1 Samuel 13 A Reflection on America
1 Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, 2 Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the mountains of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent away, every man to his tent.
In the second year of Saul’s reign as king of Israel, “Saul chose to himself three thousand men ,” “out of the 300,000 that went with him to fight the Ammonites.” (John Gill) “This choice of some, and disbanding others, was without taking counsel of God.” (Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary) “Saul, ... thought best to divide them into companies, and send one against the Philistine garrison at Michmash, another against that at Bethel, and the third against that at Gibeah: he perhaps hoped, by surprising these garrisons, to get swords and spears for his men, of which we find, ( 1 Samuel 13:22;), they were entirely destitute.” (Clarke)
3 And Jonathan attacked the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. Then Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!” 4 Now all Israel heard it said that Saul had attacked a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel had also become an abomination to the Philistines. And the people were called together to Saul at Gilgal.
Saul sinned against the Philistines by ordering the unprovoked attack to plunder, killing some thus “unadvised of God, and as it should seem, treacherous to men. The Philistines throughout the land soon heard of the treachery done by the Israelites to one of their garrisons, and as is common among men, the whole nation took indignation at it.”(Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary)— “Then Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, ‘Let the Hebrews hear!’ [also] …’Now all Israel heard it said that Saul had attacked’, i.e. Jonathan by Saul’s direction and encouragement. The actions of an army are commonly ascribed to their general.”(Matthew Poole)— “and that Israel had also become an abomination to the Philistines.” Israel had sinned against them committing robbery and murder becoming “literally, ‘was ill-smelling,’ Gen_34:30, said of one who is thoroughly despised and hated. ‘And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal’, summoned to the old mustering-place to make ready for the campaign against the Philistines.” (Kretzmann's Popular Commentary)
I wonder how much prayer goes into America’s organization of military might and consideration of just cause for war. It seems that all across the landscape of America follow after the example of Saul- not by physical murder but by hatred of occupants of the other political camp. They slander the other camp in the name of Jesus.
5 Then the Philistines gathered together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude. And they came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth Aven. 6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in danger (for the people were distressed), then the people hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pits. 7 And some of the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. 8 Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. 9 So Saul said, “Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.” And he offered the burnt offering.
In the first year of Saul there was unity and bravery in Israel by the Spirt. But here they had grieved the Spirit as stated… and the array— “thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude” — “strikes fear into the hearts of the men of Israel, and they seek every possible hiding place, whether caves, thickets rocks, high places or pits. Why should the faith of God's people be so weakened because of being outnumbered? ‘If God be for us, who can be against us?’ (Romans 8:31). Would faith not cry to God in firm confidence? Some of Israel even deserted their own land, choosing to cross the Jordan to avoid possible conflict. Let us remember that God does not provide us with armour for our backs! (Ephesians 6:11-17). Those who remained with Saul did so trembling!” (L. M. Grant)... having no clear conscience towards God.
Indeed they had sinned grievously, “but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:3) “Saul broke the order expressly given by Samuel, see 1 Samuel 10:8, as to what should be done in cases of extremity. Saul offered sacrifice without Samuel, and did it himself, though he was neither priest nor prophet.” (Henry) “The Lord is perfect in keeping promise with man: but the carnal heart has not patience with providence. Aaron must make a calf before the forty days were quite expired. This was Saul’s [final] sin.”(Sutcliffe) Moreover, he showed by his partial waiting that he understood his instruction. After waiting for six full days, he tarried not the seventh complete days; “for the last day was not finished.“ (Wesley) “And, as Saul, in his impatient and passionate haste knowingly transgressed by invading the priest‘s office.” (Jameison-Faussett-Brown)
“And Saul said, ‘Bring hither a burnt offering.’ But what saith a reverend man here? If Saul were among the prophets before, will he now be among the priests?... ’And he offered the burnt offering.’ [Maybe or maybe not by his own hands.] If he did it with his own hands, invading the priest’s office, as Uzziah did, his offence was far the greater.” (John Trapp)
The priest would make sure that the offerer— here Israel as a nation of people— understood that their own sins had necessitated the death of innocent animals. It received what they deserved. This was necessary before they considered war. Perhaps they could ask forgiveness and avert it all together. This is where political conservatives and liberals, naming the name of Jesus, miss the mark. They name the name of Jesus but have no actual offering for sin, only pointing out the sins of others.
