I Samuel 13
Dear RTB’ers,
It seems that a fair amount of time has passed since we first met Saul. A few chapters back he was tending his father’s livestock, even going off with a servant searching for some donkeys. Now he has a son, Jonathan, who is old enough to lead an army (vv. 2-3). He has brought three thousand Israelites to do battle, although their courage is suspect! (See vv. 6-7). He has explicit instructions from Samuel: Then go down before me to Gilgal. And behold, I am coming down to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, until I come to you and show you what you shall do. (v. 10:8) However, seeking to encourage the people, Saul disobeys Samuel’s instructions and offers the burnt offering himself. It’s the first of Saul’s many misdeeds.
So the battle is staged, with the advantage clearly favoring the Philistines. We understand if you want to read ahead…
Blessings!