INTRODUCTION: Both the sin of Saul in sacrificing and the absence of smiths (blacksmiths) in Israel point to the danger of fighting God’s battles according to the ways of man and the world. We must learn spiritual warfare if we would win God’s battles.

1. THE INVASION OF THE PHILISTINES (1 Samuel 13:1-7 [1] Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, [2] Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. [3] And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear. [4] And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal. [5] And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven. [6] When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits. [7] And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
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1. The Immediate Causes of the Invasion (1 Samuel 13:1-4 [1] Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, [2] Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. [3] And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear. [4] And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.
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1. The choosing of Saul as king (1 Samuel 13:1Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,
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1. Saul had only reigned two years.
2. The Philistines felt threatened by a king over Israel.
2. Saul establishes a standing army (1 Samuel 13:2Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
   See All...; see 1 Samuel 8:10-12 [10] And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. [11] And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. [12] And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.
   See All...).
1. 2,000 with Saul in Michmash
2. 1,000 with Jonathan in Gibeah
3. The remainder of the Israelites sent home
3. Jonathan defeats the garrison in Geba (1 Samuel 13:3And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
   See All...a).
4. NOTE: “and the Philistines heard of it” (1 Samuel 13:3And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
   See All...). Begin winning a battle or two for the Lord and the enemy will hear of it. That explains why great victories are often followed by greater battles. We are in a spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-13 [10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. [11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. [13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
   See All...; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 [3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: [4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) [5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
   See All...). When we attack, we receive a counterattack.
5. Saul gives a general call to arms (1 Samuel 13:3And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
   See All...b-4).
1. He blows the trumpet (1 Samuel 13:3And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
   See All...b).
2. He spreads the word (1 Samuel 13:4And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.
   See All...a).
1. That he has smitten a garrison of the Philistines
2. That Israel is had in abomination of the Philistines – just as we are had in abomination of the world (John 15:18-20 [18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. [19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. [20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
   See All...; Galatians 6:14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
   See All...; 1 Peter 4:12-13 [12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: [13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
   See All...; 1 John 3:1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
   See All...)
3. He calls them to Gilgal (1 Samuel 13:4And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.
   See All...b) - a safe place, close to the Jordan River, far from the enemy lines.
2. The Invasion Forces Arrive (1 Samuel 13:5-7 [5] And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven. [6] When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits. [7] And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
   See All...).
1. The Philistines pitch camp in Michmash (1 Samuel 13:5And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.
   See All...).
1. Well into the heart of Israel, about 10 miles north of Jerusalem
2. At a crossroads where much damage could be done
3. With chariots, horsemen and a great army
1. 30,000 chariots
2. 6,000 horsemen
3. People as the sand on the sea shore in multitude
4. NOTE: Chariots could never be used to full advantage in this mountainous terrain.
2. The Israelites react with great fear (1 Samuel 13:6-7 [6] When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits. [7] And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
   See All...).
1. They see the great forces against them (1 Samuel 13:6When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
   See All...).
2. They are greatly distressed at their plight (1 Samuel 13:6When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
   See All...).
3. They hide in any place they can find (1 Samuel 13:6When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
   See All...).
1. In caves
2. In thickets
3. In rocks
4. In high places
5. In pits
4. Some of them flee to the eastern side of the Jordan (1 Samuel 13:7And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
   See All...).
5. Saul tarries in Gilgal with a terrified army (1 Samuel 13:7And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
   See All...).
2. SAUL’S DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD (1 Samuel 13:8-14 [8] And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. [9] And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering. [10] And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. [11] 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; [12] Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. [13] And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. [14] But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
   See All...)
1. Saul Offers a Burnt Offering (1 Samuel 13:8-10 [8] And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. [9] And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering. [10] And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
   See All...).
1. Samuel is delayed in coming to Gilgal (1 Samuel 13:8And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
   See All...a).
2. Saul is losing his army as they scatter (1 Samuel 13:8And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
   See All...b).
3. Saul impatiently offers the sacrifice (1 Samuel 13:9And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
   See All...).
1. He calls for a burnt offering and a peace offering.
2. He only offers the burnt offering.
4. Samuel arrives immediately afterward (1 Samuel 13:10And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
   See All...).
1. Saul, as the peoples’ anointed king, has no right to offer a sacrifice   (Leviticus 10:1-3 [1] And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. [2] And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. [3] Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.
