Title: What Did the King Do?
Contents 1 Samuel 13: 8-12
In today's text verse 5, it says that the Philistines gathered together to fight against Israel, with 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen, and the people were as numerous as the sand on the seashore. This war was absolutely unfavorable, and the Philistines were prepared to grind their teeth because they knew the defeat at Geba as a disgrace. The Israelites were afraid of the Philistines, so they hid in rocks and in pits, and all the people trembled in fear.(6-7) section)
The people were scattered, and Samuel did not come to Gilgal even after waiting seven days according to the set deadline, so King Saul, in a hurry, brought burnt offerings and peace offerings, and offered burnt offerings himself. Just then Samuel returned.
Saul's excuse is that he offered sacrifices "out of necessity." He saw nothing but reality. The great Philistine army and scattered Israel, but beyond that, we did not see what God's will was or what God's plan was. We must look to the future with the eyes of faith. And the sacrifice offered by King Saul was not a worship service with all his heart, mind, and devotion in spirit and truth, but rather a shallow means of reassuring the scattered people and using God to win the war. The church comes among us, but didn't he come to worship with the same heart as Saul?
Why was King Saul himself to offer sacrifices in the place of Samuel?
① Because the people were afraid of being scattered. Because I didn't want to lose people's popularity. In order to gain popularity with people, Pilate also had Jesus crucified and put to death. Even now, how many people are rejected by God while trying to be popular with people? Fear the God who sees the heart.
②It was because of unbelief that Samuel was not coming.
King Saul endured well for six days. No, I waited patiently for almost all seven days. But at the last minute, it stopped failing. How good it would have been if Saul had had a little more patience! How much better would it have been if I had been a little more humble? Is there anyone who is tired of waiting for God's promised time today? Please wait a little longer.
③ Because his thoughts surpassed those of God.
People often mistake their experiences and thoughts as more perfect and wiser than God. The Bible refers to Saul's actions and records that he acted in vain. Even today, many people mistake their actions as if they were God's will and often risk their lives for them. However, such behavior comes from unbelief, which does not absolutely trust God.
④ It is because of my proud heart that I can do anything I want, even though I am the king.
The sacrifice was offered by the high priest, and not something the king could do on his own. King Uzziah rejected the priests' disapproval and went into the temple of the Lord with a proud heart to burn incense, but was rejected by God and could not enter the temple until the day he died.
There are things we can do and things we must never do. When this order is broken, chaos reigns.
Looking at the circumstances before and after King Saul's incident today, we can guess how urgent King Saul was. It is understandable to some extent that he personally offered sacrifices on Samuel's behalf. However, this was a disgraceful act in the sight of God, and it violated God's law and exceeded the priest's office. Why did you end up doing this wrong? Because King Saul only saw reality. because he was arrogant. It is because their thoughts surpassed those of God. King Saul also had a chance to become a blessed king, but he became a cursed king because he could not wait. Although I had a chance to be forgiven and restore my blessings even though I had sinned, I lost even the last chance because I did not repent. I pray that you will be the protagonist of a blessed life by waiting until the end and persevering.