1 Samuel Chapter 13

Updated: September 14, 2025

War with the Philistines

1Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,

2Saul 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. 3And 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. 4And 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.

5And 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. 6When 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. 7And 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.

Saul's Unlawful Sacrifice

8And 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. 9And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.

Samuel Rebukes Saul

10And 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. 11And 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; 12Therefore 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. 13And 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. 14But 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.

15And 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.

Philistines Raid Israel

16And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash. 17And 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: 18And 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.

Israel without Weapons

19Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears: 20But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock. 21Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads. 22So 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. 23And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

War with the Philistines

1 Saul reigned a year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,

2 Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel, of which two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the Mount of Bethel, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. 3 Jonathan struck the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba: and the Philistines heard of it. Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!” 4 All Israel heard that Saul had struck the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel was had in abomination with the Philistines. The people were gathered together after Saul to Gilgal.

5 The Philistines assembled themselves 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, eastward of Beth Aven. 6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were distressed), then the people hid themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in coverts, and in pits. 7 Now some of the Hebrews had gone over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead; but as for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

Saul’s Unlawful Sacrifice

8 He stayed seven days, according to the time set by Samuel: but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. 9 Saul said, “Bring here the burnt offering to me, and the peace offerings.” He offered the burnt offering.

10 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 greet him. 11 Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you didn’t come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines assembled themselves together at Michmash; 12 therefore I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down on me to Gilgal, and I haven’t entreated the favor of Yahweh.’ I forced myself therefore, and offered the burnt offering.” 13 Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of Yahweh your God, which he commanded you; for now Yahweh would have established your kingdom on Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. Yahweh has sought for himself a man after his own heart, and Yahweh has appointed him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept that which Yahweh commanded you.”

15 Samuel arose, and went from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. Saul numbered the people who were present with him, about six hundred men.

Israel without Weapons

16 Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people who were present with them, stayed in Geba of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash. 17 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; 18 and another company turned the way to Beth Horon; and another company turned the way of the border that looks down on the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

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 plowshare, mattock, axe, and sickle; 21 yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the plowshares, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to set 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 who were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found. 23 The garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.

War with the Philistines

1 Saul was thirty years old a when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years. b 2 He chose for himself three thousand men of Israel: Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. And the rest of the troops he sent away, each to his own home.

3 Then Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. So Saul blew the ram’s horn throughout the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!”

4 And all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked an outpost of the Philistines, and now Israel has become a stench to the Philistines!” Then the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.

5 Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand c chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

6 Seeing that they were in danger because their troops were hard-pressed, the men of Israel hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in cellars and cisterns. 7 Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul, however, remained at Gilgal, and all his troops were quaking in fear.

Saul’s Unlawful Sacrifice

8 And Saul waited seven days for the time appointed by Samuel, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the troops began to desert Saul. 9 So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.” And he offered up the burnt offering.

10 Just as he finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.

11 “What have you done?” Samuel asked.

And Saul replied, “When I saw that the troops were deserting me, and that you did not come at the appointed time and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash, 12 I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will descend upon me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the LORD.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”

13 “You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. 14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.”

15 Then Samuel set out from Gilgal and went up to Gibeah in Benjamin. d And Saul numbered the troops who were with him, about six hundred men.

Israel without Weapons

16 Now Saul and Jonathan his son and the troops with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin, while the Philistines camped at Michmash. 17 And raiders went out of the Philistine camp in three divisions. One headed toward Ophrah in the land of Shual, 18 another toward Beth-horon, and the third down the border road overlooking the Valley of Zeboim facing the wilderness.

19 And no blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “The Hebrews must not be allowed to make swords or spears.” 20 Instead, all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, axes, and sickles. e 21 The charge was a pim f for sharpening a plowshare or mattock, a third of a shekel for sharpening a pitchfork or an axe, and a third of a shekel for repointing an oxgoad. g

22 So on the day of battle not a sword or spear could be found in the hands of the troops with Saul and Jonathan; only Saul and his son Jonathan had weapons.

23 And a garrison of the Philistines had gone out to the pass at Michmash.

Footnotes:

1 a A few late LXX manuscripts; MT Saul was a son of a year
1 b Or over Israel forty years  (see Acts 13:21); MT over Israel two years
5 c Some LXX manuscripts and Syriac; Hebrew thirty thousand
15 d LXX Then Samuel set out, and the rest of the people went up after Saul to meet the army; they went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin.
20 e LXX; Hebrew and plowshares ; (so plowshare appears twice in the Hebrew).
21 f A pim  possibly refers to a polished stone weighing approximately 0.25 ounces or 7 grams found in excavations. This is equivalent to about two-thirds of a shekel and likely refers to the price charged by the Philistines for the services listed.
21 g Hebrew does not include the currency unit of a shekel  charged for sharpening a pitchfork, an axe, or an oxgoad; alternatively, possibly a third of a pim  for each.

