1 SAMUEL 13 - FAITH IN GOD VS. FEAR OF MAN

1 Samuel 13

In Hebrews 11:6 we are told:

“without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” 

In 1 Samuel 13, we see the beginning of Saul’s downfall as he allows his fear of men to override his faith in God. Saul is into his second year as King and the Philistines are continuing to oppress the Israelites. Israel, however, has begun to openly rebel and God has given Saul success, though he has not completely freed the Israelites. The result is the proverbial darkness before the dawn as the Philistines seek to tighten their control and repress the rebellion. As Vs. 4 tells us: “…Israel had become a stench to the Philistines.”

In order to bring an end to the rebellion the Philistines are going to present a show of force and seek to cow the Israelites (which included 30,000 chariots 6000 horsemen and “troops like the sand on the seashore”). This caused the people of Israel to fear greatly such that some began to hide themselves and others sought to leave Israel, some even joining the Philistines. We are told that those who remained with Saul “followed him trembling.”

Saul in response gathers an army at Gilgal to fight against the Philistines. There Samuel was supposed to meet Saul to sacrifice to the Lord and seek his guidance and assistance. But after Saul had waited seven days, and Samuel did not show, Saul decided to take matters into his own hand as the people began to scatter. Saul decided to offer the burnt offering himself rather than wait for Samuel.

In response Samuel prophesies that Saul’s kingdom would not be established in Israel for long, “because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”

What did Saul do that caused the Lord to have such a negative reaction? What was Saul’s transgression? Was it Saul’s usurpation of Samuel’s role as priest?

Clearly not. It is in response to Saul’s confession that Samuel is angry. 1 Samuel 13:11-12 says,

““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, 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.”

It was Saul’s lack of faith that angered God and which would cause God to seek out “a man after his own heart…” 

Without faith it is impossible to please God. Saul’s heart was one that feared man more than he trusted God. And without faith, God was not pleased.

In Matthew 10 Jesus warns his disciples:

“do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

We are called to be a fearless people as we rely on our faith in God. For as Romans 8:31 teaches us:

“If God is for us, who can be against us?