Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 13

Introduction

Overview

1 Samuel 13:1, Saul’s select band; 1 Samuel 13:3, He calls the Hebrews to Gilgal against the Philistines, whose garrison Jonathan had smitten; 1 Samuel 13:5, The Philistines’ great host; 1 Samuel 13:6, The distress of the Israelites; 1 Samuel 13:8, Saul, weary of staying for Samuel, sacrifices; 1 Samuel 13:11, Samuel reproves him; 1 Samuel 13:17, The three spoiling bands of the Philistines; 1 Samuel 13:19, The policy of the Philistines, to suffer no smith in Israel.

Verse 1

am 2911, bc 1093, An, Ex, Is, 398

reigned one year: Heb. the son of one year in his reigning, This verse is variously interpreted; but probably it only means, according to the Hebrew idiom, that, during the first year nothing remarkable occurred; but after two years - or in the second year of his reign the subsequent events took place. Exodus 12:5, Micah 6:6, *marg.

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 7:13 - came no more 1 Samuel 14:47 - Saul Ezekiel 25:15 - to destroy

Verse 2

chose: 1 Samuel 8:11, 1 Samuel 14:52

Michmash: Michmash was situated east of Bethaven, or Bethel; and Eusebius says it was in his time a considerable place, about nine miles from Jerusalem, towards Rama. 1 Samuel 13:5, 1 Samuel 13:23, 1 Samuel 14:5, 1 Samuel 14:31, Isaiah 10:28

in Gibeah: 1 Samuel 10:26, 1 Samuel 15:34, Joshua 18:28, Judges 19:12, 2 Samuel 21:6, Isaiah 10:29

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 13:11 - Michmash 1 Samuel 13:15 - about six 1 Samuel 14:1 - Jonathan 1 Samuel 18:5 - the men of war 1 Samuel 24:2 - Saul took 1 Samuel 31:2 - Jonathan

Verse 3

the garrison: 1 Samuel 10:5, 1 Samuel 14:1-6, 2 Samuel 23:14

Geba: or, the hill, Joshua 18:24, Gaba, Joshua 21:17, Isaiah 10:29, Zechariah 14:10

blew: Judges 3:27, Judges 6:34, 2 Samuel 2:28, 2 Samuel 20:1

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 28:43 - General 1 Samuel 13:16 - Gibeah 1 Samuel 13:23 - garrison 2 Samuel 8:6 - garrisons 1 Chronicles 6:60 - Geba 1 Chronicles 18:13 - garrisons

Verse 4

was had in abomination: Heb. did stink, Genesis 34:30, Genesis 46:34, Exodus 5:21, Zechariah 11:8

to Gilgal: 1 Samuel 10:8, 1 Samuel 11:14, 1 Samuel 11:15, Joshua 5:9

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 27:12 - utterly to abhor 2 Samuel 10:6 - stank 2 Samuel 16:21 - abhorred 2 Samuel 23:14 - garrison 1 Chronicles 11:16 - the Philistines' 1 Chronicles 19:6 - odious

Verse 5

thirty thousand chariots: The Philistines had no doubt collected troops in this emergency, from all the surrounding nation; but the number of chariots is immensely large beyond any example, and wholly disproportioned to the number of their cavalry. It is probable, therefore, that for sheloshim aileph, "thirty thousand," we should read shelosh aileph, "three thousand," with the Syriac and Arabic.

as the sand: Genesis 22:17, Joshua 11:4, Judges 7:12, 2 Chronicles 1:9, Isaiah 48:19, Jeremiah 15:8, Romans 9:27

Bethaven: 1 Samuel 14:23, Joshua 7:2, Joshua 18:12, Hosea 4:15, Hosea 5:8, Hosea 10:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:49 - General Deuteronomy 28:29 - thou shalt be Judges 3:3 - five lords 1 Samuel 13:2 - Michmash 1 Samuel 13:11 - Michmash 1 Samuel 13:23 - passage 1 Samuel 17:1 - gathered 1 Samuel 28:1 - that the 1 Kings 20:1 - and horses 1 Kings 20:27 - like two 1 Chronicles 17:10 - And since 1 Chronicles 19:7 - hired 2 Chronicles 12:3 - twelve hundred Ezra 2:27 - Michmas Nehemiah 7:31 - Michmas Psalms 20:7 - Some trust Isaiah 10:28 - Michmash Revelation 20:8 - the number

Verse 6

in a strait: Exodus 14:10-12, Joshua 8:20, Judges 10:9, Judges 20:41, 2 Samuel 24:14, Philippians 1:23

in caves: 1 Samuel 14:11, 1 Samuel 23:19, 1 Samuel 24:3, Judges 6:2, Isaiah 42:22, Hebrews 11:38

