1 Samuel 13:3

_AND 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._ Jonathan (God-given) smote the garrison of the Philistines ... in Geba. Geba and Gibeah were towns in Benjamin very close to each other (Joshua 18:24; Joshua 18:28). From the similarity of the names, they are apt to be confounded, and they are so in this chapter: for while the two places are accurately distinguished х_ GIB`AH _ (H1390), Gibeah (1 Samuel 13:2), and _ GEBA`_ (H1387) ...

1-7 Saul reigned one year, and nothing particular happened; but in his second year the events recorded in this chapter took place. For above a year he gave the Philistine time to prepare for war, and to weaken and to disarm the Israelites. When men are lifted up in self-sufficiency, they are often led into folly. The chief advantages of the enemies of the church are derived from the misconduct of its professed friends. When Saul at length sounded an alarm, the people, dissatisfied with his management, or terrified by the power of the enemy, did not come to him, or speedily deserted him....

Verse 1 Samuel 13:3. _JONATHAN SMOTE_] He appears to have taken this garrison by surprise, for his men had no arms for a regular battle, or taking the place by storm. This is the first place in which this brave and excellent man appears; a man who bears one of the most amiable characters in the Bible. _LET THE HEBREWS HEAR._] Probably this means the people who _dwelt_ _beyond Jordan_, who might very naturally be termed here העברים _haibrim_, from עבר _abar, he passed over_; those who are beyond the river Jordan: as Abraham was called עברי _Ibri_ because he dwelt beyond the river Euphrates....

This was the first act in the war of independence, and probably the first feat in arms of the young hero Jonathan....

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 JONATHAN SMOTE THE GARRISON OF THE PHILISTINES THAT WAS IN GEBA,.... Not the same with Gibeah of Benjamin, as Jarchi; for it can hardly be thought that Jonathan should place himself with his thousand men where the Philistines had a garrison; or that if this was the same with that in the preceding verse, that it should be called by another name in this; but Gibeah and Geba were two places, as Kimchi observes, both indeed in the tribe of Benjamin, and it is very probable not far from one another; see Joshua 18:24. This seems to be the same with the hill of God, where was a garrison of the Philistines, 1 Samuel 10:5, who after their defeat by Samuel contented themselves with some strong holds and garrisons in some parts of the land to keep Israel in awe; the Targum understands this of a single person, a gov

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

JONATHAN. See note on 1 Samuel 18:1....

_the garrison of the Philistines_ See note on 1 Samuel 10:5. _Saul blew the trumpet_ Heralds blowing trumpets to attract attention carried the news of Jonathan's daring exploit throughout the country to prepare the people for a speedy summons to fight for their liberty. Cp. Judges 3:27; Jdg 6:34; 2 Samuel 20:1. _Let the Hebrews hear_ The name "Hebrews" is generally employed only by foreigners, or in speaking to foreigners. See note on 1 Samuel 4:6. If the text is correct, it is here used (cp. 1 Samuel 13:7) to place the nationality of Israe