1 Samuel 13

King James Version

Full text for 1 Samuel Chapter 13

1¶ Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,

2Saul 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.

3And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that [was] in Geba, and the Philistines heard [of it]. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.

4And all Israel heard say [that] Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and [that] Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.

5And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which [is] on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.

6When 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.

7And [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.

8¶ And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel [had appointed]: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.

9And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.

10And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.

11And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and [that] thou camest not within the days appointed, and [that] the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;

12Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.

13And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

14But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him [to be] captain over his people, because thou hast not kept [that] which the LORD commanded thee.

15¶ And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people [that were] present with him, about six hundred men.

16And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people [that were] present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

17And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way [that leadeth to] Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:

18And another company turned the way [to] Bethhoron: and another company turned [to] the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

19Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make [them] swords or spears:

20But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.

21Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.

22So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that [were] with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.

23And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

King Saul's reign faces a major Philistine threat after Jonathan attacks a garrison. As the Israelite army scatters in fear and Samuel delays, Saul disobediently offers a burnt offering himself. For this act of presumption, Samuel declares that Saul's kingdom will not endure, and God has chosen another king.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with Saul organizing his army, followed by Jonathan's successful strike against a Philistine garrison, which provokes a massive Philistine counter-mobilization at Michmash. Faced with an overwhelming enemy force and a terrified, scattering Israelite army, Saul waits seven days for Samuel as commanded. However, when Samuel does not appear by the appointed time, Saul, under immense pressure, presumes to offer the burnt offering himself. Immediately upon Saul's completion of the sacrifice, Samuel arrives and sternly rebukes him for his disobedience to the Lord's specific command. Samuel declares that because Saul did not keep the Lord's word, his kingdom would not be established permanently, and God had already sought a man after His own heart. The chapter concludes by highlighting Israel's dire military state, with their army reduced to 600 men and a Philistine monopoly on smithing, leaving the Israelites largely disarmed.

Long Summary

1 Samuel 13 details the early challenges of King Saul's reign, beginning with his selection of a 3,000-man army, divided between himself and his son Jonathan. Jonathan initiates conflict by striking a Philistine garrison in Geba, prompting a swift and formidable Philistine response. The Philistines gather an immense force of chariots, horsemen, and foot soldiers at Michmash, creating widespread panic among the Israelites. Many of Saul's soldiers hide in natural shelters or flee across the Jordan River, leaving Saul at Gilgal with a dwindling, terrified remnant. Saul had been commanded by Samuel to wait seven days at Gilgal for his arrival to offer sacrifices. As the seventh day concludes and Samuel has not appeared, and with the Philistine army poised to attack and his own men deserting, Saul takes matters into his own hands. He presumes to offer the burnt offering himself, an act reserved for priests. Immediately after Saul completes the sacrifice, Samuel arrives and confronts him, demanding an explanation for his actions. Saul defends his decision by citing the people's dispersion, Samuel's delay, and the Philistine threat, claiming he "forced" himself to make supplication to the Lord. Samuel, however, unequivocally condemns Saul's act as foolish and a direct violation of the Lord's commandment. He declares that had Saul obeyed, his kingdom would have been established forever, but now it would not continue. Samuel reveals that the Lord has already sought a man after His own heart to be captain over His people, signifying Saul's rejection as the permanent dynastic king. Following this pronouncement, Samuel departs, leaving Saul with only about six hundred men. The chapter further illustrates Israel's military disadvantage, revealing that the Philistines had suppressed smithing in Israel, forcing Israelites to rely on them even for sharpening agricultural tools. Consequently, on the day of battle, only Saul and Jonathan possessed swords or spears, highlighting Israel's severe disarmament as the Philistines position themselves for further conflict.

Core Concepts

  • Saul's PresumptionSaul's act of offering the burnt offering himself, an action reserved for priests, demonstrates his overstepping of divine boundaries and his impatience with God's timing.
  • Divine Rejection of SaulDue to Saul's disobedience in not waiting for Samuel and offering the sacrifice, Samuel declares that Saul's kingdom will not be established permanently, signifying God's decision to seek another king.
  • Israelite DisarmamentThe Philistines maintained control over metalworking in Israel, preventing the Hebrews from forging weapons, which left the Israelite army severely underequipped for battle.
  • Fear and DispersionFaced with a numerically superior Philistine army, the Israelite soldiers were overcome by fear, leading many to hide or flee, significantly reducing Saul's fighting force.
  • Samuel's AuthoritySamuel, as God's prophet, holds the authority to deliver God's commands and pronouncements, including the severe judgment against Saul for his disobedience.
  • God's Sovereignty in KingshipThe chapter emphasizes that the establishment and continuation of a king's reign are ultimately dependent on obedience to God's commandments, rather than human initiative or perceived necessity.