14: Saul' foolish choice ( 1Samuel 13:1 – 23)

Saul was commanded to wait for Samuel before the battle, but when Samuel was delayed and the situation became urgent, he took it upon himself to offer the sacrifice. When Samuel arrived, he rebuked Saul for his disobedience.

πŸ‘‰ Read 1Samuel 13:1 - 22


Q1.  At the beginning of the monarchy, Saul could maintain only a small army (3). One day, (           ) boldly attacked a Philistine outpost, provoking the Philistines. In response, they assembled an army of (        ) chariots and 6,000 horsemen. The Israelites, terrified by the overwhelming force, (       ) or fled. Meanwhile, (         ) had not arrived at the appointed time, causing further desertion until only (      ) men remained with Saul.

At the beginning of the monarchy, Saul could maintain only a small army (3). One day, ( Jonathan ) boldly attacked a Philistine outpost, provoking the Philistines. In response, they assembled an army of ( 3,000 ) chariots and 6,000 horsemen. The Israelites, terrified by the overwhelming force, ( hid ) or fled. Meanwhile, ( Samuel ) had not arrived at the appointed time, causing further desertion until only ( 600 ) men remained with Saul.


Q2. Why did Saul offer the sacrifice by himself? (11 – 12)

He wanted God’s favor in the battle but Samuel had not arrived in time. 

Saul’s excuse seems reasonable—Samuel was late, and the Philistines were about to attack. The situation was urgent. Why, then, couldn’t Saul offer the sacrifice himself? After all, Samuel was not a descendant of Aaron, yet he acted as a priest and offered sacrifices.

The key difference is that Saul had been explicitly commanded to wait for Samuel before going into battle (1 Samuel 10:8). His disobedience, rather than the mere act of offering a sacrifice, was the issue. Moreover, Saul’s motive was not to honor God but to secure His favor for military success. This could be why the Lord required him to wait for Samuel—so that obedience, not mere ritual, would take precedence.



Q3. According to verse 14, what was the reason for his disobedience?

His heart was not loyal to the Lord. Literal translation: 'he was not of God's heart.' Which means, his heart was not with God's heart.


Q4. Verses 15 – 22 describe the hopeless status of Israel. Only (           ) men were left for Saul and the Philistines started (             ) the Israelite towns. However, the Israelites didn’t have (                 ). 

Verses 15 – 22 describe the hopeless status of Israel. Only ( 600  ) men were left for Saul and the Philistines started ( raiding  ) the Israelite towns. However, the Israelites didn’t have ( weapons  ).



If you were in Saul’s position, what choice would you have made in such a desperate situation? What if you waited for Samuel, leaving you unable to offer the sacrifice, resulting in God’s help not coming, and the newly established kingdom falling to the Philistines? Wouldn’t it make sense to take matters into your own hands, offer the sacrifice out of necessity, rally the troops, and defeat the Philistines?  

What would be the wise decision? Samuel teaches that following God's will is the wiser choice even if it means failure in your job. Complete obedience is more important than the success of ministry.


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