War with the Philistines

1A son of a year is Saul in his reigning, yea, two years he hath reigned over Israel,

2and Saul chooseth for himself three thousand men out of Israel; and two thousand are with Saul in Michmash, and in the hill-country of Beth-El; and a thousand have been with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin; and the remnant of the people he hath sent each to his tents. 3And Jonathan smiteth the garrison of the Philistines which is in Geba, and the Philistines hear, and Saul hath blown with a trumpet through all the land, saying, 'Let the Hebrews hear.' 4And all Israel have heard, saying, 'Saul hath smitten the garrison of the Philistines,' and also, 'Israel hath been abhorred by the Philistines;' and the people are called after Saul to Gilgal.

5And the Philistines have been gathered to fight with Israel; thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and a people as the sand which is on the sea-shore for multitude; and they come up and encamp in Michmash, east of Beth-Aven. 6And the men of Israel have seen that they are distressed, that the people hath been oppressed, and the people hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits. 7And Hebrews have passed over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead; and Saul is yet in Gilgal, and all the people have trembled after him.

Saul's Unlawful Sacrifice

8And he waiteth seven days, according to the appointment with Samuel, and Samuel hath not come to Gilgal, and the people are scattered from off him. 9And Saul saith, 'Bring nigh unto me the burnt-offering, and the peace-offerings;' and he causeth the burnt-offering to ascend.

Samuel Rebukes Saul

10And it cometh to pass at his completing to cause the burnt-offering to ascend, that lo, Samuel hath come, and Saul goeth out to meet him, to bless him; 11and Samuel saith, 'What hast thou done?' And Saul saith, 'Because I saw that the people were scattered from off me, and thou hadst not come at the appointment of the days, and the Philistines are gathered to Michmash, 12and I say, Now do the Philistines come down unto me to Gilgal, and the face of Jehovah I have not appeased; and I force myself, and cause the burnt-offering to ascend.' 13And Samuel saith unto Saul, 'Thou hast been foolish; thou hast not kept the command of Jehovah thy God, which He commanded thee, for now had Jehovah established thy kingdom over Israel unto the age; 14and, now, thy kingdom doth not stand, Jehovah hath sought for Himself a man according to His own heart, and Jehovah chargeth him for leader over His people, for thou hast not kept that which Jehovah commanded thee.'

15And Samuel riseth, and goeth up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin; and Saul inspecteth the people who are found with him, about six hundred men,

Philistines Raid Israel

16and Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people who are found with them, are abiding in Gibeah of Benjamin, and the Philistines have encamped in Michmash. 17And the destroyer goeth out from the camp of the Philistines -- three detachments; the one detachment turneth unto the way of Ophrah, unto the land of Shual; 18and the one detachment turneth the way of Beth-Horon, and the one detachment turneth the way of the border which is looking on the valley of the Zeboim, toward the wilderness.

Israel without Weapons

19And an artificer is not found in all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, 'Lest the Hebrews make sword or spear;' 20and all Israel go down to the Philistines, to sharpen each his ploughshare, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock; 21and there hath been the file for mattocks, and for coulters, and for three-pronged rakes, and for the axes, and to set up the goads. 22And it hath been, in the day of battle, that there hath not been found sword and spear in the hand of any of the people who are with Saul and with Jonathan -- and there is found to Saul and to Jonathan his son. 23And the station of the Philistines goeth out unto the passage of Michmash.

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The F.O.G Commentary

When Good Kings Make Bad Choices

What’s 1 Samuel 13 about?

This is the story of King Saul’s first major royal failure – a moment of impatience that cost him his dynasty. When facing a military crisis, Saul takes matters into his own hands and performs a sacrifice only priests should offer, revealing the fatal flaw that would define his reign.

The Full Context

The chapter opens with what should have been Saul’s shining moment. Here’s Israel’s first king, two years into his reign, finally ready to take on the Philistines who had been oppressing his people for decades. The stage is set for a great victory – Saul has assembled his army, his son Jonathan has just struck a bold blow against a Philistine garrison, and the people are rallying to their king. This should be the stuff of legend.

