1 Samuel 13:1

• For the kings of Israel and Judah, Scripture usually records their age when they became king and how long they ruled (for example, 2 Samuel 5:4–5; 1 Kings 14:21).

• thirty years old: This age is likely when Saul became king. The Hebrew text and most Greek manuscripts leave out the number, making the original wording unclear.

• reigned over Israel forty-two years: See the textual note in the Berean Standard Bible. The Masoretic Text reads "over Israel two years." Most scholars think something is missing from the original manuscript, probably due to a copying mistake. Most English translations use forty-two based on the approximate number in Acts 13:21.

Saul lost power through three key events, similar to how he gained it (see study note on 1 Samuel 9:1–11:15):

1. He offered the sacrifices himself instead of waiting for Samuel (1 Samuel 13:1–14);

2. he made a hasty oath that endangered Jonathan's life (1 Samuel 14:1–46); and

3. he disobeyed God by not destroying the Amalekites and their possessions (1 Samuel 15:1–35).