On the day when Saul was anointed by Samuel as king of Israel (1 Samuel 10:1), he was told about a Philistine garrison near Gibeah (1 Samuel 10:5) and encouraged to do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you
(1 Samuel 10:7). Thereafter he was to go down to Gilgal and wait for Samuel to come and offer burnt offerings and sacrifice peace offerings (1 Samuel 10:8). Specifically he had to wait seven days. Though many years separate the giving of these instructions and the gathering at Gilgal, they are nevertheless connected.1 King Saul was meant to deliver Israel from the Philistines (1 Samuel 9:16), and after the attack of Jonathan, he finds himself in the situation previously foreseen by Samuel.2 Presumably, when Samuel arrived and sacrificed the various offerings, he would have given Saul further instructions about the fight against the Philistines.3
8 He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him.