Keraia
1 Samuel 13

1 Samuel 13:5

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

Translations

Modern
Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.
Traditional
And 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 Beth–aven.
Literal
And the Philistines gathered together to fight with Israel—three thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people like the sand that is on the shore of the sea in multitude. And they came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth-aven.
Latin
Et Philisthiim congregati sunt ad præliandum contra Israël, triginta millia curruum, et sex millia equitum, et reliquum vulgus, sicut arena quæ est in littore maris plurima. Et ascendentes castrametati sunt in Machmas ad orientem Bethaven.

Original

Hebrew
English
Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

Notes

1 Samuel 13:5

  • The Israelites were greatly outnumbered, which made them afraid.

  • The Philistine army had 3,000 chariots and 6,000 charioteers, showing Israel's weaker position. In 1 Samuel, it never mentions Israel having any chariots (see study note on 1 Samuel 13:19–22).

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

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Beth-aven: Town and wilderness near Ai and Bethel Michmash: A town in Benjamin; site of Saul's camp and Jonathan's victory Philistia: An ancient people and region in Canaan

Glossary

Beth-Aven Bethel (Place), Bethelite Gilgal Michmash Samuel (Person) Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Armies: Ancient, often Numerous Beth-Aven: A Place on the Mountains of Benjamin Cavalry: Mounted: On Horses Chariot for War Chariots used in War by The: Philistines Gilgal: An Altar Built At, and Sacrifice offered Michmash: A City of the Tribe of Benjamin Philistines: Army of The Horse used for Mounting Calvary The Philistines: Invaded the Land of Israel with a Great Army