1 Samuel 13 - Printer Friendly

What does 1 Samuel 13 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

The Israelites demanded a human, earthly king, in part, to lead them in war (1 Samuel 8:20). The expectation was that a king might overthrow the Philistines and regain control over the nation. Though this desire for a king was premature and sinful, God commanded the prophet Samuel to anoint Saul as Israel's first ruler (1 Samuel 10).

Perhaps two years into his reign as Israel's king, Saul sets out to begin shaking off Philistine control. He chooses three thousand men to fight with him against the Philistines. He takes command of two thousands of those men and takes a position at Michmash and the hill country of Bethel. Saul sends his son, Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:1), to command the other one thousand soldiers at Gibeah of Benjamin. From there, Jonathan attacks and defeats a garrison of Philistines at an outpost at Geba (1 Samuel 13:1–3).

The news of this unexpected victory spreads everywhere to the Philistines and Israelites alike. Saul blows the trumpet, calling all the people to join him at Gilgal to prepare for battle against the Philistines. The Philistines amass a mighty army of chariots, horsemen, and foot soldiers. They make camp at Michmash and prepare to squash the Israelite rebellion. When the Israelites hear about the size of the Philistine army, the people begin to scatter. They hide in caves, tombs, and wells and even cross the Jordan river, to the east, to get away from the Philistines. They are terrified (1 Samuel 13:4–7) .

Saul was commanded to wait for Samuel the prophet to come to Gilgal. This was so Samuel—God's appointed messenger for the nation—could properly perform offerings to seek the Lord's favor against the Philistines. When Samuel is late, Saul feels the need to act before all his people desert him. Saul offers the sacrifice himself, finishing just as Samuel arrives. Despite Saul's excuses, Samuel tells the king he has foolishly disobeyed the Lord. Instead of establishing Saul's kingdom forever, the Lord will now take it from him and give it to a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:8–14).

With nothing left to do, Saul leads his depleted army of six hundred men to Geba, south of the Philistine forces at Michmash across a deep ravine. The Philistines prepare for battle by sending out groups of raiders to the north, west, and south to secure their position. Then they send the main force of their army toward the pass across the ravine to attack the Israelites on the other side (1 Samuel 13:15–18).

The Israelites wait mostly unarmed. None have swords or spears except for Saul and Jonathan. This is because the Philistines have not allowed any blacksmithing in Israel for exactly this purpose. The Philistines even charge the Israelites exorbitant fees to sharpen their farm tools (1 Samuel 13:19–23).

The following chapter describes how Saul and his son, Jonathan, fight the Philistines.

First Samuel 13:1–7 describes King Saul's early rebellion against the Philistines. His son Jonathan attacks and defeats a Philistine garrison at Geba. Saul calls all the people to join them at Gilgal. The Philistines arrive with a massive force of chariots, horsemen, and troops to put down the uprising. When the Israelites see how many Philistines have come, they begin to abandon the impending battle, running and hiding.

First Samuel 13:8–23 describes one of Saul's many unwise, disobedient choices. When Israelites fearfully abandon a battle against their Philistine oppressors, Saul takes matters into his own hands. God's prophet, Samuel, is late. So, Saul performs the pre-battle sacrifice himself. Samuel arrives and tells Saul this is why he will not remain king (1 Samuel 16:13). Saul leads the small army he has left to make a stand at Geba, across a ravine from the Philistine army at Michmash. Vastly outnumbered and without many weapons, the Israelites wait as the Philistines begin to move to attack them.

Chapter Summary:

Saul and his son Jonathan defeat a garrison of Philistines and rally Israelites to join them at Gilgal. The Philistines bring a massive army and camp at Michmash. Terrified Israelites begin to flee. Saul disobeys God by not waiting for Samuel and instead offers burnt offerings to the Lord himself. Samuel tells Saul that the throne will pass to someone else because of Saul's faithlessness. The Israelites encamp at Geba, across a deep ravine from the Philistine army. Aside from Saul and Jonathan, the Israelites have no swords or spears.

Chapter Context:

Israel has demanded a king (1 Samuel 8) and the Lord has allowed them to act on this premature, faithless urge (1 Samuel 9—12). Now firmly established, king Saul begins a campaign against the Philistines. His son Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:1) defeats a Philistine garrison. When the Philistines arrive with a massive army, terrified Israelites scatter. Instead of waiting for God's prophet, Samuel, Saul disobeys God's command and performs a pre-battle sacrifice himself. This is one of many examples of Saul's unwise choices (1 Samuel 14:1) and refusal to follow the Lord's commands (1 Samuel 15). These lead to David being the next anointed king (1 Samuel 16).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.

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