1 Samuel 13:4

_AND ALL ISRAEL HEARD SAY THAT SAUL HAD SMITTEN A GARRISON OF THE PHILISTINES AND THAT ISRAEL ALSO WAS HAD IN_ _ AND 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._ No JFB commentary on this verse....

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 13:4. _THE PEOPLE WERE CALLED TOGETHER_] The smiting of this garrison was the commencement of a war, and in effect the shaking off of the Philistine yoke; and now the people found that they must stand together, and fight for their lives....

TO GILGAL - The Wady Suweinit de-bouches into the plain of the Jordan in which Gilgal was situated. For the sanctity of Gilgal, see above, 1 Samuel 11:14 note....

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 ALL ISRAEL HEARD SAY THAT SAUL HAD SMITTEN A GARRISON OF THE PHILISTINES,.... For though it was smitten by Jonathan, yet it was by the order of Saul, and so ascribed to him; it seems to be a concerted thing to fall upon the garrisons of the Philistines, and get them out of their hands, and so deliver Israel entirely from them; but it was not wise for Saul, if he had such a scheme in his head, to disband his large army, as he had lately done: AND THAT ISRAEL ALSO WAS HAD IN ABOMINATION WITH THE PHILISTINES; who were highly incensed against them by this action, and vowed revenge; the name of an Israelite was abhorred by them; and perhaps this action might be attended with much craft and cruelty; and if these garrisons were held by agreement, they might charge them with perfidy, with breach of articles, and so their name was made to stink among them, as the word signifies: AND THE PEO...

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. In the plain of Jordan, east of Jericho, good for water, remote from Philistines, and connected with sacred memories....

_heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison_ HEARD SAYING, SAUL HATH SMITTEN THE GARRISON OF THE PHILISTINES. The first blow in the war of independence was doubtless struck by Jonathan under Saul's direction. _was had in abomination_ The same word meaning literally, "to make one's self stink" occurs in Genesis 34:30; Exodus 5:21; 1Sa 27:12; 2 Samuel 10:6. _the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal_ Gilgal (see note on 1 Samuel 7:15) was probably chosen for the rendezvous as being the usual meeting-place, and the least liable to an attack from the Philistines....