I Samuel Chapter 13

I Samuel 13 — English translation

Translation: THE JPS TANAKH: Gender-Sensitive Edition. Verse numbers match the Hebrew text below.

1. 1Saul was … years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel two years.
2. 2Saul picked 3,000 Israelites, of whom 2,000 were with Saul in Michmas and in the hill country of Bethel, and 1,000 with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin; the rest of the troops he sent back to their homes.
3. 3Jonathan struck down the Philistine prefect in Geba; and the Philistines heard about it. Saul had the ram’s horn sounded throughout the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear.”
4. 4When all Israel heard that Saul had struck down the Philistine prefect, and that Israel had incurred the wrath of the Philistines, all the people rallied to Saul at Gilgal.
5. 5The Philistines, in turn, gathered to attack Israel: 30,000 chariots and 6,000 riders, uncertain. and troops as numerous as the sands of the seashore. They marched up and encamped at Michmas, east of Beth-aven.
6. 6When Israel’s side saw that they were in trouble—for the troops were hard pressed—the people hid in caves, among thorns, among rocks, in tunnels, and in cisterns.
7. 7Some Hebrews crossed the Jordan, [to] the territory of Gad and Gilead. Saul was still at Gilgal, and the rest of the people rallied to him in alarm.
8. 8He waited seven days, the time that Samuel [had set]. But when Samuel failed to come to Gilgal, and the people began to scatter,
9. 9Saul said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the sacrifice of well-being”; and he presented the burnt offering.
10. 10He had just finished presenting the burnt offering when Samuel arrived; and Saul went out to meet him and welcome him.
11. 11But Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul replied, “I saw the people leaving me and scattering; you had not come at the appointed time, and the Philistines had gathered at Michmas.
12. 12I thought the Philistines would march down against me at Gilgal before I had entreated G OD , so I forced myself to present the burnt offering.”
13. 13Samuel answered Saul, “You acted foolishly in not keeping the commandment that the E TERNAL your God laid upon you! Otherwise G OD would have established your dynasty over Israel forever.
14. 14But now your dynasty will not endure. G OD will seek out a man with a more willing heart, and G OD will appoint him ruler over this covenanted people, because you did not abide by what G OD had commanded you.”
15. 15Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. Saul numbered the troops who remained with him—about 600 strong.
16. 16Saul and his son Jonathan, and the troops who remained with them, stayed in Geba of Benjamin, while the Philistines were encamped at Michmas.
17. 17The raiders came out of the Philistine camp in three columns: One column headed for the Ophrah road that leads to the district of Shual,
18. 18another column headed for the Beth-horon road, and the third column headed for the border road that overlooks the valley of Zeboim toward the desert.
19. 19No smith was to be found in all the land of Israel, for the Philistines were afraid that the Hebrews would make swords or spears.
20. 20So all the Israelites had to go down to the Philistines to have their plowshares, their mattocks, axes, and colters sharpened.
21. 21The charge for sharpening was a pim for plowshares, mattocks, three-pronged forks, and axes, and for setting the goads.
22. 22Thus on the day of the battle, no sword or spear was to be found in the possession of any of the troops with Saul and Jonathan; only Saul and Jonathan had them.
23. 23Now the Philistine garrison had marched out to the pass of Michmas.

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