1 Samuel 10:8
And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.
Original Language Analysis
יֹרֵ֣ד
And thou shalt go down
H3381
יֹרֵ֣ד
And thou shalt go down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
1 of 23
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
לְפָנַי֮
before
H6440
לְפָנַי֮
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
2 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הַגִּלְגָּל֒
me to Gilgal
H1537
הַגִּלְגָּל֒
me to Gilgal
Strong's:
H1537
Word #:
3 of 23
gilgal, the name of three places in palestine
יֹרֵ֣ד
And thou shalt go down
H3381
יֹרֵ֣ד
And thou shalt go down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
6 of 23
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
לְהַֽעֲל֣וֹת
unto thee to offer
H5927
לְהַֽעֲל֣וֹת
unto thee to offer
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
8 of 23
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עֹל֔וֹת
burnt offerings
H5930
עֹל֔וֹת
burnt offerings
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
9 of 23
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
לִזְבֹּ֖חַ
and to sacrifice
H2076
לִזְבֹּ֖חַ
and to sacrifice
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
10 of 23
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
זִבְחֵ֣י
sacrifices
H2077
זִבְחֵ֣י
sacrifices
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
11 of 23
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
שְׁלָמִ֑ים
of peace offerings
H8002
שְׁלָמִ֑ים
of peace offerings
Strong's:
H8002
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks
שִׁבְעַ֨ת
seven
H7651
שִׁבְעַ֨ת
seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
13 of 23
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
יָמִ֤ים
days
H3117
יָמִ֤ים
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
14 of 23
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
תּוֹחֵל֙
shalt thou tarry
H3176
תּוֹחֵל֙
shalt thou tarry
Strong's:
H3176
Word #:
15 of 23
to wait; by implication, to be patient, hope
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
16 of 23
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בּוֹאִ֣י
till I come
H935
בּוֹאִ֣י
till I come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
17 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וְהֽוֹדַעְתִּ֣י
to thee and shew
H3045
וְהֽוֹדַעְתִּ֣י
to thee and shew
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
19 of 23
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
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.1 Samuel 15:33And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.
Historical Context
Gilgal served as Israel's base of operations during the conquest and remained a significant worship site. The seven-day waiting period would later coincide with a Philistine military threat, testing whether Saul trusted God's timing or succumbed to human pressure. Ancient Near Eastern kings typically combined royal and priestly functions, making Israel's separation of powers distinctive.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when God's timing seems incompatible with urgent circumstances?
- Why is respecting proper boundaries of authority essential even when we feel capable of acting ourselves?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.
This verse establishes the critical test that Saul would later fail catastrophically (1 Samuel 13). The command is precise: go to Gilgal, wait seven days for Samuel to arrive, and then receive further instruction. Gilgal, near Jericho, held profound significance as Israel's first camp after crossing the Jordan and the site of circumcision renewal (Joshua 5). The burnt offerings (olot) represented complete consecration, while peace offerings (zevachim shelamim) signified fellowship with God. Crucially, Samuel - not Saul - would offer these sacrifices. The distinction between royal and priestly functions was absolute in Israel, unlike surrounding nations where kings served as priest-kings. This command tested whether Saul would submit to theocratic order, honoring the boundary between political and spiritual authority. His later impatience revealed a heart that valued expedience over obedience.