Patience

“Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him.”

1 Samuel 13:10

In the morning when Sebin gets up, she comes down looking for something to eat. Hyemi is making breakfast for the family. And we are all hungry. While Hyemi is fixing food, Sebin can’t wait anymore. She runs to mom and says, “I want to drink soymilk! Give me some!”

Now Hyemi knows that is not a good idea because if Sebin drinks a cup of soymilk, Sebin will feel full. Sebin won’t be able to enjoy as much the good food made by mom. Sebin will only eat a little bit and there will be leftovers. Hyemi says, “No. I am making a good and tasty breakfast. Please wait until you eat this breakfast and then I will give you a cup of soymilk.” Sometimes Sebin will listen, but other times she will insist. She would keep on asking for it. Sebin would lose patience and she says, “It’s ok! I will drink first!” Sebin is hungry and she can’t wait. She is willing to give up what is much better to come by choosing what is available now. If Sebin learns to be patient, then she will get to enjoy what is better.

It seems something similar has happened in Saul’s case. They were surrounded by the Philistine army. They are out numbered. In the meantime, they were waiting for Samuel the Prophet. They waited for Samuel to come for seven days. Saul lost patience. Then he offered the burnt offering himself. Right after that, Samuel arrived. As a result Samuel tells the king that his kingdom will not continue because “you (Saul) have not kept what the Lord commanded.”