Reciprocal: Joshua 10:16 - in a cave Judges 2:15 - greatly 1 Samuel 7:7 - afraid 1 Samuel 13:15 - about six 1 Samuel 14:22 - hid themselves 1 Samuel 17:24 - him 1 Samuel 31:7 - they forsook the cities 1 Kings 20:4 - I am thine 2 Kings 13:7 - fifty horsemen 2 Kings 14:9 - The thistle 1 Chronicles 10:7 - then they 1 Chronicles 17:10 - And since 2 Chronicles 15:5 - no peace 2 Chronicles 33:11 - among the thorns Psalms 60:1 - scattered Isaiah 2:19 - And they Jeremiah 4:29 - they shall go Jeremiah 41:9 - because of Gedaliah Jeremiah 48:28 - leave Jeremiah 49:8 - dwell Ezekiel 33:27 - in the caves Hosea 9:6 - they Nahum 3:11 - thou shalt be hid Revelation 6:15 - hid

Verse 7

the Hebrews: Leviticus 26:17, Leviticus 26:36, Leviticus 26:37, Deuteronomy 28:25

Gad: Numbers 32:1-5, Numbers 32:33-42, Deuteronomy 3:12, Joshua 13:24-31

followed him trembling: Heb. trembled after him, Deuteronomy 20:8, Judges 7:3, Hosea 11:10, Hosea 11:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:46 - an heap 1 Samuel 13:15 - about six 1 Samuel 17:24 - him 1 Kings 20:4 - I am thine 2 Kings 13:7 - fifty horsemen Psalms 60:1 - scattered Mark 14:54 - Peter

Verse 8

tarried: 1 Samuel 10:8

Reciprocal: Exodus 24:14 - Tarry ye 2 Samuel 20:5 - tarried

Verse 9

he offered: 1 Samuel 13:12, 1 Samuel 13:13, 1 Samuel 14:18, 1 Samuel 15:21, 1 Samuel 15:22, Deuteronomy 12:6, 1 Kings 3:4, Psalms 37:7, Proverbs 15:8, Proverbs 20:22, Proverbs 21:3, Proverbs 21:27, Isaiah 66:3

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 19:13 - a pillow 1 Samuel 28:18 - obeyedst

Verse 10

Saul: 1 Samuel 15:13

salute him: Heb. bless him, 1 Samuel 15:13, Ruth 2:4, Psalms 129:8

Reciprocal: Numbers 22:36 - went 2 Samuel 8:10 - to bless him Acts 21:7 - and saluted Acts 25:13 - unto

Verse 11

What hast: Genesis 3:13, Genesis 4:10, Joshua 7:19, 2 Samuel 3:24, 2 Kings 5:25

Michmash: 1 Samuel 13:2, 1 Samuel 13:5, 1 Samuel 13:16, 1 Samuel 13:23, 1 Samuel 14:5, Isaiah 10:28

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 14:19 - Withdraw Nehemiah 11:31 - at Michmash Psalms 60:1 - scattered

Verse 12

said I: 1 Kings 12:26, 1 Kings 12:27

made supplication unto: Heb. intreated the face of, etc

I forced: 1 Samuel 21:7, Psalms 66:3, Amos 8:5, 2 Corinthians 9:7

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 13:9 - he offered 1 Kings 12:33 - he offered Proverbs 21:27 - sacrifice Ecclesiastes 5:1 - give Zechariah 7:2 - pray before the Lord

Verse 13

Thou hast done: 2 Samuel 12:7-9, 1 Kings 18:18, 1 Kings 21:20, 2 Chronicles 16:9, 2 Chronicles 19:2, 2 Chronicles 25:15, 2 Chronicles 25:16, Job 34:18, Proverbs 19:3, Matthew 14:3, Matthew 14:4

hast not kept: 1 Samuel 15:11, 1 Samuel 15:22, 1 Samuel 15:28, Psalms 50:8-15

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:28 - foolishly Deuteronomy 17:20 - right hand 1 Samuel 13:9 - he offered 1 Samuel 16:1 - seeing 1 Samuel 28:17 - as he spake 2 Samuel 24:10 - foolishly 1 Kings 11:11 - I will surely 1 Kings 13:21 - thou hast disobeyed 1 Chronicles 10:13 - even against 1 Chronicles 21:8 - I have done 2 Chronicles 6:5 - neither chose 2 Chronicles 24:20 - transgress Psalms 36:3 - he hath Proverbs 12:8 - he Proverbs 21:27 - sacrifice Proverbs 29:4 - king Ecclesiastes 5:1 - give Isaiah 39:5 - Hear Jeremiah 18:10 - then Hosea 6:5 - have I Acts 13:22 - when Galatians 3:1 - Foolish

Verse 14

But now: 1 Samuel 2:30, 1 Samuel 15:28

the Lord: 1 Samuel 16:1, 1 Samuel 16:12, 2 Samuel 7:15, 2 Samuel 7:16, Psalms 78:70, Psalms 89:19, Psalms 89:20-37, Acts 13:22

captain over: 1 Samuel 9:16, 2 Samuel 5:2, 2 Kings 20:5, Hebrews 2:10

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 17:20 - right hand 1 Samuel 10:1 - captain 1 Samuel 15:23 - thou hast rejected 1 Samuel 15:26 - for thou 1 Samuel 18:8 - and what 1 Samuel 25:30 - according 1 Samuel 28:17 - as he spake 2 Samuel 3:18 - for the Lord 2 Samuel 6:21 - chose 1 Kings 11:11 - I will surely 1 Kings 13:21 - thou hast disobeyed 1 Chronicles 10:14 - turned 2 Chronicles 6:5 - neither chose 2 Chronicles 24:20 - transgress Psalms 36:3 - he hath Isaiah 39:5 - Hear Jeremiah 3:15 - And I Daniel 4:31 - The kingdom

Verse 15

Samuel: The LXX have, "Samuel arose and went away from Gilgal, and the remainder of the people went up along with the men of war after Samuel from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin." This is probably the true reading; for it does not appear that Samuel went to Gibeah, which was Saul's usual residence; and the Hebrew copyist, as Dr. Wall observes, seems to have missed a line, and added to the sentence concerning Samuel, that which ended the sentence concerning Saul. One manuscript instead of Samuel, in the beginning of the sentence, reads Saul.

present: Heb. found

about six: 1 Samuel 13:2, 1 Samuel 13:6, 1 Samuel 13:7, 1 Samuel 14:2

Reciprocal: Joshua 18:28 - Gibeath 1 Samuel 11:8 - the children 1 Samuel 15:4 - two 1 Samuel 19:13 - a pillow 2 Kings 13:7 - fifty horsemen

Verse 16

Gibeah: Heb. Gebah, 1 Samuel 13:3

Reciprocal: Joshua 18:28 - Gibeath 1 Samuel 13:11 - Michmash 1 Samuel 14:2 - in the uttermost 1 Samuel 31:2 - Jonathan

Verse 17

in three companies: 1 Samuel 11:11

Ophrah: Joshua 18:23

Shual: Joshua 19:3

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 14:15 - the spoilers 2 Samuel 7:10 - as beforetime 2 Kings 5:2 - by companies Psalms 144:14 - no breaking in

Verse 18

Bethhoron: Joshua 10:11, Joshua 16:3, Joshua 16:5, Joshua 18:13, Joshua 18:14, 1 Chronicles 6:68, 2 Chronicles 8:5

Zeboim: Genesis 14:2, Nehemiah 11:34, Hosea 11:8

Reciprocal: Joshua 10:10 - Bethhoron 2 Kings 5:2 - by companies

Verse 19

there was no: It is probable that the Philistines in the former wars had carried away all the smiths from Israel. Judges 5:8, 2 Kings 24:14, Isaiah 54:16, Jeremiah 24:1

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 28:29 - thou shalt be Deuteronomy 28:43 - General Judges 3:3 - five lords Judges 3:31 - an ox goad 1 Kings 20:6 - and they shall search 2 Kings 13:7 - fifty horsemen 1 Chronicles 17:10 - And since Psalms 60:1 - scattered Psalms 73:8 - speak wickedly Psalms 83:3 - They Psalms 106:43 - brought low Psalms 129:1 - have they

Verse 20

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 17:10 - And since 2 Chronicles 34:6 - mattocks Proverbs 27:17 - Iron Jeremiah 24:1 - smiths

Verse 21

a file: Heb. a file with mouths

sharpen: Heb. set, 1 Samuel 13:21

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 34:6 - mattocks Proverbs 27:17 - Iron

Verse 22

there was neither: 1 Samuel 17:47, 1 Samuel 17:50, Judges 5:8, Zechariah 4:6, 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, 2 Corinthians 4:7

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 14:1 - Jonathan 1 Chronicles 9:39 - and Saul

Verse 23

garrison: or, standing camp, 1 Samuel 13:3, 1 Samuel 14:4

passage: 1 Samuel 13:2, 1 Samuel 13:5, 1 Samuel 14:1, 1 Samuel 14:4, 1 Samuel 14:5, Isaiah 10:28

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 13:11 - Michmash 1 Samuel 14:15 - the spoilers 2 Samuel 23:14 - garrison 1 Chronicles 11:16 - the Philistines' Ezra 2:27 - Michmas Nehemiah 7:31 - Michmas Nehemiah 11:31 - at Michmash Isaiah 10:29 - the passage