Book of 1 Samuel - Chapter 13 - Verse 11

The verse "And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;" comes from the Book of 1 Samuel in the Old Testament. In this verse, Samuel confronts King Saul for disobeying God's instructions. Saul admits that he took matters into his own hands because he felt pressured by the circumstances around him. Instead of waiting for Samuel to arrive and offer sacrifices as commanded by God, Saul acted out of fear and impatience. This verse serves as a warning against the dangers of disobedience and the importance of trusting in God's timing and guidance. It also highlights the consequences of trying to handle situations independently, without seeking God's direction.

Saul's response to Samuel's confrontation in this verse reveals an excuse for his disobedience to God's clear command. Saul's reasoning was based on fear and impatience; he acted out of panic when he saw the people scattering and Samuel had not arrived within the specified time. Through theological interpretation, we can see that Saul's lack of trust in God's timing and provision led him to take matters into his own hands, ultimately resulting in his disobedience. The word 'appointed' in this context can be studied further to understand the significance of keeping God's appointed timing and being faithful to His commands. The Philistines' gathering at Michmash symbolizes the enemy's readiness to attack when we are not aligned with God's will. This verse serves as a reminder to trust in God's timing, obey His commands, and not let fear or impatience lead us astray.