It didn't take long for Saul to fall. Now consider what has happened. He has been anointed by Samuel, he has been chosen as king, he has acted in the Spirit to rescue some of the Israelites. Now he falls irretrievably. This is a warning to us all to always be on our guard, especially after moments of success or triumph.
Saul assembled an army, and led it jointly with his son Jonathan. Jonathan attacked a Philistine outpost. News was sent throughout the land, though Saul seems to be claiming credit for it.
The Philistines assembled an army to fight Israel. The Philistine army was more powerful than the Israelite one, and the Israelites were afraid, some running and hiding in fear.
Saul remained at Gilgal, but his troops were still fearful. Samuel had told him to wait until he arrived, but after seven days Samuel had not appeared. So Saul decided to offer the sacrifice. Immediately after this Samuel arrived. Now Saul's reaction is very understandable. The time seemed to have passed, and the circumstances were serious, no doubt with his men pressuring him to do something. Yet he stepped outside his authority.
Samuel rebukes Saul and announces that Saul's kingdom will not last.
The army was without weapons, for the Philistines had stripped them of their ability to make them. Only Saul and Jonathan had swords.
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