All Israel gathered under one king, discovering unity and rejoicing in God’s faithfulness.
“So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal. There they also offered sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.” (1 Samuel 11:15)
In this verse, the people of Israel officially confirm Saul as their king, gathering in Gilgal to formalize what the prophet Samuel had already foreshadowed through anointing. Their journey to Gilgal—a location near the Jordan River, west of the crossing point used by Joshua when entering the Promised Land—demonstrates the deep spiritual significance of the place. Gilgal was historically a site of covenant renewal (Joshua 4:19), making it a fitting location to begin the kingdom of Israel’s first monarch. By proclaiming Saul as king “before the LORD,” the people are both acknowledging their alignment with God’s authority and celebrating a new chapter in Israel’s governance.
The text tells us they “offered sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD,” which represents worship, thankfulness, and a shared communal meal. These peace offerings, detailed elsewhere in Scripture (Leviticus 3:1-17), express fellowship with God and with one another. The people’s rejoicing reflects their hope that King Saul—reigning from around 1050 BC to roughly 1010 BC—would protect them from their enemies and guide them in covenant faithfulness. At this key moment, Saul’s elevation to leadership underscores the transition from the period of the judges to the era of the monarchy, fulfilling Israel’s earlier request for a king (1 Samuel 8:19-22).
Still, even with this outward coronation, the true measure of Saul—or any leader in Israel—would be found in submission to God’s commands (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). Ultimately, this verse resonates further when we consider how the New Testament repeatedly portrays Jesus Christ as the righteous King, fulfilling all God’s promises in Himself (Luke 1:32-33). Saul’s reign, while significant for Israel, remains a shadow of the perfect kingship that the Messiah would one day embody for all who trust Him.
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1 Samuel 11:15 meaning
“So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal. There they also offered sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.” (1 Samuel 11:15)
In this verse, the people of Israel officially confirm Saul as their king, gathering in Gilgal to formalize what the prophet Samuel had already foreshadowed through anointing. Their journey to Gilgal—a location near the Jordan River, west of the crossing point used by Joshua when entering the Promised Land—demonstrates the deep spiritual significance of the place. Gilgal was historically a site of covenant renewal (Joshua 4:19), making it a fitting location to begin the kingdom of Israel’s first monarch. By proclaiming Saul as king “before the LORD,” the people are both acknowledging their alignment with God’s authority and celebrating a new chapter in Israel’s governance.
The text tells us they “offered sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD,” which represents worship, thankfulness, and a shared communal meal. These peace offerings, detailed elsewhere in Scripture (Leviticus 3:1-17), express fellowship with God and with one another. The people’s rejoicing reflects their hope that King Saul—reigning from around 1050 BC to roughly 1010 BC—would protect them from their enemies and guide them in covenant faithfulness. At this key moment, Saul’s elevation to leadership underscores the transition from the period of the judges to the era of the monarchy, fulfilling Israel’s earlier request for a king (1 Samuel 8:19-22).
Still, even with this outward coronation, the true measure of Saul—or any leader in Israel—would be found in submission to God’s commands (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). Ultimately, this verse resonates further when we consider how the New Testament repeatedly portrays Jesus Christ as the righteous King, fulfilling all God’s promises in Himself (Luke 1:32-33). Saul’s reign, while significant for Israel, remains a shadow of the perfect kingship that the Messiah would one day embody for all who trust Him.