What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 13:11? What have you done? Samuel opens with the same piercing question the LORD used in Genesis 3:13, “What is this you have done?”. It is not a request for information—God and His prophet already know—but an invitation for Saul to own his failure. Like Joshua’s words to Achan in Joshua 7:19, it presses the sinner toward confession. The confrontation exposes that: • Authority comes from God, not circumstance; when God speaks, disobedience is sin whether it “works” or not (1 Samuel 15:22). • Leaders are accountable; “to whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). • Excuses follow sin; Saul immediately shifts blame, just as Adam and Eve did (Genesis 3:12-13). When I saw that the troops were deserting me Fear of losing men eclipsed fear of God. Saul walks by sight, the opposite of the command in Deuteronomy 20:1-3: “Do not be afraid when you see horses and chariots… for the LORD your God is with you”. Contrast: • Gideon’s army shrank from 32,000 to 300, yet “the LORD delivered Midian” (Judges 7:2-7). • Jonathan later says, “Nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few” (1 Samuel 14:6). By fixing on departing soldiers instead of the LORD of hosts, Saul trades divine sufficiency for human statistics. and that you did not come at the appointed time Impatience now blames the prophet. Yet Samuel had already set clear terms: “Wait seven days… then I will come… and show you what you should do” (1 Samuel 10:8). Waiting tests faith: • Psalm 27:14 urges, “Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong… and wait.” • Habakkuk 2:3 assures, “Though it lingers, wait for it; it will surely come.” God’s timetable refines His servants. Saul’s clock ruled him, so he seized priestly duties (1 Samuel 13:9), violating Numbers 18:7 which reserves that service for Aaron’s line. and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash The threat was real—“The Philistines assembled… thirty thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops like the sand on the seashore” (1 Samuel 13:5). Yet God had already promised victory over these same Philistines (1 Samuel 9:16). Scripture repeatedly shows crises meant to showcase divine power, not human ingenuity: • At the Red Sea, Israel faced an army and no escape; “The LORD will fight for you” (Exodus 14:14). • Jehoshaphat heard of a vast coalition at En Gedi and prayed, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (2 Chronicles 20:12). Saul, eyes on the enemy, forgot the covenant LORD who had sworn to defend Israel. summary 1 Samuel 13:11 exposes a heart ruled by fear, impatience, and sight. Saul’s downward spiral begins with ignoring a clear command, grows through blaming others, and culminates in taking forbidden action. Scripture consistently calls God’s people to trust His timing, heed His word, and see threats as opportunities for His glory. Wait on Him, obey first, and let the size of the enemy only magnify the faithfulness of the LORD. |
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