Israel's last judge, Samuel, served as a priest/administrator. He operated on a regular circuit (1 Samuel 7:16-17), beginning at his home base of Ramah, and proceeding to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah. Israel's first king, Saul, was a skillful soldier who led several successful military campaigns. But what disqualified Saul from God's blessing was the way he allowed his "common sense" to trump God's specific instructions.

1. As a larger, better equipped Philistine army approached, Commander Saul's troops were panicking and deserting. Does his move to stop the hemorrhaging seem reasonable?



2. Have you felt impatience with God's timing in your life?



3. Was Saul attempting to do a good thing? Was he doing it in the right way?



4. Do you find the rationale Saul offered for his actions (vv. 11–12) plausible? How have you attempted to justify disobedience?



5. Samuel called Saul's action foolish. Why was that assessment on target?



6. Saul's true spiritual character was revealed under pressure. How has yours held up when in a tight spot?

Ask God to work in and through your life as you put unflinching obedience to Him ahead of your own calculations and instincts.

⁸Then go down to Gilgal ahead of me and wait for me there seven days. I will join you there to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. When I arrive, I will give you further instructions."

⁷Some of them crossed the Jordan River and escaped into the land of Gad and Gilead. Meanwhile, Saul stayed at Gilgal, and his men were trembling with fear. ⁸Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn't come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away. ⁹So he demanded, "Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!" And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself.

¹⁰Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him, ¹¹but Samuel said, "What is this you have done?" Saul replied, "I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn't arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. ¹²So I said, 'The Philistines are ready to march against us, and I haven't even asked for the LORD's help!' So I felt obliged to offer the burnt offering myself before you came."

¹³"How foolish!" Samuel exclaimed. "You have disobeyed the command of the LORD your God. Had you obeyed, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. ¹⁴But now your dynasty must end, for the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart. The LORD has already chosen him to be king over his people, for you have not obeyed the LORD's command."

Prayer for the Week

Help me, Lord, to realize that your commands are loving safeguards, not arbitrary restrictions.

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