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Saul waited seven days, because Samuel had said he would meet him then. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the soldiers began to leave.

So Saul said, “Bring me the whole burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” Then Saul offered the whole burnt offering. 10 Just as he finished, Samuel arrived, and Saul went to greet him.

11 Samuel asked, “What have you done?”

Saul answered, “I saw the soldiers leaving me, and you were not here when you said you would be. The Philistines were gathering at Micmash. 12 Then I thought, ‘The Philistines will come against me at Gilgal, and I haven’t asked for the Lord’s approval.’ So I forced myself to offer the whole burnt offering.”

13 Samuel said, “You acted foolishly! You haven’t obeyed the command of the Lord your God. If you had obeyed him, the Lord would have made your kingdom continue in Israel always, 14 but now your kingdom will not continue. The Lord has looked for the kind of man he wants. He has appointed him to rule his people, because you haven’t obeyed his command.”

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He waited seven(A) days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered(B) up the burnt offering. 10 Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel(C) arrived, and Saul went out to greet(D) him.

11 “What have you done?” asked Samuel.

Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash,(E) 12 I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal,(F) and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.(G)’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”

13 “You have done a foolish thing,(H)” Samuel said. “You have not kept(I) the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.(J) 14 But now your kingdom(K) will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart(L) and appointed(M) him ruler(N) of his people, because you have not kept(O) the Lord’s command.”

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