“What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, 12 I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” 13 “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. 14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” 15 Then Samuel left Gilgal[d] and went up to Gibeah in Benjamin, and Saul counted the men who were with him. They numbered about six hundred.” 1 Samuel 13.11-15
Here’s the edited version with improved spelling, grammar, and clarity:
Have you ever done something without thinking? It’s not just a small mistake—it’s a big goof! I did several things in high school that were not the smartest moves for a teenage boy: climbing friends’ roofs at night, hiding in a dumpster—my mother could tell you all the details!
But what Saul did wasn’t merely a mistake. He knew exactly what he was doing. And if he didn’t know, he certainly should have. Usurping Samuel’s spiritual authority by putting himself in the place of God and God’s prophet was unacceptable. Whether he was too impatient to wait for God’s authority or simply foolish, King Saul made a huge error. He sought to become the mediator between God and the people.
Thankfully, we have a mediator now. On our own, we are unworthy to receive God’s praise. As sinful humans, we cannot approach the throne of God without Jesus, the pure and spotless Lamb. But with Jesus before us, we can boldly approach because God is with us. It’s like trying to walk into the White House without security clearance or access—not only is it unacceptable, but it’s simply not going to happen!
The Bible says in 1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” We have been given a mediator to stand before God on our behalf, and his name is Jesus Christ. He became the spotless Lamb, sacrificed for the sins of the world, so that we would not have to bear the burden ourselves.
Aren’t we glad for that? Will you call on that mediator? Will you call on the name of Jesus today? Don’t make the mistake King Saul made by trying to be the mediator—we already have one, and his name is Jesus.
Thanks be to God!
“O Lord, aren’t we glad the pressure is off! We do not have to make ourselves holy or righteous—Christ has made us clean. He has stood before the Father on our behalf and proven us worthy by his blood. Thank you, Lord, for this! Thank you for allowing us to know your power and walk in your grace. For you are good, and your love endures forever.” Amen.