king’s task. His disobedience could stem from rebellion, but ignorance seems unlikely, given that the roles of the king had already been laid out (1 Sam. 10:25), and the law clearly stated that all matters related to the altar belonged to the priests (Num. 18:7). Most likely, Saul's actions were rooted in fear. And fear, rather than faith, often leads to disobedience. Like many in Israel before him, Saul treats the things of God as lucky charms—believing that ritual, not relationship, secures God’s favor.

But, it’s easy to sympathize with Saul. His army was dwindling, the enemy was approaching, and he’d waited at least in to the 7th day.

However, we need to understand, and Saul should have known, that attack was unlikely because he’d already gathered Israel to Gilgal (v.8), a strategic site. And, Samuel seems to have arrived sometime during the 7th day because Saul had only finished the burnt offering (v.10). And, we might miss it in the English, but in the Hebrew Saul blame-shifts to Samuel. Essentially, Saul says to Samuel, “YOU were the one who was late!” (v.11).

Ultimately, Saul proves disobedient. In 1 Sam.10:8, Samuel told him to wait, not just for the sacrifice, but so that he could reveal what to do next. Saul focused on part one, but showed disregard for part two. He thought that the ritual sacrifice was necessary to gain God’s approval and that it would guarantee success (v.12). But, the passage actually teaches us that submission to God’s will as revealed in His Word is actually paramount (v.13). Beware of adopting Saul’s attitude, that God’s Word is rendered unnecessary in the context of certain emergencies.

Davis includes the following illustration:

1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart A Failure of Obedience

Kingship is prone to such subtle (or not so subtle) pride. James VI of Scotland was notoriously rude when attending worship services. On one occasion he was seated in his gallery with several courtiers while Robert Bruce preached. In his usual form James began to talk to those around him during the sermon. Bruce paused, the king fell silent. The minister resumed and so did James; Bruce ceased speaking a second time. Same result. When the king committed his third offense Bruce turned and addressed James directly: “It is said to have been an expression of the wisest of kings, ‘When the lion roars, all the beasts of the field are quiet’: the Lion of the Tribe of Judah is now roaring in the voice of His Gospel, and it becomes all the petty kings of the earth to be silent.” Kings easily forget they are subjects.

The gravity of Saul’s act is underscored by Samuel’s piercing question, “What have you done?”—a direct echo of God’s response to Adam and Eve (v.11). Instead of owning his failure, Saul shifts blame: the people were scattering, Samuel was late, and the Philistines were near. It’s a familiar pattern—justifying disobedience in the face of pressure.

Saul’s rationale reveals his flawed theology: he believes God’s favor is earned through ritual, not faithfulness. But, what the Lord honors is faithful obedience. Saul's actions show a refusal, as subtle as it may be, to submit to God’s word, usurping Samuel’s prophetic role and reducing God to a mere helper, not a sovereign King to be sought.

As a result, Saul is told his kingdom will not endure (v.14).

Now this does raise a question—would God have established Saul’s dynasty forever? We must answer that not with speculation, but with truth: 1) The scepter was promised to Judah (Gen. 49:10); 2) God doesn’t work in hypotheticals but in certainties. Saul’s lack of faith had real consequences. Now, God seeks a man after His own heart—one whose desires align with His will. So certain is this that Samuel speaks in the past tense: “The Lord has sought out a man…” God is never caught off guard; He is always in control.

Samuel concludes by reinforcing the standard: even the king must submit to the Word of God. Israel, though under a king, is still to be ruled by God’s Word (see 1 Sam. 12:20–25).

Yet Saul’s military situation is bleak. He is left with only 600 men, dwarfed by the massive Philistine force (compare 13:5). Worse, Israel is outgunned—without chariots, horsemen, or even proper weapons, as the Philistines had stripped them of blacksmiths. Only Saul and Jonathan have swords, a detail that emphasizes the hopelessness of their position from a human standpoint. As Philistine raiding parties begin to surround them, the picture is grim—highlighting just how desperate things have become.

Chapter 13 seems to be diligent about presenting Israel’s bleak and hopeless situation. In addition to an incompetent leader, the people are scattered by fear and they don’t even have the basic means and weaponry to defend themselves. I mean, they can’t even sharpen a tool without paying the Philistines to do it for them. Further, the Philistine garrisons are advancing with no resistance. The situation truly does look bleak.

However, any student of the Scripture will quickly point out that throughout the biblical narrative, God tends to work most boldly when His people are most broken and the situation seems bleakest. Let me give you two prime examples.

Illustration:

The first is found in II Cor.12:1-10. It’s the story of Paul first receiving this glorious revelation, being caught up to the third heaven. And then just after? He gets a messenger, a tormentor from Satan to keep him humble. It’s so bad that he cries out three times for it to be taken from him, but to no avail. God says instead,

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

So, instead of deliverance, a thorn to keep him humble and dependent upon God. Whatever can be accomplished in our power can and often will be done for our glory. It’s when we are weak and hopeless that we become dependent and we see God do something miraculous.

But I’d mentioned two examples, so let us remember as well our most hopeless and helpless state: sinful and separated from the Savior. And, what God does to save us from that state at first looks hopeless as well: the death of Jesus. But without the death, there is no resurrection, and without the resurrection, we should be pitied. Instead, we have victory over both sin and death!

Application:

PREACH THE GOSPEL.