The men who were with Saul began to scatter because they were scared of fighting against the Philistines. They were outnumbered and they had inferior equipment (see 1 Samuel 13:19–22). To remain with Saul was thus an act of faith that victory would somehow come through God’s king.
8 He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him.