1 Samuel 14:35 – “Then Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first time he had done this.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
1 Samuel 14:35 captures a moment where King Saul builds an altar to the Lord for the first time. This act was significant because altars were places of worship, sacrifice, and communication with God. Building an altar was a way to seek God’s presence, show repentance, or give thanks. However, in this context, Saul’s decision to build the altar seems more like a desperate attempt to seek God’s favor after a series of mistakes rather than a genuine act of worship.
Saul had just ordered the soldiers to bring their livestock to be properly slaughtered to stop them from sinning against God by eating meat with the blood. The altar could have been intended as a way to set things right with God after his leadership failures, but it also highlights that Saul’s actions were often reactive rather than based on a consistent, God-centered approach. Saul’s spiritual leadership was inconsistent, and this altar, though an outward symbol of seeking God, did not reflect a heart fully surrendered to God’s will.
Historical Context
This event takes place during a turbulent time in Israel’s history when King Saul was leading the Israelites in battle against the Philistines. Saul’s impulsive leadership, marked by rash vows and poor decisions, had already caused great distress among his troops. His command that no one eat until evening had weakened his men, leading them to sin out of desperation when they began eating meat without properly draining the blood.
Building an altar to the Lord was a significant act in Israel’s religious practices, but Saul’s first recorded altar came not from a place of routine worship or gratitude, but as a reaction to the crisis caused by his own leadership. This altar came in the wake of the chaos that his decisions had brought, emphasizing that Saul’s spiritual responses were often driven by circumstance rather than a deep, ongoing relationship with God.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse highlights the importance of authentic worship and the need for a consistent relationship with God rather than one driven by crisis. Saul’s altar building was more of an attempt to fix a problem than a genuine act of devotion. This teaches that true worship is not just about outward actions or symbols but must come from a heart that is continually seeking God’s guidance and favor.
This moment also shows that while building an altar was a good step, it was not enough to correct the deeper issues of Saul’s leadership. God desires consistent faithfulness and obedience, not just occasional gestures of piety when things go wrong. The verse serves as a reminder that God is not looking for empty rituals but for hearts that are genuinely devoted to Him.
Literary Analysis
Literarily, this verse serves as a turning point in the narrative, showing Saul’s attempt to make things right after his earlier mistakes. The detail that “it was the first time he had done this” underscores Saul’s lack of spiritual consistency. This altar, rather than being a natural part of Saul’s leadership, appears almost as an afterthought—a way to patch up a situation that had spiraled out of control.
The altar symbolizes a momentary recognition of God’s authority, but it also highlights Saul’s reactive spirituality. The narrative doesn’t dwell on the sacrifices made on the altar, suggesting that while Saul took this step, it was not necessarily a profound act of repentance or renewal.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- 1 Samuel 7:12 – Samuel set up a stone and called it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” This contrasts Saul’s altar, showing how Samuel’s actions reflected true dependence on God.
- 1 Samuel 13:12-14 – Saul previously made a burnt offering himself, against God’s command, showing a pattern of taking spiritual matters into his own hands.
- Isaiah 29:13 – “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” This verse highlights the difference between outward religious actions and genuine devotion.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christian, 1 Samuel 14:35 serves as a reminder that our worship and relationship with God should be consistent and sincere, not just reactive. It challenges us to examine whether our spiritual practices are driven by genuine devotion or simply by the desire to fix problems when things go wrong. This verse encourages believers to cultivate a life of ongoing worship and connection with God, rather than only turning to Him in moments of crisis.
It also teaches that God desires more than just outward acts of worship—He wants our hearts. Building an altar or engaging in religious rituals has value only when it reflects a deeper commitment to living according to God’s will. This calls us to be intentional about our relationship with God, making Him the center of our lives at all times, not just when we are in need.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse reflects God’s love in His willingness to meet us even when our attempts to reach out are flawed or incomplete. While Saul’s altar-building was far from perfect, it shows that God is patient and ready to engage with us even when we are stumbling through our attempts to connect with Him. God’s love is not dependent on our perfect actions but on His desire for us to continually seek Him. This moment demonstrates that God’s love persists even when our worship falls short, always inviting us to draw closer to Him.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Saul’s reactive building of the altar stands in contrast to Jesus’ consistent and perfect relationship with God the Father. Jesus, throughout His life, demonstrated a continual, authentic connection with God, always seeking to do the Father’s will. In John 4:23-24, Jesus teaches that true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, emphasizing that God desires sincere worship from the heart.
Jesus Himself became the ultimate altar through His sacrifice on the cross, providing the way for us to have a real and lasting relationship with God. Unlike Saul’s momentary altar, Jesus’ sacrifice was complete and sufficient, inviting us into a new covenant where we can worship God freely and fully, not out of desperation but out of a deep, ongoing love.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does your worship reflect your relationship with God? Are you consistent in seeking Him, or do you find yourself only turning to Him in times of crisis?
- In what ways can you make your worship more authentic and heartfelt, rather than just an outward action?
- How does Saul’s reactive altar-building challenge you to think about the importance of a consistent, daily relationship with God?
- How does Jesus’ perfect example of worship and His ultimate sacrifice inspire you to live a life that seeks God continually and sincerely?