1 Samuel 13:1

Saul’s Unlawful Sacrifice

1 Saul¹ 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 ^aMichmash and in the mountains of Bethel, and a thousand were with ^bJonathan in ^cGibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent away, every man to his tent.

3 And Jonathan attacked ^athe garrison of the Philistines that was in ^bGeba, 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 become¹ 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,¹ thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people ^aas the sand which is on the seashore in multitude. And they came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of ^bBeth Aven.

6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in danger (for the people were distressed), then the people ^ahid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pits.

7 And some of the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan to the ^aland of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

Commentaries:

Adam Clarke

<< 1 Samuel 12:25

1 Samuel 13:2 >>

1 Samuel 13:1

Saul reigned one year - A great deal of learned labor has been employed and lost on this verse, to reconcile it with propriety and common sense. I shall not recount the meanings put on it. I think this clause belongs to the preceding chapter, either as a part of the whole, or a chronological note added afterwards; as if the writer had said, These things (related in I Samuel 12:1-25) took place in the first year of Saul' s reign: and then he proceeds in the next place to tell us what took place in the second year, the two most remarkable years of Saul' s reign. In the first he is appointed, anointed, and twice confirmed, viz., at Mizpeh and at Gilgal; in the second, Israel is brought into the lowest state of degradation by the Philistines, Saul acts unconstitutionally, and is rejected from being king. These things were worthy of an especial chronological note.

And when he had reigned - This should begin the chapter, and be read thus: "And when Saul had reigned two years over Israel, he chose him three thousand," etc. The Septuagint has left the clause out of the text entirely, and begins the chapter thus: "And Saul chose to himself three thousand men out of the men of Israel."

Other Adam Clarke entries containing 1 Samuel 13:1:

Matthew 14:6

<< 1 Samuel 12:25

1 Samuel 13:2 >>

DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.

Join 137,180+ readers

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning

Consistent Bible study is hard to start.

The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.

Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.

Saul’s Unlawful Sacrifice

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning