1 Samuel 13:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns,

NIV: When the Israelites saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed, they hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns.

NASB: When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were hard-pressed), then the people kept themselves hidden in caves, in crevices, in cliffs, in crypts, and in pits.

CSB: The men of Israel saw that they were in trouble because the troops were in a difficult situation. They hid in caves, in thickets, among rocks, and in holes and cisterns.

NLT: The men of Israel saw what a tight spot they were in; and because they were hard pressed by the enemy, they tried to hide in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, and cisterns.

KJV: When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

NKJV: When the men of Israel saw that they were in danger (for the people were distressed), then the people hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pits.

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.