Following his accession to the throne of Israel, Saul collected three thousand men, forming the nucleus of an army for the impending struggle with the Philistines. Actually it was his son Jonathan who precipitated the fray by attacking a Philistine garrison; and to support him, Saul called his subjects to arms, anticipating their loyal response. The result was discouraging. Many, terrorized by the vastly superior forces of their enemies, fled eastward to Gilead; others hid in caves and empty wells. Such as rallied to Saul's standard "followed him trembling" (see I Sam. 13:1-7).
To evaluate the events which followed, one may recall that when Samuel anointed Saul as king, he insisted that Saul marshal his forces at Gilgal and await the coming of the prophet, who would offer sacrifices to God. "Seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do" (I Sam. 10:8).
Saul had now encamped at Gilgal as instructed, but as day after day passed, the Philistine opposition appeared increasingly menacing. His men were deserting him, and he could see no sign of Samuel; so Saul took matters into his own hands, offering sacrifice independently, apparently on the seventh day. At this point Samuel appeared and denounced Saul's action. While Saul had obeyed the letter of the law, he had ignored the spirit of the instructions he had received. In self-willed insistence on his personal planning Saul had forfeited his kingdom (see I Sam. 13:8-13).
