6 The men of Israel saw that they were in trouble because the troops were in a difficult situation. They hid in caves, in thickets, among rocks, and in holes and cisterns.o 7 Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead.

Saul, however, was still at Gilgal, and all his troops were gripped with fear. 8 He waited seven days for the appointed time that Samuel had set,p but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and the troops were deserting him. 9 So Saul said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” Then he offered the burnt offering.

10 Just as he finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. So Saul went out to greet him, 11 and Samuel asked, “What have you done?”

Saul answered, “When I saw that the troops were deserting me and you didn’t come within the appointed days and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash, 12 I thought, ‘The Philistines will now descend on me at Gilgal, and I haven’t sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I forced myself to offer the burnt offering.”

13 Samuel said to Saul, “You have been foolish.q You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you.r It was at this time that the Lord would have permanently established your reign over Israel,s 14 but now your reign will not endure.t The Lord has found a man after his own heart,I,u and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over his people, because you have not done what the Lord commanded.” 15 Then Samuel wentJ from Gilgal to Gibeah in Benjamin. Saul registered the troops who were with him, about six hundred men.