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1 Samuel 13: Saul Does Not Wait

Jonathan attacked a Philistine garrison, and the Philistines gathered a huge army. Israel's soldiers hid in caves and trembled. Saul waited seven days at Gilgal for Samuel, but when Samuel did not come and the people began to scatter, Saul offered the burnt offering himself. As soon as he finished, Samuel arrived and said Saul had acted foolishly and his kingdom would not continue. The Lord had sought a man after His own heart.

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Bible:

Read 1 Samuel 13

World English Bible · 23 verses

  1. 1 Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  2. 2 Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel, of which two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the Mount of Bethel, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. He sent the rest of the people to their own tents.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  3. 3 Jonathan struck the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  4. 4 All Israel heard that Saul had struck the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel was considered an abomination to the Philistines. The people were gathered together after Saul to Gilgal.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  5. 5 The Philistines assembled themselves together to fight with Israel: thirty thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude. They came up and encamped in Michmash, eastward of Beth Aven.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  6. 6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were distressed), then the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in tombs, and in pits.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  7. 7 Now some of the Hebrews had gone over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead; but as for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  8. 8 He stayed seven days, according to the time set by Samuel; but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  9. 9 Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering to me here, and the peace offerings.” He offered the burnt offering.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  10. 10 It came to pass that as soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  11. 11 Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you didn’t come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines assembled themselves together at Michmash,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  12. 12 therefore I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down on me to Gilgal, and I haven’t entreated the favor of Yahweh.’ I forced myself therefore, and offered the burnt offering.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  13. 13 Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of Yahweh your God, which he commanded you; for now Yahweh would have established your kingdom on Israel forever.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  14. 14 But now your kingdom will not continue. Yahweh has sought for himself a man after his own heart, and Yahweh has appointed him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept that which Yahweh commanded you.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  15. 15 Samuel arose, and went from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. Saul counted the people who were present with him, about six hundred men.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  16. 16 Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people who were present with them, stayed in Geba of Benjamin; but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  17. 17 The raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned to the way that leads to Ophrah, to the land of Shual;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  18. 18 another company turned the way to Beth Horon; and another company turned the way of the border that looks down on the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  19. 19 Now there was no blacksmith found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears”;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  20. 20 but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, each man to sharpen his own plowshare, mattock, ax, and sickle.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  21. 21 The price was one payim each to sharpen mattocks, plowshares, pitchforks, axes, and goads.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  22. 22 So it came to pass in the day of battle that neither sword nor spear was found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan; but Saul and Jonathan his son had them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
  23. 23 The garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

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1 Samuel 13 · Preschool

Waiting for Samuel

Name Date

Color the altar! Saul did not wait for Samuel the way God wanted.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“He stayed seven days, according to the time set by Samuel; but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him.”

1 Samuel 13:8 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: Waiting is hard! Saul was scared and did not wait. God helps us obey even when it is hard to wait.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.

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