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 — Samuel instructs Saul to go to Gilgal, the historic sanctuary where Israel had camped after crossing the Jordan (Joshua 4-5). Samuel will meet Saul there to perform sacrifices: burnt offerings (olâh, wholly burned to God) and peace offerings (zebah shlomim, communion sacrifices in which the people shared). The sacrifices will consecrate the kingship and renew covenant. seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come unto thee, and show thee what thou shalt do — Saul is to wait seven days, a sacred period of preparation (the number seven suggesting completeness and holiness). Samuel promises to arrive and give Saul further instructions. This sets up the later crisis in chapter 13 when Saul, impatient, offers the sacrifice himself.

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