1 & 2 Samuel

1 Samuel Chapter 13

Saul Fights the Philistines

• 1Samuel 13:1  Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, 
• 2  Saul chose 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. 
• 3  And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear. 

Time for war to fight against the Philistines which were their enemies since even before the days of Samson recorded in the book of Judges. Saul divided the 3000 men into three groups. 2,000 with him and one thousand with his son Jonathan. Others besides the 3000 were returned to their tents on call or ready when called. Jonathan began this battle by defeating the Philistines in Geba. I'm thinking Saul blew a trumpet for the Hebrews to hear and be encouraged to arise and come to battle. Geba was the place that was the home of Saul. Notice that even though an army of men do the fighting, the leader gets the credit and the praise for the victories. That may not be bad because they do the commanding and the planning but we need to realize that except for Samson as told in the book of Judges, no one does it alone without many other fighters behind them.

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

How word got from one place to another in the days before the modern media always amazes me. There had to be a few that separated themselves from the main group and traveled on horseback, camels or donkeys to get out the word. Hopefully they told the truth as they saw it and didn't exaggerate or downplay anything. The power of the press to do good or evil is something to be cautious of. It can cause hate and fear on one hand or do good by informing the public in times of disasters to be able to send help.

• 1Samuel 13:5  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 Bethaven. 
• 6  When the men of Israel saw that they were in 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. 
• 7  And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. 

Fear came upon the Israelis here because they were greatly outnumbered and began to hide. Some escaped to the tribe of Gad across the Jordan river. Some stayed with Saul but began to tremble in fear.

Saul's Unlawful Sacrifice

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

It is recorded in chapter 10 of 1 Samuel that Samuel instructed Saul to go to Gilgal and wait for him to come to offer burnt offerings to the Lord. He was to wait for Samuel to come and shew him what to do at that time. Sadly disobedience started Saul's downfall.

• 1Samuel 10:8  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 is one of the things in God's word that is sad but it really points out our weakness for not waiting upon the Lord and doing things by our own will that leads to disobedience of His word.

God's word is very important and we must take it in context studying it carefully with prayer that we get it right. We must also believe it above our own will power or instinct. And for sure believe God's word above the any human society we find ourselves living in. No matter what the situation we face, God has the answer but it takes patience and determination to wait on God for answers. I believe though that many times in emergency situations, God gives immediate answers to those faithful to Him. His word is more important than the world of today realizes.

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

Saul was not a priest or a prophet and also did not wait until the end of the seventh day thinking that Samuel was not coming or was anxious to appease the people with him. He had no authority to do so. It really benefits all people to know God's word and walk in His ways. At this time Israel was under the law of God given to them through Moses. That law shows us what sin is and how much we needed a savior to put His word within us. Now thankfully we have Jesus to abide with us who have received Him.

• 1Samuel 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 Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. 
• 11  And Samuel said, What 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; 
• 12  Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. 
• 13  And Samuel said to Saul, Thou 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. 
• 14  But 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. 

After this we will see a different spirit come upon Saul. If only Saul would have repented and submitted to the will of God, his life would not have ended badly. He might have still been removed from being king but he would have avoided the evil spirit that began to torment him later.

• 1Samuel 13:15  And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men. 
• 16  And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash. 
• 17  And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual: 
• 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 Zeboim toward the wilderness. 

The Philistines divided into three groups to defeat and kill the armies of Israel. I often wonder why this has always happened both in the past and in the present day. Why doesn't everyone stay in their own land and leave each other alone. I realize that God will allow this when one nation does so much evil especially to little children but if people are just living from day to day minding their own business why don't people just stay in their own land. It seems that mankind wants to control and rule over others instead of just letting people make their own decisions. We have to have law and order but it puzzles me why those in power start desiring to rule over others in other countries. Also they start making laws that oppress rather than help people in their own countries. Why not care for everyone and just make laws to protect the innocent like the law against murder, stealing and such.

• 1Samuel 13:19  Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears: 
• 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. 
• 21  Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads. 

This is why it is a good idea to become independent and not depend on other countries for things we need to survive. In this case though it seems that the Philistines had taken the smiths and made sure Israel had no way to defend themselves. Israel many times only had God to defend and protect them.

• 1Samuel 13:22  So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there 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. 
• 23  And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash. 

They were in trouble at this point but in the chapters following we will see the beginning of the life of David and how God uses him to defeat the Philistines but first we will see the bravery and determination of Saul's son Jonathan who later became a friend of David. -DC

1 Samuel Chapter 14