1 Samuel 13:8-15 English Standard Version (ESV)
Saul’s Unlawful Sacrifice
8 He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. 9 So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering. 10 As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him.11 Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, 12 I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” 13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.” 15 And Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal. The rest of the people went up after Saul to meet the army; they went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin.
And Saul numbered the people who were present with him, about six hundred men.
DEVOTIONAL
SOAP: I Samuel 13:14
God noticed David’s obedience and promoted him. Unlike Saul, David did not choose to go his own way, but humbly remained yielded to God. David submitted to God as the ultimate authority and desired to honor God with his life. He served the people in God’s name, rather than seeking to make a name for himself.
Success can corrupt our heart. Pride blinds us to the truth, and we start to swagger instead of surrender. We must crucify the selfish Saul that rises up in our hearts and remember that God is our strength.
Lord, help us to make wise choices that please Your heart. Give us hearts that remain tender to You. May we always seek to glorify Your name and not our own. Amen.
I just wanted to let you know that the scripture notation is incorrect on the reading plan for the app. It says 2 Sam. instead of 1 Samuel. I love this app! Thanks for creating it!