1 Samuel 13

Saul Acts Foolishly

Suppose you were one of twenty Church members on an island and the only priesthood holders were deacons in the Aaronic Priesthood. Would it be acceptable for those deacons to administer the sacrament rather than let all the members go without that important ordinance? Why not? In 1 Samuel 13 we read about a situation like this.

Understanding the Scriptures

1 Samuel 13

Garrison (vv. 3–4, 23)Fort

Strait (v. 6)Difficult situation

Distressed (v. 6)Worried

Salute (v. 10)Greet

Supplication (v. 12)Fervent prayer and sacrifice

Spoilers (v. 17)Men assigned to destroy crops, homes, cattle, and so on

Smith (v. 19)Craftsman

Goads (v. 21)Spears

Passage (v. 23)Way to get through the mountains

1 Samuel 13:8—“According to the Set Time That Samuel Had Appointed”

In 1 Samuel 10:8, Samuel asked Saul to meet him in Gilgal, where Samuel would offer sacrifices for him.

Studying the Scriptures

Do activity A as you study 1 Samuel 13.

1. If He Could Do It Over Again

   Sometimes we wish we could relive a certain situation and choose differently. Rewrite the story in 1 Samuel 13:1–16 so that it tells the story in a way that what Saul did pleased the Lord and Samuel.