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I think the solution to this is that one can make an offering in the sense of it being one’s own personal property but make it through the services of a priest.
After the death of Uzzah, David understood that God must be sought in the correct manner.
He says
1 Chronicles 15:13 For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.
David is unlikely to have made the mistake of failing to offer according to the Law.
If we compare the two accounts, it becomes clearer that David was responsible for providing the offerings, but the sacrifices were made by the priests.
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2 Samuel account |
1 Chronicles account |
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6:12… So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness. |
15:25 So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obededom with joy. |
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6:13 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. |
15:26 And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams. |
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6:17 And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. |
16:1 So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God. |
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6:18 And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. |
16:2 And when David had made an end of offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. |
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6:19 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine… |
16:3 And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. |
‘He’ dealt does not mean that David personally served the bread, flesh and wine, but rather, as in the case of the offerings, that he incurred the expense of the provision.
Saul’s offering would seem to be wrong on two counts:
1. That he did take it upon himself to make the offering.
2. That he disobeyed God’s commandment to wait for Samuel.
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.
1 Samuel 13:8 And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. 9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering. 10 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. 11 And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; 12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. 13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. 14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
He was censured for thinking that he could disobey God and yet obtain God’s help with a sacrifice.
It was the first time, but not the last that Saul made this mistake.
He did it again with Agag and the flocks of the Amalekites.
1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
David understood this.
I hope you find this helpful.
God bless,
Glenn
