Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Samuel 13:9

"And Saul said, Bring hither the burnt-offering to me, and the peace-offerings. And he offered the burnt-offering." — 1 Samuel 13:9 (ASV)

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 to 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 against Saul.