1 Samuel 13:9 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Bring hither a burnt offering to me. — It has been supposed by many that the greatness of the sin of Saul consisted in his offering sacrifice with his own hand, but not a hint of this is anywhere given us. It is more than probable that the sacrifice which was offered so prematurely in the absence of the seer of God was performed by the hand of Ahiah the priest, who, no doubt, was in attendance on the king. No unlawful assumption of priestly functions, as in the case of King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:18), is anywhere charged on Saul.