Kings could offer sacrifices for themselves, but never for the state.
2nd , it was Samuel who was to convey the Lord’s battle plans. since Saul kept his eye on the sundial and his dwindling armed forces, he gave in to panic and rushed ahead on his very own.
Gentile generals decided where, when, and whom to attack, mustered their troops, then sacrificed to their gods to gain favor. The Hebrew sacrifice was changed ; it was to be an act of submission, not bribery.
3rd , and most crucial to our study, Saul made the choice to trust himself at the emergency point. His call to sacrifice and attack was based mostly on good common-sense ( from a temporal point of view ). Just like Israel’s wish to have a human king and their prepared acknowledgment of Saul based mostly on his outward appearance, the new king was prepared to advance on the enemy with a human technique. He saw his armed forces evaporating like water and the city of Michmash stuffed with his enemy. He saw the appointed a week had passed and that Samuel was late. So he tossed aside any pretense of decorum and custom.
He, actually put on the ecclesiastic garb together with his crown and signet and attempted to make the altar his very own special instrument of power—something he had no right to do. We need a Samuel, someone that cares more about our character than our image or comfort. Regularly that sort of loving truth calls for pointed words. “You have played the fool” isn’t simple to hear, but when it comes from the mouth of a reliable, godly mate, we must hear it and take heed.