1Sa 11:14 | KingComments | STEP | Samuel makes use of the cheering mood among the people. He judges that this is the time to renew the kingship. For this he wants to go to Gilgal, the place where by the LORD through the circumcision the “reproach of Egypt” was “rolled away” from His people ( ). “Gilgal” means “rolled away”. “So the name of that place is called Gilgal” ( ). When the land was possessed, the people returned there after every battle. Spiritually it represents the place where the judgment of the flesh is executed ( ). After the circumcision in Gilgal Joshua learned Who the real Leader of the people is ( ). By understanding what happened in Gilgal, Saul too would have to learn that God is the real King and that he, Saul, is it for God and not in the place of God. Seven times in these two verses Gilgal is mentioned, either by name, or by the reference “there” by which Gilgal is meant. The people offer sacrifices of peace offerings. This is the second time Saul has taken part in a peace offering. Earlier he participated with Samuel ( ). The great joy of Saul and all the men of Israel is the joy in the LORD for the victory He has given. Saul will also have thanked the LORD for it. People can thank God, even without new life. In a way it is the thanksgiving of the Pharisee. If a man has not yet learned that nothing good dwells in him, that is in his flesh, he can rejoice in God, while he will be without Him forever.

‏ 1 Samuel 11:14

Samuel Renews the Kingdom

Samuel makes use of the cheering mood among the people. He judges that this is the time to renew the kingship. For this he wants to go to Gilgal, the place where by the LORD through the circumcision the “reproach of Egypt” was “rolled away” from His people (Jos 5:9a). “Gilgal” means “rolled away”. “So the name of that place is called Gilgal” (Jos 5:9b). When the land was possessed, the people returned there after every battle. Spiritually it represents the place where the judgment of the flesh is executed (Col 2:11).

After the circumcision in Gilgal Joshua learned Who the real Leader of the people is (Jos 5:13-15). By understanding what happened in Gilgal, Saul too would have to learn that God is the real King and that he, Saul, is it for God and not in the place of God. Seven times in these two verses Gilgal is mentioned, either by name, or by the reference “there” by which Gilgal is meant.

The people offer sacrifices of peace offerings. This is the second time Saul has taken part in a peace offering. Earlier he participated with Samuel (1Sam 9:24). The great joy of Saul and all the men of Israel is the joy in the LORD for the victory He has given. Saul will also have thanked the LORD for it.

People can thank God, even without new life. In a way it is the thanksgiving of the Pharisee. If a man has not yet learned that nothing good dwells in him, that is in his flesh, he can rejoice in God, while he will be without Him forever.