I Samuel

Saul was …a… The number is lacking in the Heb. text; also, the precise context of the “two years” is uncertain. The verse is lacking in the Septuagint. years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel two years.

Saul picked 3,000 Israelites, of whom 2,000 were with Saul in MichmasbMichmas So in oldest mss.; other mss. and editions read “Michmash” throughout the chapter. and in the hill country of Bethel, and 1,000 with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin; the rest of the troops he sent back to their homes.

Jonathan struck down the Philistine prefect in Geba;cGeba Apparently identical with Gibeah in v. 2. and the Philistines heard about it. Saul had the ram’s horn sounded throughout the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear.”dSaul had the ram’s horn sounded … “Let the Hebrews hear.” Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

When all Israel heard that Saul had struck down the Philistine prefect, and that Israel had incurred the wrath ofeincurred the wrath of Lit. “became malodorous to.” the Philistines, all the people rallied to Saul at Gilgal.

The Philistines, in turn, gathered to attack Israel: 30,000f30,000 Septuagint and other versions read “three thousand.” chariots and 6,000 riders,griders Or “horses”; force of Heb. parash(im) uncertain. and troops as numerous as the sands of the seashore. They marched up and encamped at Michmas, east of Beth-aven.

hMeaning of Heb. uncertain. When Israel’s side saw that they were in trouble—for the troops were hard pressed—the people hid in caves, among thorns, among rocks, in tunnels, and in cisterns.

Some Hebrews crossed the Jordan, [to] the territory of Gad and Gilead. Saul was still at Gilgal, and the rest of the people rallied to him in alarm.

He waited seven days, the time that Samuel [had set].i[had set] So some Heb. mss.; other mss., Septuagint, and Targum read “said.” Cf. 10.8. But when Samuel failed to come to Gilgal, and the people began to scatter,

Saul said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the sacrifice of well-being”; and he presented the burnt offering.

He had just finished presenting the burnt offering when Samuel arrived; and Saul went out to meet him and welcome him.

But Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul replied, “I saw the people leaving me and scattering; you had not come at the appointed time, and the Philistines had gathered at Michmas.

I thought the Philistines would march down against me at Gilgal before I had entreated GOD, so I forced myselfjforced myself Meaning of Heb. uncertain. to present the burnt offering.”

Samuel answered Saul, “You acted foolishly in not keeping the commandment that the ETERNAL your God laid upon you! OtherwisekYou acted … Otherwise Change of vocalization yields, “You acted foolishly. If you had kept the commandment the ETERNAL your God laid upon you…” GOD would have established your dynasty over Israel forever.

But now your dynasty will not endure. GOD will seek out a man with a more willing heart,lwith a more willing heart Trad. “after His own heart.” Cf. 14.7; 2 Sam. 7.21; Ps. 20.5. and GOD will appoint him ruler over this covenanted people, because you did not abide by what GOD had commanded you.”

Samuel arose and went up from GilgalmSamuel arose and went up from Gilgal Septuagint reads here, “Samuel rose and left Gilgal and went his way. The rest of the people followed Saul to meet the soldiers, and they went from Gilgal.” to GibeahnGibeah Sometimes called Geba; cf. vv. 3, 16; 14.5. of Benjamin. Saul numbered the troops who remained with him—about 600 strong.

Saul and his son Jonathan, and the troops who remained with them, stayed in Geba of Benjamin, while the Philistines were encamped at Michmas.

The raiders came out of the Philistine camp in three columns: One column headed for the Ophrah road that leads to the district of Shual,

another column headed for the Beth-horon road, and the third column headed for the borderothe border Septuagint reads “Geba.” road that overlooks the valley of Zeboim toward the desert.

No smith was to be found in all the land of Israel, for the Philistines were afraid that the Hebrews would make swords or spears.

So all the Israelites had to go down to the Philistines to have their plowshares, their mattocks, axes, and colterspcolters Meaning of Heb. uncertain. Septuagint reads “sickle.” sharpened.

qMeaning of several terms in this verse uncertain. The charge for sharpening was a pim rpim I.e., two-thirds of a shekel. for plowshares, mattocks, three-pronged forks, and axes, and for setting the goads.

Thus on the day of the battle, no sword or spear was to be found in the possession of any of the troops with Saul and Jonathan; only Saul and Jonathan had them.

Now the Philistine garrison had marched out to the pass of Michmas.