1 Samuel 13:15

_AND 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._ Samuel ... gat him ... unto Gibeah., [The Septuagint has: kai anestee Samoueel kai apeelthen ek Galgaloon kai to kataleimma tou laou anebee opisoo Saoul eis apanteesin opisoo tou laou tou polemistou, And Samuel went up from Gilgal, and the remnant of the people went up after Saul, along with the men of war-ek Galgaloon eis Gabaa Beniamin-from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin.] One manuscript reads 'Saul' instead of "Samuel" at the beginning of this verse. Dr. Walls is of opinion that the Hebrew scribe, while copying, missed a line, and so added to the sentence concerning Samuel that which ended the verse concerning Saul....

15-23 See how politic the Philistines were when they had power; they not only prevented the people of Israel from making weapons of war, but obliged them to depend upon their enemies, even for instruments of husbandry. How impolitic Saul was, who did not, in the beginning of his reign, set himself to redress this. Want of true sense always accompanies want of grace. Sins which appear to us very little, have dangerous consequences. Miserable is a guilty, defenceless nation; much more those who are destitute of the whole armour of God....

Verse 1 Samuel 13:15. _AND SAMUEL AROSE_] Though David, in the Divine purpose, is appointed to be _captain over the people_, yet Saul is not to be removed from the government during his life; Samuel therefore accompanies him to Gibeah, to give him the requisite help in this conjuncture. _ABOUT SIX HUNDRED MEN._] The whole of the Israelitish army at this time, and not one sword or spear among them!...

SAMUEL AROSE - Saul could not return to his own station at Michmash, seeing it was occupied by the Philistines; so, perhaps by Samuel’s advice (since, according to the text, he preceded him there), he effected a junction with Jonathan at Gibeah. Some would read “Saul” instead of “Samuel.”...

SAUL'S PROBATION AND FAILURE (CHS. 13-15.). EXPOSITION WAR AGAINST THE PHILISTINES (verse 1-14:46). 1 SAMUEL 13:1 Saul's age and length of reign. SAUL REIGNED ONE YEAR. This verse literally translated is, "Saul was one year old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years over Israel." In its form it exactly follows the usual statement prefixed to each king's reign, of his age at his accession, and the years of his kingdom (2 Samuel 2:10; 2Sa 5:4; 1 Kings 14:21;...

AND SAMUEL AROSE,.... Seemingly in wrath and displeasure, not staying to offer up the peace offerings which remained; and though no mention is made of Saul's going with him, yet it seems as if he did, or at least quickly followed him, as appears from the next verse: AND GOT HIM UP FROM GILGAL UNTO GIBEAH OF BENJAMIN; the native place of Saul, thereby directing Saul where he should go, and which might be a stronger place than Gilgal; or however where he might expect to be joined by more persons of his own tribe, as well as in the first place protect and defend that; and it looks by Samuel's going thither, though he was displeased with Saul, yet that he did not intend to forsake him directly and entirely: AND SAUL NUMBERED THE PEOPLE THAT WERE PRESENT WITH HIM, ABOUT SIX HUNDRED MEN: which was done either before he left Gilgal, or as soon as he came to Gibeah; so great a desertion was th...

6. THE FIRST FAILURE OF SAUL AND ITS RESULTS CHAPTER 13 _ 1. The failure of Saul (1 Samuel 13:1)_ 2. Samuel's sentence (1 Samuel 13:10) 3. Israel's deplorable condition (1 Samuel 13:15) Omit the first verse of this chapter as it does not belong into the text. In self-confidence Saul has dismissed the greater part of the people; only 2000 remained with him and 1000 with his son Jonathan. Saul is now passing through a test. Hath he true faith which counts and depends on God? Is he obedient to His word as given by the prophet? Jonathan appears here for the first time. His name means “the Lord hath given.” He is the opposite from his poor father; the son is a man of real faith

1 SAMUEL 13, 14. SAUL'S EARLY STRUGGLES WITH THE PHILISTINES. (J), chiefly from the ancient narrative concerning Saul. Editorial notes, or additions from other sources, are 1 Samuel 13:1; 1 Samuel 7_ b,_ but as for Saul. Benjamin, 1 Samuel 13:15_ a_; 1 Samuel 13:19; 1 Samuel 14:47. 1 SAMUEL 13:1. If the present Hebrew text were regarded as correct and complete, the translation (_cf.mg._) would be, And Saul was a year old when he became king, and he reigned two years over Israel. Both periods are absurd. The edi

GILGAL. The Septuagint preserves _a Homceoteleuton_ here, adding after "Gilgal [and the rest of the people went up after Saul to meet the army when they arrived from] Gilgal "; the eye of the scribe going back to this last "Gilgal" instead of to the one in 1 Samuel 13:15. PRESENT. found. MEN. Hebrew. _'ish._ App-14....

The Philistine invasion 15. _And Samuel arose_ The Sept. has a fuller text, which gives the connexion more clearly thus; "And Samuel arose and departed from Gilgal. And the remnant of the people went up after Saul to join the men of war [or, to the battle after the men of war]: and when they were come from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin, Saul numbered, &c." After Samuel's departure Saul marched up and effected a junction with Jonathan at Gibeah or Geba. _about six hundred men_ Cp. 1 Samuel 14:2. Saul's precipitate action failed to produce the desired result of holding the army together....