And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.

1 SAMUEL 13:9KJV
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1 Samuel 13:9 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 13:9 mean?

1 Samuel 13:9 describes how Saul, the king of Israel, told others to bring him the burnt offering and peace offerings, and then he personally offered the burnt offering. This action shows Saul taking on a priestly role, which was not his to take according to Israelite law and custom.

In this scene, Saul is under pressure because the Philistine army is gathering against Israel, and the prophet Samuel has not yet arrived as promised to perform the sacrifices. Saul, anxious about the situation and the people scattering, decides to offer the burnt offering himself. This choice is significant because it sets up the conflict in the following verses, where Samuel confronts Saul about overstepping his authority.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 13:9

  • "offering" (עֹלָה, ʿolah): This word refers to a burnt offering, a sacrifice completely burned on the altar as an act of worship and atonement. Saul's use of this offering highlights the seriousness of what he did, since only priests were supposed to perform this ritual.
  • "offerings" (שֶׁלֶם, shelem): This word means peace offerings, which were sacrifices shared between God, the priests, and the offerer. Including both types of offerings shows Saul was trying to fulfill the full range of ritual duties.
  • "offered" (עָלָה, ʿalah): This verb means "to cause to go up" or "to offer up" and is used for presenting sacrifices. The verse stresses that Saul himself performed the act, not a priest.

Why 1 Samuel 13:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Saul's main mistake was not just impatience, but taking on a sacred duty reserved for priests, which was a serious breach of Israelite law.
  • The verse sets the stage for Samuel's rebuke and God's judgment on Saul's kingship, making it a turning point in the story.
  • Understanding the specific offerings mentioned helps readers see the gravity of Saul's actions and why they were seen as a major offense.

Where else these words appear

“offerings” Hebrew H8002 · used in 84 verses

  • Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
  • Leviticus 9:22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.
  • Joshua 22:27 But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.

“hither” Hebrew H5066 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
  • Deuteronomy 25:9 Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house.
  • 2 Kings 4:5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.