Saul’s first altar to the LORD marks a pivotal moment where he acknowledges God’s sovereignty but also foreshadows the king’s struggle to follow wholeheartedly.
“And Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first altar that he built to the LORD.” (1 Samuel 14:35). King Saul reigned over Israel around 1050-1010 BC as their first human monarch, following the people’s request to have a ruler like the surrounding nations. In this passage, Saul responds to a military skirmish with the Philistines by pausing to honor God at an altar. Altars in ancient Israel served as places of sacrifice and remembrance, as illustrated throughout the Old Testament. For instance, Moses built an altar to worship God after defeating the Amalekites, naming it “The LORD is My Banner”. In every case, building an altar was a tangible expression of devotion and a visible reminder of the people’s dependence on their Suzerain (Ruler) God.
Here in 1 Samuel 14:35, Saul’s decision to build an altar “to the LORD” showcases a moment when Saul seemingly recognizes God’s hand, especially after the tumult of war. The verse specifically notes that “it was the first altar that he built to the LORD,” indicating this is a new practice for Saul. In Scripture, altars were often places of genuine commitment. Yet, as demonstrated elsewhere, such outward acts alone did not guarantee lasting faithfulness (1 Samuel 15:22). The real desire of God’s heart was continued obedience, not merely an external ritual. This tension between external devotion and inward trust surfaces repeatedly in Saul’s reign.
Altars also pointed forward to the fullness of atonement, ultimately accomplished through Jesus Christ. Just as the Old Testament altars were meant to restore fellowship between God and His people through sacrificial offerings, Jesus’s sacrifice accomplished perfect reconciliation (Hebrews 9:11-14). Saul’s altar highlights the human need to draw near to God for guidance and forgiveness, foreshadowing the complete communion found in Christ’s work on the cross.
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1 Samuel 14:35 meaning
“And Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first altar that he built to the LORD.” (1 Samuel 14:35). King Saul reigned over Israel around 1050-1010 BC as their first human monarch, following the people’s request to have a ruler like the surrounding nations. In this passage, Saul responds to a military skirmish with the Philistines by pausing to honor God at an altar. Altars in ancient Israel served as places of sacrifice and remembrance, as illustrated throughout the Old Testament. For instance, Moses built an altar to worship God after defeating the Amalekites, naming it “The LORD is My Banner”. In every case, building an altar was a tangible expression of devotion and a visible reminder of the people’s dependence on their Suzerain (Ruler) God.
Here in 1 Samuel 14:35, Saul’s decision to build an altar “to the LORD” showcases a moment when Saul seemingly recognizes God’s hand, especially after the tumult of war. The verse specifically notes that “it was the first altar that he built to the LORD,” indicating this is a new practice for Saul. In Scripture, altars were often places of genuine commitment. Yet, as demonstrated elsewhere, such outward acts alone did not guarantee lasting faithfulness (1 Samuel 15:22). The real desire of God’s heart was continued obedience, not merely an external ritual. This tension between external devotion and inward trust surfaces repeatedly in Saul’s reign.
Altars also pointed forward to the fullness of atonement, ultimately accomplished through Jesus Christ. Just as the Old Testament altars were meant to restore fellowship between God and His people through sacrificial offerings, Jesus’s sacrifice accomplished perfect reconciliation (Hebrews 9:11-14). Saul’s altar highlights the human need to draw near to God for guidance and forgiveness, foreshadowing the complete communion found in Christ’s work on the cross.