1 Samuel — Chapter 13

📖 1 Samuel — Chapter 13 (KJV)

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Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.

1 Samuel 13:1 Saul ^RTreigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,

1 Samuel 13:2 Saul ^Rchose 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.

1 Samuel 13:3 And Jonathan smote ^Rthe garrison of the Philistines that was in ^TGeba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.

1 Samuel 13:4 And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also ^RTwas had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.

1 Samuel 13:5 And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people ^Ras the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.

1 Samuel 13:6 When the men of Israel saw that they were ^Rin 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.

1 Samuel 13:7 And some of ^Rthe Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people ^Tfollowed him trembling.

1 Samuel 13:8 And he ^Rtarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.

1 Samuel 13:9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And ^Rhe offered the burnt offering.

1 Samuel 13:10 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and ^RSaul went out to meet him, that he might ^Tsalute him.

1 Samuel 13:11 And Samuel said, ^RWhat 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;

1 Samuel 13:12 Therefore ^Rsaid I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not ^Tmade supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.

1 Samuel 13:13 And Samuel said to Saul, ^RThou 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.

1 Samuel 13:14 ^RBut 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.

1 Samuel 13:15 And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were ^Tpresent with him, ^Rabout six hundred men.

1 Samuel 13:16 And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were ^Tpresent with them, abode in ^TGibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

1 Samuel 13:17 And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines ^Rin three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:

1 Samuel 13:18 And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of ^RZeboim toward the wilderness.

1 Samuel 13:19 Now ^Rthere was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:

1 Samuel 13:20 But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.

1 Samuel 13:21 Yet they had ^Ta file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to ^Tsharpen the goads.

1 Samuel 13:22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that ^Rthere 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.

1 Samuel 13:23 And the ^RTgarrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.

📚 Study This Chapter

📖 What We’re Reading

1 Samuel 13:1–7 — Conflict and fear at Gilgal

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Jonathan attacks the Philistine garrison, and a larger enemy force gathers. Israel hides or flees while Saul remains at Gilgal with trembling followers. The setting makes the pressure on obedience visible without excusing the response that follows.

Key Truth: Fear and shrinking support form the test Saul faces.

Check What You Remember

📖 What We’re Reading

1 Samuel 13:8–14 — Saul offers before Samuel arrives

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Saul waits the appointed period but offers the burnt offering as his followers scatter. Samuel arrives immediately afterward and confronts his failure to keep the command. Saul's explanation centers on circumstances; Samuel's answer centers on obedience and the future of the kingdom.

Key Truth: Urgent circumstances do not make disobedience faithful.

Check What You Remember

📖 What We’re Reading

1 Samuel 13:15–23 — A weakened force and scarce weapons

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Saul numbers about six hundred men. Philistine raiding parties spread out, while Israel lacks smiths and depends on Philistines for sharpening tools. Only Saul and Jonathan have swords or spears among their force, setting up the next chapter's contrast between resources and God's help.

Key Truth: Israel's military weakness is recorded plainly rather than hidden.

Check What You Remember

Related Scripture (KJV)

1 Samuel 10:8 — Samuel's earlier instruction explains the required waiting and direction at Gilgal.

1 Samuel 10:8 (KJV) And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.

This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.

Reflect and Apply

Compare Saul's reasons with Samuel's diagnosis. What does each focus on?

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