Saul was enabled to win a few battles over the Philistines, even though his troops had hardly any weapons with which to fight. The Philistines were very unhappy that Saul and his people had smitten their garrison, so they sent their army of 30,000 chariots, 6,000 horseman, and as many foot soldiers as the sands of the sea.
Now Saul and the men of Israel were in a strait. What a trial, it looked like they would be annihilated from off the face of the earth. The Israelites were distressed, so they hid! They hid in the caves, in the forest, in the rocks, in high places, and in pits. Some of them moved to a different state, far away from the scene. It was sure to be a massacre. As for Saul, he stayed in Gilgal. All who followed him trembled for fear of the Philistines. Saul was given a job. His job was to wait seven days for Samuel to come and make a burnt offering. Then he would know what God wanted him to do. So he waited, but Samuel was late, and Saul's men were leaving him. He was afraid of the Philistines.
Can you see he was in a hard-pressed situation? What was a man to do? It seems like everyone has to go through a wilderness, and this was Saul's. If only he had waited it out and trusted the Lord!
I am reminded of Jesus in the wilderness. He had fasted forty days. He was hungry, and Satan told Him, “Here's an easy thing to do: if you're God's son, turn these rocks into bread.” Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Our Lord Jesus had to go through trials and temptations, just like everyone else who lives on earth. Hebrews tells us that though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered. And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him.
Jesus told the disciples at the Last Supper, “I will not talk with you much more, for the prince of this world is coming. And he has no claim on me.” (He has nothing in common with me: there is nothing in me that belongs to him, and he has no power over me.) Hallelujah! Just think of it. God was manifested in the flesh. He lowered himself in this weak flesh to feel what we feel and to experience what we experience. He lowered himself to elevate us. He fought the devil on our behalf.
1 John 3:8 says, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning, for this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin.” Jesus told us plainly that in this world we will have tribulation, but be of good cheer: He has overcome the world. He's saying that we are guaranteed troubles, but He will help us through them. Just hold tight and trust in Him. Jesus told us not to be afraid of them who kill the body (this flesh), but to be afraid ofGod, who will judge our souls.