Useful Bible Studies > 1 Samuel Commentary > chapter 13

Saul’s rule would not be permanent

1 Samuel 13:13-14

Saul had not obeyed God’s command in 1 Samuel 10:8 that he should wait for Samuel. It is a very serious matter not to obey God. God wants his people to choose gladly to serve him (7:3; 12:24). That is more important than any gift that we may offer to God (1 Samuel 15:22; Micah 6:6-8).

Samuel explained to Saul the results of his wrong act. Samuel was not just giving his opinion; his words were a message from God to Saul.

This was God’s message. Saul had chosen not to serve God. So Saul’s rule over Israel could not be permanent. Saul was not the perfect king whom God had promised to Israel (2:10). So Saul’s government, like every other government in this world, would not last. Saul’s rule would be temporary. God had chosen for Israel another king, who genuinely desired to serve God.

Perhaps that did not matter much to Saul. Saul was much more worried about his next battle than about whether his government was permanent. However, it mattered very much to God. God had made promises to Israel (for example, Genesis 12:2-3), and he could not now carry out those promises by means of Saul.

The king whose sincere desire was to serve God meant, originally, King David. God promised to David that his government would last always (2 Samuel 7:16). Of course, David was not a perfect king; he did many wrong things. However David’s character was similar to God’s perfect king, who came from David’s family (Matthew 1:1). We call that perfect king the Messiah, or Christ.

Next part: Saul waits at Geba (1 Samuel 13:15-18)

Please use the links at the top of the page to find our other articles in this series. You can download all our articles if you go to the download page for our free 450 page course book.