1 Samuel 13:7-14
13:7 a The land of Gad and Gilead ran the length of Transjordan (the region just east of the Jordan River).13:8 b seven days ... as Samuel had instructed: This instruction most likely was not the instruction in 10:8 c but an unrecorded instruction on a separate occasion (see study note on 10:8).
13:9 d the burnt offering and the peace offerings: These general-purpose offerings (see Exod 24:5 e; 32:6 f; Num 10:10 g; 15:8 h; Deut 27:6-7 i) were always offered on a solemn occasion filled with either danger or joy. Typically, only priests were to offer these sacrifices (but see study note on 1 Sam 13:13).
13:10 j meet and welcome: Saul seemed unaware he had done anything wrong.
13:11 k What is this you have done? Samuel’s question was a rebuke, not a request for information (cp. Gen 3:13 l).
13:12 m asked for the Lord’s help: The purpose of the burnt offering was to entreat God to grant victory in battle. Samuel himself had offered a similar sacrifice, which did lead to victory in battle (see 7:7-11 n). But Samuel, unlike Saul, served in a priestly role.
13:13 o the command the Lord ... gave you: Other kings offered sacrifices without censure (David, 2 Sam 6:13 p, 17-18 q; Solomon, 1 Kgs 3:15 r; 8:64 s; Ahaz, 2 Kgs 16:12-13 t), as did judges (Gideon, Judg 6:26 u), illustrating that on occasion non-priests could conduct sacrifices in a way that pleased the Lord. However, Samuel, God’s prophet, had given Saul the order to wait (see study note on 1 Sam 13:8).
13:14 v a man after his own heart: This prophecy pertains to David (see also Acts 13:22 w) rather than to Saul’s son Jonathan. The rejection of Saul was also the rejection of his family dynasty.
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