The Israelites’ archnemesis—the Philistines—“gathered together to fight with Israel,” having troops “as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude” (1 Sam. 13:5), and the Israelite “people were distressed” (13:6). Saul “waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel” (13:8), who was going to come and “offer burnt offerings and make sacrifices of peace offerings” (10:8). But, when “Samuel did not come,” Saul “offered the burnt offering” himself (13:9).
When Samuel asked this king from the tribe of Benjamin (not of Levi) why he had offered sacrifices, Saul replied, “I felt compelled” (13:12). Read that again—“I felt compelled.” Are feelings a safe guide in our worship of God? Samuel said to Saul,
You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you” (13:13).
God draws a sharp line of distinction between keeping His commandments and doing what feels right. The first is right and acceptable. The second is foolish and unacceptable. There is only one acceptable way to worship God, and feelings do not determine what that is!