1 Samuel 13: The Kingdom Given to A Man After God’s Own Heart
10 Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him. 11 And Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, 12 then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the LORD.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.” 13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.” 15 Then Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people present with him, about six hundred men. 16 Saul, Jonathan his son, and the people present with them remained in Gibeah of Benjamin. But the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
“Man thinks God slow, behind the appointed time, and forgetful. Nay, but God is waiting to be gracious-waiting for the precise moment when He can intervene with most effect, Isaiah 30:15; Isaiah 30:18.” (F.B. Meyer- Through the Bible)
Saul sacrificed burnt offerings in his state of disbelief. Men see nothing but Saul's outward act, which seems good. “But God saw that he did this with unbelief and distrust of his providence, with contempt of his authority and justice, and with rebellion against the light of his own conscience. Blessed Saviour, may we never, like Saul, bring our poor offerings, or fancied peace-offerings, without looking to thy precious, thy all-sufficient sacrifice! Thou only, O Lord, canst make, or hast made, our peace in the blood of the cross.” (Matthew Henry)
“There are two kinds of fools prominently noticed in Scripture — the fool who denies that there is any God, and the fool who does not obey God though he does not deny his existence.” (Kitto) The latter fool will have a harsher judgment. “Samuel was punctual to his appointment.” (Clarke)
And Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul explained the dire situation— “Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.” Yet: “Motives of worldly expediency were not to be weighed against the express commandment of God.” (Barnes)
And Samuel said to Saul, ‘Thou hast done foolishly; thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord, thy God, which He commanded thee,’ no excuse could alter the fact of his disobedience; ‘for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom,’ namely, as a hereditary kingdom, ‘upon Israel forever,’ if Saul had only followed His commandment strictly.” (Paul E. Kretzmann) “But now your kingdom shall not continue.” etc. “The result is that he loses the right for his sons to be his heirs.” (Peter Pett) Our failures can influence the decision of our children, visiting them to the third and fourth generations (Deuteronomy 5:9; Numbers 14:18).
“We are taught hereby, how necessary it is, that we wait on our God continually. For Saul is sentenced to lose his kingdom for want of two or three hours patience.” (John Wesley)
Yet God’s threatenings, like His promises, are conditional. Repent and turn to Him. Perhaps if Saul wold have done it, his kingdom would have been established again forever. “How could this be true, when the kingdom was promised to Judah, Genesis 49:10, and consequently must necessarily be taken away from Saul, and from his tribe? First, The phrase forever, in Scripture use, ofttimes signifies only a long time, as Genesis 43:9 Exodus 21:6 1 Samuel 28:2. So this had been abundantly verified, if the kingdom had been enjoyed by Saul, and by his son, and by his son’s son; after whom the kingdom might have come to Judah. Secondly, Though the kingdom had been promised to Saul and to his posterity for ever in a larger sense, yet that was upon condition of his obedience. And therefore God might well promise the kingdom to Judah, because at that time, and before, he foresaw that Saul would by his disobedience forfeit that promise, and that he would take the forfeiture, and transfer the kingdom to Judah.” (Matthew Poole)
“The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people” etc. ” “David, the son of Jesse [of Judah], the man after God’s own heart [Acts 13:22], could at that time have been but a mere child.” (C. J. Ellicott) Yet, his descendant, Jesus, will sit on his throne forever. And those, of each generation, who have been given immortal bodies will be His subjects.
