1 Samuel 13

In this chapter, Saul, the first king of Israel, faces a crisis as the Philistines prepare for war. His impatience and disobedience are highlighted, and Samuel rebukes him for not waiting for God's direction. This chapter marks the beginning of Saul’s decline as king, with consequences that will affect his reign and the future of Israel.

1 Samuel 13:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,
2 Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the mountains of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent away, every man to his tent.
3 And Jonathan attacked the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. Then Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, "Let the Hebrews hear!"
4 Now all Israel heard it said that Saul had attacked a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel had also become an abomination to the Philistines. And the people were called together to Saul at Gilgal.
5 Then the Philistines gathered together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude. And they came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth Aven.

Saul, early in his reign, faces a mounting threat from the Philistines. His son Jonathan initiates a military move by attacking a Philistine garrison, which provokes the Philistines to prepare for war in overwhelming numbers. Saul summons the people to Gilgal to face the coming battle. The Philistine army, with its vast size and superior technology (chariots and horsemen), poses a severe threat, and Israel’s situation appears dire.

1 Samuel 13:6-7 (NKJV)
6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in danger (for the people were distressed), then the people hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pits.
7 And some of the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

The Israelites, seeing the might of the Philistine army, are filled with fear. Many hide in caves and other hiding places, while some flee across the Jordan River. Those who remain with Saul at Gilgal are filled with anxiety and uncertainty, making the situation even more precarious.

1 Samuel 13:8-10 (NKJV)
8 Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
9 So Saul said, "Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me." And he offered the burnt offering.
10 Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him.

Saul waits for Samuel as instructed, but when Samuel does not arrive after seven days and his army begins to scatter, Saul takes matters into his own hands. He performs the burnt offering himself, a role reserved for the priest, showing impatience and disobedience. Ironically, Samuel arrives just after Saul completes the offering, highlighting Saul’s lack of trust in God’s timing.

1 Samuel 13:11-12 (NKJV)
11 And Samuel said, "What have you done?" Saul said, "When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash,
12 then I said, 'The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.' Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering."

When Samuel questions Saul, Saul explains his reasoning, blaming the scattering of the people, Samuel’s delay, and the Philistine threat. He claims he felt "compelled" to offer the sacrifice, indicating he acted out of fear and pressure, rather than waiting on God’s direction. His excuse shows a lack of faith and leadership under pressure.

1 Samuel 13:13-14 (NKJV)
13 And Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.
14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you."

Samuel rebukes Saul, telling him that his actions were foolish and disobedient. Because Saul did not follow God’s command, his kingdom will not endure. Samuel prophesies that God has chosen another man, "after His own heart," to replace Saul as king. This marks the beginning of Saul’s downfall and hints at David’s future rise to the throne.

1 Samuel 13:15-18 (NKJV)
15 Then Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people present with him, about six hundred men.
16 Saul, Jonathan his son, and the people present with them remained in Gibeah of Benjamin, but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
17 Then raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies. One company turned onto the road to Ophrah, to the land of Shual,
18 another company turned to the road to Beth Horon, and another company turned to the road of the border that overlooks the Valley of Zeboim, toward the wilderness.

After Samuel departs, Saul is left with only six hundred men, a significant reduction in his forces. The Philistines continue their advance, sending out raiders to different strategic locations, further weakening Israel's position. The Philistines control key routes, putting Israel in a defensive and vulnerable position.

1 Samuel 13:19-21 (NKJV)
19 Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, "Lest the Hebrews make swords or spears."
20 But all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen each man’s plowshare, his mattock, his ax, and his sickle;
21 and the charge for a sharpening was a pim for the plowshares, the mattocks, the forks, and the axes, and to set the points of the goads.

The Israelites are at a severe disadvantage because the Philistines have kept them from having blacksmiths, preventing the manufacture of weapons. The Israelites even have to rely on the Philistines for basic agricultural tools, which further emphasizes their subjugation and vulnerability in this conflict.

1 Samuel 13:22-23 (NKJV)
22 So it came about, on the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan, but they were found with Saul and Jonathan his son.
23 And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.

When the time for battle arrives, the Israelites are almost entirely unarmed, with only Saul and Jonathan having swords or spears. The Philistines hold the strategic position at Michmash, making it clear that Israel is vastly outmatched both in numbers and in weaponry. This sets the stage for the desperate situation Israel faces going into the next chapter.