Bible Strands
1 Samuel 13:9
So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.” And he offered up the burnt offering.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Saul commands his attendants to bring him the burnt offering and peace offerings while his troops begin to desert at Gilgal, acting immediately after the seven-day waiting period appointed by Samuel expires. He then personally offers up the burnt offering just before Samuel arrives.
The words — The verb הַגִּשׁוּ (ha.Gišū) literally means "bring near" or "present," directing the ritual approach, while וַיַּעַל (va.yaʿal) means "and he caused it to go up," describing the smoke rising from the altar. These terms mark Saul’s direct, unauthorized execution of priestly duties.
The thread — This unauthorized offering parallels Solomon’s sacrifice at the high place in Gibeon (1 Kings 3:4) and stands in tension with the prophetic warning that sacrifices offered with ill intent are detestable to God (Proverbs 15:8; 21:27). The narrative links Saul’s action to later biblical critiques of ritual without obedience.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to recognize that ritual performance does not substitute for divine timing or appointed authority. It demands a clear-eyed assessment of whether religious acts stem from obedience or fear.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 3:4 Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for it was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar there.
- Proverbs 21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!
- Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
- Proverbs 21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
- Deuteronomy 12:6 To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks.
- 1 Samuel 13:12 I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will descend upon me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the LORD.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”
- 1 Samuel 14:18 Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.)
- 1 Samuel 15:21 The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of the things devoted to destruction, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.”
- 2 Samuel 24:25 And there he built an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then the LORD answered the prayers on behalf of the land, and the plague upon Israel was halted.
- Isaiah 66:3 Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations.