1 Samuel 13:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Saul chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent home, every man to his tent.

NIV: Saul chose three thousand men from Israel; two thousand were with him at Mikmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. The rest of the men he sent back to their homes.

NASB: Now Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel, of whom two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, while a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin. But he sent the rest of the people away, each to his tent.

CSB: He chose three thousand men from Israel for himself: two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in Bethel’s hill country, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. He sent the rest of the troops away, each to his own tent.

NLT: Saul selected 3,000 special troops from the army of Israel and sent the rest of the men home. He took 2,000 of the chosen men with him to Micmash and the hill country of Bethel. The other 1,000 went with Saul’s son Jonathan to Gibeah in the land of Benjamin.

KJV: Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.

NKJV: Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the mountains of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent away, every man to his tent.

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.

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.

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.