the command that the LORD your God gave you: Other kings offered sacrifices without criticism:
David (2 Samuel 6:13, 17–18)
Solomon (1 Kings 3:15; 8:64)
Ahaz 2 Kings 16:12–13)
Judges like Gideon (Judges 6:26) did the same. This shows that sometimes non-priests could perform sacrifices that pleased the Lord. However, Samuel, God's prophet, had instructed Saul to wait (see study note on 1 Samuel 13:8).