dependence on the Lord. It was a test case. When Samuel did not appear, Saul took matters into his own hands and offered the burnt offering. No sooner had he done so than Samuel arrived, only to be greeted by Saul as if nothing had happened. Either Saul was insensitive on spiritual issues, or he was bold-faced, for, by his disobedience, he was challenging Samuel’s spiritual authority and therefore that of the Lord, whose prophet Samuel was. 11–12. Saul condemns himself in his answer to Samuel’s question.