“Then Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin.” “whither Saul also followed him, as appears from the next verse.” (Matthew Poole) Samuel would not leave Saul in utter distress. For though he had sharply reproved Saul, yet as promised, the prophet would not cease to pray for him and teach him the way which he ought to go. “And Saul numbered the people present with him, about six hundred men. ”Alas! Whither had gone the two thousand select warriors that were with him on the heights of Michmash?” (Daniel Whedon) Six hundred— “That was all that was left, in spite of his hasty sacrifice; he had indeed acted foolishly, as Samuel had said.” (Paul E. Kretzmann)
“Some think that Samuel therefore went before to Gibeah, where the company of the prophets was, that he might there, together with them, pray to God for Saul’s better success.” (John Trapp) And it seems that Saul followed him there. “‘And Saul and Jonathan, his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin,’ or rather, in Geba, at the place where Jonathan had broken up the Philistine garrison; ‘but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.’ (16) Disobedience is the consequence of unbelief and doubt. Whenever Christians are put to a test, no matter how long the time of distress and tribulation lasts, they should simply cling to God's Word and promises, for disobedience may quickly be followed by rejection.” (Paul E. Kretzmann)
“Precious Jesus! grant me grace to learn once more from hence, in the view of Saul's profanation of thy Priestly office, how infinitely important must be the view of thy alone offering, and priesthood, in the sight of Jehovah; and how rejoiced my soul ought to be, in taking shelter under thy holy censer!” (Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary)
1 Samuel 13: Saul, Jonathan and Six Hundred, Armed and Faithful Men
17 Then raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies. One company turned onto the road to Ophrah, to the land of Shual, 18 another company turned to the road to Beth Horon, and another company turned to the road of the border that overlooks the Valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness. 19 Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make swords or spears.” 20 But all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen each man’s plowshare, his mattock, his ax, and his sickle; 21 and the charge for a sharpening was a pim for the plowshares, the mattocks, the forks, and the axes, and to set the points of the goads. 22 So it came about, on the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan. But they were found with Saul and Jonathan his son. 23 And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.
“The raiders” — "’The devastator’: the same word is used of the destroying Angel Exodus 12:23.” (Albert Barnes)—
“came out of the camp of the Philistines.. ” etc. “to ravage districts in the tribe of Benjamin, for in that locality are situated all the places mentioned. Unchecked, they seem to have carried out their plans.
These armed companies swept away all the smithies in the south part of the land. The fortunes of Saul now reached their lowest ebb... There he stood with his small band, the faithful six hundred,...’ --Dean Stanley: Lectures on the Jewish Church.” (C. J. Elllicott)
“Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel,”— for “the Philistines carried away all the smiths from Israel,” (Adam Clarke)— for the Philistines said, ‘Lest the Hebrews make swords or spears.’” “See how politic the Philistines were... ; they not only prevented the people of Israel from making weapons of war, but obliged them to depend upon their enemies, even for instruments of husbandry. [And see] How impolitic Saul was, who did not, in the beginning of his reign, set himself to redress this. Want of true sense always accompanies want of grace. Sins which appear to us very little, have dangerous consequences. Miserable is a guilty, defenceless nation; much more those who are destitute of the whole armour of God.” (Matthew Henry)
“‘But all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines...’ etc. — Not to the land of the Philistines, but to the stations and garrisons which the Philistines retained in several parts of Israel's land... In these, therefore, the Philistines kept all the smiths; and here they allowed them the exercise of their art for the uses following— ‘to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.’” (John Wesley)
Thus: “Instead of being dependent upon the Lord for everything, they were the slaves of their oppressors, dependent upon them. This is the place into which unbelief can put the people of God.”(Arno Gaebelein)
“So it came about, on the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan”- throughtout Israel. Yet the depot of weapons in Israel was with the king and his son, — “for there were, no doubt, a considerable number of swords and spears among the Israelites.” (Joseph Benson)
What are these against “thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude.” But yea, there is a prophet in Israel to minister to the people.
“Our spiritual enemy, represented by these Philistines, never failed to use the like stratagem. The souls which they hold in captivity they first deprive of their arms, and prevent, as much as possible, the use of any weapons which may rescue them from their tyranny and regain their liberty. These arms are principally the word of God, and the use of the Holy Scriptures, which are not only a light and lantern to our path, but a buckler of defence, and a sword to smite and subdue our enemies. Thus the spirits of error and lies employ their utmost efforts and craft to take away both the knowledge and means of truth.” (Biblical Illustrator)