   See All...; Leviticus 22:1-3 [1] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [2] Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name in those things which they hallow unto me: I am the LORD. [3] Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I am the LORD.
   See All...; 2 Chronicles 26:1Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.
   See All..., 5, 16-21).
2. Samuel’s immediate arrival shows that this is a test from God to see if Saul would trust in Him. He would have been much better to have gone to battle without the sacrifice than to have offered it himself. Saul is no longer little in his own eyes (1 Samuel 9:21And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?
   See All...).
3. How often have we gotten in trouble by forcing action not in God’s will when we could have just waited a little longer on the Lord and seen a great deliverance?
2. Samuel Rebukes King Saul (1 Samuel 13:11-14 [11] 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; [12] Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. [13] And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. [14] But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
   See All...).
1. Samuel questions Saul’s actions (1 Samuel 13:11And 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;
   See All...).
2. Saul’s excuses (1 Samuel 13:11-12 [11] 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; [12] Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
   See All...; cp. 1 Samuel 15:20-21 [20] And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. [21] But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
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1. The scattering of the people (1 Samuel 13:11And 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;
   See All...); Note: Saul’s first reasoning has to do with what he “saw.” This reminds us of the failure in the garden in Eden when Eve “saw” that the tree was good for food (Genesis 3:6And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
   See All...).
2. The delay of Samuel (1 Samuel 13:11And 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;
   See All...)
3. The gathering of the Philistines (1 Samuel 13:11And 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;
   See All...)
4. The approaching of the battle (1 Samuel 13:12Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
   See All...)
5. The necessity of the sacrifice (1 Samuel 13:12Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
   See All...) – “I have not made supplication unto the LORD.”
6. The difficulty of the decision (1 Samuel 13:12Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
   See All...) – “I forced myself.”
7. NOTE: We always have a hundred excuses for disobeying God. But they are never enough.
3. Saul’s condemnation (1 Samuel 13:13-14 [13] And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. [14] But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
   See All...)
1. His foolishness (1 Samuel 13:13And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
   See All...)
2. His disobedience (1 Samuel 13:13And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
   See All...)
3. His rejection (1 Samuel 13:14But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
   See All...)
4. His replacement (1 Samuel 13:14But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
   See All...)
1. The Lord seeks “a man after his own heart.”
2. The Lord will make him “captain over his people.”
3. THEIR PREPARATION FOR BATTLE (1 Samuel 13:15-23 [15] And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men. [16] And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash. [17] And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual: [18] And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness. [19] Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears: [20] But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock. [21] Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads. [22] So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found. [23] And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.
   See All...)
1. The Army of Israel (1 Samuel 13:15-16 [15] And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men. [16] And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
   See All...)
1. Samuel departs to Gibeah (1 Samuel 13:15And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.
   See All...).
2. Saul numbers his army at 600 men (1 Samuel 13:15And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.
   See All...).
3. Saul encamps at Gibeah (1 Samuel 13:16And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
   See All...); separated from the Philistines by a deep ravine.
2. The Spoilers of the Philistines (1 Samuel 13:17-18 [17] And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual: [18] And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
   See All...) – three companies
1. One goes north toward Ophrah (1 Samuel 13:17And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:
   See All...).
2. A second goes west toward Beth-horon (1 Samuel 13:18And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
   See All...).
3. A third goes east toward the wilderness and Jordan (1 Samuel 13:18And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
   See All...).
4. NOTE: Saul’s army is so weak that they ignore it.
3. The Weakness of the Israelites (1 Samuel 13:19-23 [19] Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears: [20] But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock. [21] Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads. [22] So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found. [23] And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.
   See All...)
1. Dependent on the Philistines for their smith work (1 Samuel 13:19-21 [19] Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears: [20] But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock. [21] Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.
   See All...)
1. No smith in Israel (1 Samuel 13:19Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
   See All...)
2. Went to the Philistines to sharpen their tools (1 Samuel 13:20But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.
   See All...); we see churches and Christians today depending on the world to sharpen their spiritual tools. This is one of the greatest causes of weakness in the work of Christ.
3. Did the best they could with files (1 Samuel 13:21Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.
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2. Without weapons in the day of battle (1 Samuel 13:22-23 [22] So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found. [23] And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.
   See All...)

CONCLUSION: Saul is so consumed by the physical battles that he loses sight of the most important spiritual battles. In doing so, he not only stands in danger of losing a battle, but he has already lost the permanency of his kingdom.