But 1 Samuel 13 sits at a crucial turning point in Israel’s history. The people had demanded a king “like all the nations” in 1 Samuel 8, and God had given them Saul – tall, handsome, and impressive. Yet this chapter reveals the fundamental tension in Israel’s monarchy: would their king operate under God’s authority, or would he act like the pagan kings around them? The author is showing us that even good intentions and military necessity can’t justify stepping outside God’s established order. What unfolds is a masterclass in how fear and impatience can derail even the most promising leadership.

What the Ancient Words Tell Us

The Hebrew in this chapter is loaded with irony that would have made ancient readers wince. When Saul “forced himself” (’aphaq) to offer the burnt offering in verse 12, he’s using language that suggests violent compulsion – as if circumstances literally twisted his arm. But here’s what’s fascinating: this same root word appears in contexts of sexual violation elsewhere in Scripture. Saul is essentially saying he was “forced” to violate the sacred boundary between king and priest.

Grammar Geeks

The phrase “I forced myself” uses the Hebrew ’aphaq, which carries connotations of violence or violation. Saul isn’t just saying he felt compelled – he’s admitting to forcing his way across a sacred boundary that should never be crossed.

The timing language is equally telling. When Samuel says he’ll come “at the time appointed” (moed), he’s using the same word used for Israel’s sacred festivals. This isn’t just a casual appointment – it’s a divinely ordained moment. Saul’s impatience isn’t just inconvenient; it’s a rejection of God’s sacred timing.

What Would the Original Audience Have Heard?

To ancient Israelites, this story would have been absolutely shocking. The priesthood wasn’t just a job – it was a sacred bloodline established by God himself. Only descendants of Aaron could offer sacrifices, and everyone knew this. It would be like watching your mayor suddenly decide to perform heart surgery because the doctor was running late.

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Did You Know?

In ancient Israel, crossing the line between royal and priestly authority was considered so serious that King Uzziah was struck with leprosy for burning incense in the temple (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). The audience would have been holding their breath, waiting for divine judgment.

But there’s something even deeper happening here. The original audience would have recognized this as the classic pattern of pagan kingship. In surrounding nations, kings regularly served as high priests – it was part of the job description. Saul is essentially acting like a Mesopotamian or Egyptian ruler who controlled both political and religious power. The Israelites are watching their king become exactly what they thought they wanted when they demanded to be “like all the nations.”

Wrestling with the Text

But wait – wasn’t Saul in an impossible situation? His army was deserting (verse 8), the Philistines were advancing, and Samuel was nowhere to be found. Any reasonable military commander would have done exactly what Saul did, right?

This is where the story gets uncomfortable, because it forces us to confront a hard truth: good intentions and desperate circumstances don’t justify disobedience. Samuel had given clear instructions to wait seven days, and Saul made it through six and three-quarters of them before his nerve failed.

Wait, That’s Strange…

Notice that Samuel shows up literally right after Saul finishes the sacrifice (verse 10). Was this divine timing meant to test Saul’s faith to the very last moment? The text suggests that if Saul had waited just a little longer, everything would have been different.

The Hebrew narrative technique here is brilliant. The author creates maximum tension by showing us Saul’s reasoning – it all sounds so logical! But then Samuel’s immediate arrival after the sacrifice reveals that Saul’s timing was off by mere minutes, not days. It’s a masterpiece of tragic irony.

How This Changes Everything

Samuel’s response to Saul is devastating in its finality: “You have done foolishly… your kingdom shall not continue” (verses 13-14). With those words, Saul’s dynasty dies before it’s barely begun. But here’s what makes this so profound – God doesn’t just remove Saul’s kingdom, he’s already chosen his replacement: “a man after his own heart.”

“The tragedy of Saul isn’t that he was evil, but that he was almost great – undone by a single moment when fear overruled faith.”

This chapter establishes a principle that will echo through Israel’s entire monarchical history: the king is under the King. Unlike pagan rulers who claimed divine authority, Israel’s kings were always meant to be vice-regents, operating under God’s ultimate authority. When they forgot this – when they began acting like gods themselves – the kingdom suffered.

What makes Saul’s failure even more tragic is that it comes from a place of genuine concern for his people. He’s not being selfish or power-hungry; he’s trying to save his army. But the text suggests that good motives aren’t enough when they’re divorced from faithful obedience.

Key Takeaway

Sometimes the most dangerous temptation isn’t to do something obviously wrong, but to do the right thing in the wrong way, at the wrong time, or with the wrong authority.

1 Samuel Chapter 13

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