1 Samuel 13:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and some Hebrews crossed the fords of the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was still at Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

NIV: Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear.

NASB: And some of the Hebrews crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead. But as for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him, trembling.

CSB: Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul, however, was still at Gilgal, and all his troops were gripped with fear.

NLT: Some of them crossed the Jordan River and escaped into the land of Gad and Gilead. Meanwhile, Saul stayed at Gilgal, and his men were trembling with fear.

KJV: And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

NKJV: And some of the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

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.