1 Samuel 13

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 13 of 31

¹ It was one year since Saul began to reign, and he reigned two more years over Israel.

² And Saul chose for himself three thousand out of Israel. And two thousand were with Saul in Michmash, and in the hills of Bethel. And a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. And he sent the rest of the people each man to his tent.

³ And Jonathan struck the garrison of the Philistines in Geba. And the Philistines heard. And Saul blew with the rams' horn throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.

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Chapter Summary

Saul's selected band. He calls the Hebrews to Gilgal against the Philistines. The distress of the Israelites. Saul, weary of staying for Samuel, sacrifices. Samuel reproves him.

Key Hebrew Words

נְצִ֤יב pillar H5333 · TWOT 1398b

מַצַּ֣ב standing-place H4673 · TWOT 1398c

שְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים thirty H7970 · TWOT 2403d

רֶ֨כֶב֙ chariotry H7393 · TWOT 2163a

קִדְמַ֖ת front H6926 · TWOT 1988a

People & Context

Jonathan Strikes the Philistine Garrison

Saul forms a standing army of 3,000. Jonathan strikes a Philistine garrison in Geba, prompting Saul to blow the ram's horn and summon all Israel to Gi…

Philistines Gather at Michmash

The Philistines amass a massive army of chariots and horsemen at Michmash. Terrified Israelites hide in caves, crevices, and tombs, while some cross t…

Saul Unlawfully Offers a Sacrifice

Waiting seven days in Gilgal as his troops scatter and Samuel delays, Saul forces himself to unlawfully offer the burnt offering.

Timeline

Jonathan Strikes the Philistine Garrison

Saul forms a standing army of 3,000. Jonathan strikes a Philistine garrison in Geba, prompting Saul to blow the ram's horn and summon all Israel to Gilgal.

1 Samuel 13:1-4

Philistines Gather at Michmash

The Philistines amass a massive army of chariots and horsemen at Michmash. Terrified Israelites hide in caves, crevices, and tombs, while some cross the Jordan.

1 Samuel 13:5-7

Saul Unlawfully Offers a Sacrifice

Waiting seven days in Gilgal as his troops scatter and Samuel delays, Saul forces himself to unlawfully offer the burnt offering.

1 Samuel 13:8-9

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Word-for-word literal translation with Hebrew interlinear, Strong's numbers, and audio.

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