History · Chapter 13 of 31

1 Samuel 13

Facing a massive Philistine force, Saul's army melts away in fear. When Samuel delays past the appointed seven days, Saul offers the burnt sacrifice himself. Samuel arrives and rebukes him for disobeying God's command; because of it, Saul's dynasty will not endure, for the LORD has sought a man after His own heart. Israel is left disarmed, without a smith, as the Philistines threaten.

What happens in 1 Samuel 13

Early in Saul's reign, Jonathan strikes a Philistine garrison, provoking a huge enemy muster with chariots and troops like sand on the shore. Terrified Israelites hide in caves and pits, and some flee across the Jordan. Saul waits at Gilgal the seven days Samuel appointed, but Samuel does not come and the people scatter. Pressured, Saul offers the burnt offering himself. As he finishes, Samuel arrives and asks what he has done.

Saul explains his fear and forcing himself to act. Samuel declares he has acted foolishly and broken God's command; had he obeyed, God would have established his kingdom forever, but now it will not continue, for the LORD has sought a man after His own heart to lead His people. Samuel departs. Saul is left with about six hundred men, and Israel has no swords, for the Philistines allowed no smiths in the land.

1 Samuel 13 in context

These verses open the account of Saul's decline. The chronology in verse one is textually difficult, but the narrative marks the reign's early years. The scene at Gilgal tests whether the king will wait on the LORD's word through the prophet or act on his own.

The note that Israel had no smiths underscores their vulnerability and dependence on God, setting up Jonathan's daring faith in the next chapter.

Main themes of 1 Samuel 13

1 Samuel 13 (KJV)

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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Verses to carry from 1 Samuel 13

“Therefore 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.”1 Samuel 13:12

“And 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.”1 Samuel 13:13

“But 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.”1 Samuel 13:14

Reflection

Under pressure, Saul chose expedience over obedience and forfeited more than he knew. Where are you tempted to force God's hand rather than wait for His word? The King after God's own heart, Jesus, waited perfectly and now reigns; trust His timing when yours feels unbearable.

A prayer from 1 Samuel 13