In 1 Samuel 13, we see Saul, the first king of Israel, make a fatal mistake—one that costs him his dynasty. Instead of waiting on the Lord’s appointed prophet, Samuel, to offer sacrifices before battle, Saul takes matters into his own hands. His impatience reveals a deeper issue: a heart that does not fully trust God.
In contrast, Jesus is the true and righteous King who waits on God’s timing perfectly. While Saul was rejected for his disobedience, Jesus reigns forever because of His perfect submission to the Father’s will. He knew when to act and when to wait. John 7:6-8 highlights this truth:
“Jesus therefore said to them, ‘My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. You go up to the feast; I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.’” (John 7:6-8, ESV)
This passage in John ties beautifully to 1 Samuel 13 because both involve a test of patience and obedience to God’s perfect timing. Jesus, unlike Saul, waited in full trust, aligning Himself with the will of the Father.
1. Saul’s Impatience: A King Who Refused to Wait
1 Samuel 13 sets the stage for a crucial moment in Israel’s history. The Philistines were gathering a massive army against Israel, causing fear to spread among Saul’s men. The people were hiding in caves, and Saul saw his army shrinking. Under pressure, he chose to act in his own wisdom rather than obey God’s instructions through Samuel:
“So Saul said, ‘Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.’ And he offered the burnt offering. As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came.” (1 Samuel 13:9-10, ESV)
Saul’s mistake? He took on the role of priest and prophet, which was not his to claim. He refused to wait on Samuel, the one God had appointed. The result was tragic:
“You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue.” (1 Samuel 13:13-14, ESV)
This event foreshadows the need for a better king—one who would obey perfectly.
2. Jesus’ Patience: The True King Who Waited on God
Unlike Saul, Jesus knew His time had not yet come. In John 7, His brothers urged Him to go to Jerusalem and reveal Himself as the Messiah. But Jesus, perfectly aligned with the Father’s will, refused to act prematurely.
“My time has not yet come, but your time is always here.” (John 7:6, ESV)
He did not seek power on His own terms. He did not rush into His kingship. Instead, He waited for the Father’s appointed time, even when it meant suffering. His ultimate obedience is seen in Gethsemane, where He prays:
“Not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42, ESV)
Jesus waited because He trusted God’s timing, even when it led to the cross.
3. The Lesson for Us: Trusting God’s Timing
The difference between Saul and Jesus is a lesson for us:
- Saul rushed ahead and lost everything.
- Jesus waited in obedience and gained everything.
How often do we act like Saul, forcing things to happen in our own timing? We must learn to wait on God—for relationships, career moves, ministry opportunities, and even the fulfillment of His promises.
Waiting is not wasted time when it is done in faithful obedience. The reward of patience is seeing God’s perfect will unfold in our lives.
Jesus: The King Who Restores What Saul Lost
Where Saul failed, Jesus succeeded. He is the eternal King whose kingdom will never end.
“And the LORD will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32-33, ESV)
If we trust in Him, we can live under His perfect reign, knowing that He knows the right time for every breakthrough, every blessing, and every battle.
Instead of rushing, let us follow Jesus—the King who waited on God’s perfect timing.
