Keraia
1 Samuel 13

1 Samuel 13:2

War with the Philistines · 1 Samuel 13:1–7
Read 1 Samuel 13

Translations

Modern
He chose for himself three thousand men of Israel: Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. And the rest of the troops he sent away, each to his own home.
Traditional
Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Beth–el, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
Literal
…and Saul chose for himself three thousand of Israel: And two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. And the rest of the people he sent away, every man to his tent.
Latin
Et elegit sibi Saul tria millia de Israël: et erant cum Saul duo millia in Machmas, et in monte Bethel: mille autem cum Jonatha in Gabaa Benjamin: porro ceterum populum remisit unumquemque in tabernacula sua.

Original

Hebrew
English
He chose for himself three thousand men of Israel: Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. And the rest of the troops he sent away, each to his own home.

Notes

1 Samuel 13:2

  • Earlier, Saul had used 330,000 troops to fight a weaker enemy (1 Samuel 11:8). Choosing 3,000 special troops here likely does not show overconfidence (compare Joshua 7:3–4). Instead, Saul probably saw the need for a smaller, highly trained elite force to handle the troublesome Philistines (see 1 Samuel 14:52).

  • Michmash was in Benjamin, about 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) northwest of Saul’s home in Gibeah.

1 Samuel 13:1–16:13

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).

Theme notes and profiles

Jonathan Samuel Saul

Events

People

Benjamin: Youngest son of Jacob and Rachel Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Jonathan: Eldest son of King Saul and friend of David Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel

Places

Bethel: Important city in Israel, associated with Abraham and Jacob Gibeah: A city of Benjamin, associated with Saul and atrocities Michmash: A town in Benjamin; site of Saul's camp and Jonathan's victory

Glossary

Bethel (Place), Bethelite Jonathan Michmash Samuel, Books of First and Second Warfare

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks: Standing Armies Beth-El: A Mountain Kings: Attended by a Body-Guard Michmash is Garrisoned by Saul Mountains: Bethel The Armies of Israel: Disbanded After War The Armies of Israel: Part of, Retained in Times of Peace by the Kings