Waiting is not everyone’s strong suit. Throughout the Bible, we read about people, who had a hard time waiting on God and the fulfillment of His words and promises. Despite God’s words and promises, many people didn’t have the patience to wait. One of them was Saul. Saul could have kept his kingship if he knew the art of waiting on God. But because of his impatience and fear for people, Saul became disobedient to God and His words and lost his kingship.
Obedience to the words of God
And thou (Saul) shalt go down before me (Samuel) to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do (1 Samuel 10:8)
In the Bible, in 1 Samuel 10:1-8, we read about Saul and how Samuel anointed Saul to become king of Israel. Samuel spoke the words of God and prophesied to Saul about the things to come.
Samuel gave Saul a detailed prophecy and commandments he had to keep. There was only one thing, that Saul had to do. That one thing was, staying obedient to the words of Samuel.
Every detail of the prophecy came to pass until Saul decided to go his way and became disobedient to the words of God.
Saul didn’t know the art of waiting on God
Saul became disobedient to the word of God because Saul couldn’t wait. He didn’t know the art of waiting on God, but he succumbed under the pressure of the people. Instead of waiting and trusting the Lord and staying faithful to His commandment, Saul looked at the people and was influenced by them.
Let’s have a look at the first book of Samuel chapter 13.
Saul had reigned as king over Israel for more than two years. The Lord was with Saul, just like Samuel had told him.
Jonathan smote, together with 1000 men, the Philistines at Geba.
At the same time, when the Philistines heard the news, Saul blew the trumpet in all the land and wanted all the people of Israel to hear this great news.
However, the Philistines prepared themselves for war and to fight against Israel and gathered themselves together at Michmash.
The people of Israel were called together to go after Saul to Gilgal. But when Israel noticed that they were in a strait, they hid themselves in caves, thickets, rocks, in high places, and pits.
Some of the people of Israel went through the Jordan, to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was in Gilgal, and the people followed him trembling.
Saul Waited 7 days
He (Saul tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings And he offered the burnt offering.
And it came to pass, that as soon as Saul had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou came not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after His own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over His people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee. (1 Samuel 13:8-14 (KJV)
Saul couldn’t wait
Saul couldn’t wait. Despite the many prophecies being fulfilled. Saul should have known, that God was with him. He should have put his trust in Him, instead of looking at the circumstances and being afraid that people would leave him.
Saul should have kept and obeyed the commandment of the Lord He should have waited for Samuel instead of taking matters into his own hands.
If Saul had waited for another two or three hours, then everything would be fine.
But Saul couldn’t wait. Saul was not able to withstand the pressure of the situation and got nervous.
Saul’s fear of man was greater than his fear of God. Saul did not trust God completely.
Because if Saul trusted God, he would have waited for Samuel. He would have known, that God always fulfills His promises and never lie.
If Saul knew God, he wouldn’t have been afraid, because he would know, that God was his Protector, no matter what situation he was facing.
But no, Saul was intimidated by the people and by the situation. He saw the people scattered from him and panicked. Instead of standing on the word of God and waiting for Samuel, the situation got hold of him and took control of him. As a result, Saul did something he shouldn’t have done: he disobeyed God and took over Samuel’s task.
The art of waiting on God
Maybe you think, But Saul meant it all well. He wanted to make supplication to the Lord, that’s good, isn’t it? The answer is no, it isn’t good. This is just a cover-up of his disobedience to God and to justify his disobedience to God.
Saul should have waited for Samuel, he should have rested in the knowledge and believed the word of the Lord that Samuel would come. God’s Word never lies.
But Saul couldn’t wait, because he was intimidated and ruled by his emotions; fear. As a result, he became disobedient to God.
Because of the fact that Saul didn’t obey the Word of God and couldn’t wait on God and therefore rebellion was in his heart, Saul’s kingdom was taken away from him.
Saul’s kingdom wouldn’t be given to his son. But God gave the kingdom to a man, whom He had chosen; David, a man after God’s heart
What can you learn from the story of Saul?
What can you learn from the story Saul? The lesson learned is, first of all, that you stay obedient to the words of the Lord. Secondly, that you be patient and know the art of waiting on God and therefore wait. No matter how long it takes, what you are facing, what situation you are in, or what people might say or do to you. Just wait…
Sometimes you may feel intimidated by people or the situation, and you are forced to say something or do something, that you afterward regret. Maybe you even say or do something that is against the Word of God.
But don’t let anyone or anything intimidate you, but rely fully on the Lord. Stay faithful to God’s words, commandments, and His will. Even if this means, that you have to wait a little bit longer.
Remember, there is nothing wrong with waiting. Never make a decision in times of turmoil, but wait. And in the meantime, you hold on to His promises.
Would you like to read more about the subject of waiting? Below is a list of blog posts about waiting:
- Waiting for God’s promise
- Waiting for the right partner
- Waiting until the dream becomes reality
- Waiting for the promise of the Messiah
- Waiting for the return of Jesus Christ
‘Be the salt of the earth’
