American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
1 Samuel 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.
Reference
📍 Michmash
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.
Reference
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.
Reference
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.
Reference
📍 Michmash
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.
Reference
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.
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Samuel 10:8
9
And Saul said, Bring here a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
Reference
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Samuel 15:13
11
And Samuel said, What have you done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you came not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
Reference
📍 Michmash
12
Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now on me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
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 would the LORD have established your kingdom on Israel for ever.
Reference
14
But now your kingdom shall not continue: the LORD has sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be captain over his people, because you have not kept that which the LORD commanded you.
Reference
Kingdom
Acts 13:22
1 Samuel 15:28
1 Samuel 16:1
2 Samuel 5:2
Parallel theme
Psalm 78:70
Acts 7:46
1 Samuel 9:16
References Lord
1 Samuel 16:12
2 Kings 20:5
1 Samuel 2:30
15
And Samuel arose, and got him up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.
Reference
16
And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, stayed in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
📍 Michmash
People
17
And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned to the way that leads to Ophrah, to the land of Shual:
Reference
📍 Shual
18
And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looks to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
Reference
📍 Valley of Zeboim
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:
Reference
20
But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his ax, 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.
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Judges 5:8
Summary of 1 Samuel 13
This chapter marks a major turning point in Saul's reign. After beginning as a humble and Spirit-empowered leader, Saul now faces a serious test of obedience. The chapter begins with Jonathan attacking a Philistine outpost, which causes the Philistines to gather a massive army against Israel.
The Israelites become afraid as they see the size and strength of the Philistine forces. Many hide in caves and flee across the Jordan River. Saul waits at Gilgal for Samuel as instructed, but when Samuel does not arrive quickly enough, Saul gives in to fear and offers the sacrifice himself. This was a serious act of disobedience because Saul ignored the instructions God had given through His prophet.
When Samuel arrives, Saul explains that he acted because the people were scattering and the enemy was approaching. However, Samuel explains that obedience is more important than religious actions performed without God's approval. Saul's impatience reveals that he is more concerned with controlling the situation than trusting God's timing.
Samuel tells Saul that his kingdom will not continue and that God is seeking a leader with a heart devoted to Him. This statement introduces David, who would later become Israel's great king.
The chapter ends by describing Israel's military weakness. The Philistines control iron technology, leaving Israel with very few weapons. Yet this weakness prepares the way for God to demonstrate His power through faithful individuals like Jonathan.
The main lesson of this chapter is that leadership success depends not only on position or ability but on obedience to God. Saul had the title of king, but his failure to trust God began the decline of his reign.
Saul's failure creates the need for a different kind of king. God is not looking merely for someone who appears strong or impressive but for someone whose heart is devoted to Him. This prepares the way for David, whose life becomes central to God's covenant promises and the future coming of the Messiah.
The chapter reminds readers that God's leaders must submit to God's authority rather than use their position to act independently.
This chpter underline that obedience to God is more important than religious actions performed without faith.
Fear and impatience can lead people away from God's will, but faithful obedience brings lasting blessing.
The Israelites become afraid as they see the size and strength of the Philistine forces. Many hide in caves and flee across the Jordan River. Saul waits at Gilgal for Samuel as instructed, but when Samuel does not arrive quickly enough, Saul gives in to fear and offers the sacrifice himself. This was a serious act of disobedience because Saul ignored the instructions God had given through His prophet.
When Samuel arrives, Saul explains that he acted because the people were scattering and the enemy was approaching. However, Samuel explains that obedience is more important than religious actions performed without God's approval. Saul's impatience reveals that he is more concerned with controlling the situation than trusting God's timing.
Samuel tells Saul that his kingdom will not continue and that God is seeking a leader with a heart devoted to Him. This statement introduces David, who would later become Israel's great king.
The chapter ends by describing Israel's military weakness. The Philistines control iron technology, leaving Israel with very few weapons. Yet this weakness prepares the way for God to demonstrate His power through faithful individuals like Jonathan.
The main lesson of this chapter is that leadership success depends not only on position or ability but on obedience to God. Saul had the title of king, but his failure to trust God began the decline of his reign.
Saul's failure creates the need for a different kind of king. God is not looking merely for someone who appears strong or impressive but for someone whose heart is devoted to Him. This prepares the way for David, whose life becomes central to God's covenant promises and the future coming of the Messiah.
The chapter reminds readers that God's leaders must submit to God's authority rather than use their position to act independently.
This chpter underline that obedience to God is more important than religious actions performed without faith.
Fear and impatience can lead people away from God's will, but faithful obedience brings lasting blessing.