United Commentaries

1Sam.13.1-14

Saul’s fall from power involved a threefold sequence, as had his rise to power (see study note on 9:1–11:15): (1) He offered the sacrifices himself and did not wait for Samuel (13:1-14); (2) he made a rash oath that put Jonathan’s life in danger (14:1-46); and (3) he failed to obey God by eliminating the Amalekites and their belongings (15:1-35).

1Sam.13.1

For the kings of Israel and Judah, Scripture normally records the age of ascension and the length of reign (e.g., 2 Sam 5:4-5; 1 Kgs 14:21).

thirty years old: The number represents a plausible age for Saul’s ascension. The Hebrew text and most Greek manuscripts omit the number , making it difficult to know the original wording.

reigned for forty-two years: See NLT textual note. Most scholars agree that something has fallen out of the original manuscript, most likely due to a copyist’s error. The majority of English translations have forty-two based on the approximate number in Acts 13:21.

1Sam.13.2

Earlier, Saul had employed 330,000 troops to fight against a much less formidable foe (11:8). The selection here of 3,000 special troops probably does not reflect overconfidence (cp. Josh 7:3-4). Rather, Saul likely recognized the need for a smaller, highly trained, elite militia to deal with the troublesome Philistines (see 1 Sam 14:52).

Micmash was located in Benjamin about two miles northwest of Saul’s home in Gibeah.

1Sam.13.3

Geba was located between Jonathan’s forces at Gibeah and Saul’s forces at Micmash. A deep gorge separated Geba and Micmash (see 13:23; 14:5).

The ram’s horn (Hebrew shofar) was used to raise a signal—e.g., to muster an army (Judg 3:27). For other uses, see Lev 25:9; 2 Sam 6:15; 15:10; 18:16; 20:1; Hos 5:8; Joel 2:15.

Non-Israelites often used the term Hebrews disdainfully (see 1 Sam 14:11; 29:3; see also Gen 39:14; 43:32). Saul might have used it to strike a nerve and arouse the people’s pride in their identity.

1Sam.13.4

Saul had destroyed: The commander in chief often got credit for what his soldiers accomplished.

Saul’s kingship had been reaffirmed at Gilgal (11:15). Now the Lord would reject his kingship there because of his disobedience (13:7-14).

1Sam.13.5

The Israelites were massively outnumbered, hence their fearful responses.

The Philistine army’s 3,000 chariots and 6,000 charioteers indicate Israel’s underdog status. Nowhere in 1 Samuel is Israel said to have had any chariots (see study note on 13:19-22).

1Sam.13.7

The land of Gad and Gilead ran the length of Transjordan (the region just east of the Jordan River).

1Sam.13.8

seven days . . . as Samuel had instructed: This instruction most likely was not the instruction in 10:8 but an unrecorded instruction on a separate occasion (see study note on 10:8).

1Sam.13.9

the burnt offering and the peace offerings: These general-purpose offerings (see Exod 24:5; 32:6; Num 10:10; 15:8; Deut 27:6-7) were always offered on a solemn occasion filled with either danger or joy. Typically, only priests were to offer these sacrifices (but see study note on 1 Sam 13:13).

1Sam.13.10

meet and welcome: Saul seemed unaware he had done anything wrong.

1Sam.13.11

What is this you have done? Samuel’s question was a rebuke, not a request for information (cp. Gen 3:13).

1Sam.13.12

asked for the Lord’s help: The purpose of the burnt offering was to entreat God to grant victory in battle. Samuel himself had offered a similar sacrifice, which did lead to victory in battle (see 7:7-11). But Samuel, unlike Saul, served in a priestly role.

1Sam.13.13

the command the Lord . . . gave you: Other kings offered sacrifices without censure (David, 2 Sam 6:13, 17-18; Solomon, 1 Kgs 3:15; 8:64; Ahaz, 2 Kgs 16:12-13), as did judges (Gideon, Judg 6:26), illustrating that on occasion non-priests could conduct sacrifices in a way that pleased the Lord. However, Samuel, God’s prophet, had given Saul the order to wait (see study note on 1 Sam 13:8).

1Sam.13.14

a man after his own heart: This prophecy pertains to David (see also Acts 13:22) rather than to Saul’s son Jonathan. The rejection of Saul was also the rejection of his family dynasty.

1Sam.13.15

only 600 were left: Most of the 3,000 troops (13:2) had abandoned Saul (13:6-7).

1Sam.13.17-18

Armies would send out raiding parties to plunder and sow panic among the enemy. These raiders embarked north (Ophrah), west (Beth-horon), and east (Zeboim), but not south, where Israelite strength was consolidated and where the terrain did not allow easy movement of forces (see study note on 13:23).

1Sam.13.19-22

no blacksmiths: The Philistines kept the Israelites unarmed by gaining a monopoly on the iron necessary to make weapons. Iron technology had not existed long in Canaan; it might have developed in the Aegean area, and metalworking skills were possibly introduced into Canaan through seafaring peoples, including the Philistines.

1Sam.13.23

The pass at Micmash was a strategic passage through the canyon that separated Micmash from Geba, Gibeah, and other towns to the south.