1 SAMUEL LESSON 13


     We will begin this lesson in I Samuel 13:1 "Saul reigned one
year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel," I Samuel 13:2
"Saul chose him three thousand [men] of Israel; [whereof] two thousand
were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Beth-el, and a thousand were
with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he
sent every man to his tent."

     The first year of Saul's reign was a time of learning for him. He
had never been trained to be a king. He was unsure of himself at
first, and it took two years for him to settle into the job as king.
At the end of the second year, he chose 3,000 men to serve him. This
was, probably, like an honor guard, that was chosen out of the entire
army. In case of a major war, the other men would be called. This
3,000 would be ready at all times. Even in peace, they need an army
ready instantly. Two thousand of these men stayed with Saul.  The
other thousand, he sent to Gibeah with his son, Jonathan. These men
were well-trained, and were the choicest of the soldiers. Sometimes, a
few well-trained can do more than a large army, who are not trained.

     I 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."

     This seemed to be an outpost for the Philistines. If Jonathan
could take and hold this garrison, it would be a deterrent for the
Philistines to attack Israel. This was on the way, they would have
come if they attacked. When the trumpet blows, this calls all of
Israel to war. When the Hebrews hear the trumpet, they know it is a
call to arms.

     I Samuel 13:4 "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."

     This was a favorite place of assembly for all of the people. Saul
knew the terrible hate, that the Philistines had for Israel. He, also,
knew that the Philistines were planning a war against Israel. Saul
made the first strike, or at least Jonathan struck the first blow
successfully. Since Saul is king, it could be classified as his
victory, as well.

     I Samuel 13:5  "And 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
Beth-aven."

     Saul had moved to Gilgal from Michmash. These, mentioned above,
are a large, well-equipped army, that the Philistines brought up
quickly.  This proves they were already planning to attack Israel.

     I Samuel 13:6 "When 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."

     We see, from this, that the people had soon forgotten their
victory over the Ammonites. They are badly frightened by all of this
war machinery, and run and hide in the hills and caves. We remember
that, Saul had 2,000 chosen men stationed here to fight if necessary.

     I Samuel 13:7 "And [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."

     This is speaking of the people, who did not hide in the caves and
pits. It seems, they quickly ran to Gilgal, where Saul had gone to
bring the Hebrew army together. Some of the Hebrews had gone over the
Jordan, and hid in Gad and Gilead. They do not seem to be very brave.

     I Samuel 13:8  "And 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."

     It seems, from this, that Samuel advised Saul to stay seven days
at Gilgal. Samuel had not gone with them to Gilgal. This would be
Israel's war for independence from these Philistines.

     I Samuel 13:9 "And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to
me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering."

     It appears that, Saul decided that Samuel was not coming, and
offered the burnt offering, himself.

     I Samuel 13:10 "And 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."

     We see that Saul still liked for Samuel to decide many of the
things they did. Perhaps, he wanted to make sure, these things were in
the will of God. This is the seventh day, that Samuel had told them to
wait until. Saul runs out to meet him to receive a blessing.

     I Samuel 13:11  "And 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;"

     Instead of a blessing, Saul receives a reprimand from Samuel.
The seven days had been a test for Saul. Saul got impatient, and
sinned, when he offered the burnt offering himself. Samuel cannot
believe that Saul would take it upon himself to sacrifice. Saul was a
civil leader, not a spiritual leader. He had no right to sacrifice. We
see that Saul gives excuses, some of which are not true. Samuel did
come on the seventh day, as he had said he would. Even had he not
come, Saul should not have sacrificed.

     I Samuel 13:12 "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."

     Perhaps, Saul's fear caused him to do this thing. Saul felt that
the sacrifice should be made before the battle, and the Philistines
were bearing down upon them. In this moment of fear, he had done a
terrible thing.

     I Samuel 13:13 "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."

     The most important thing for Saul to do, was to listen to Samuel
on spiritual matters, and do exactly as he was commanded. He had
broken the commandment of the LORD spoken through Samuel. This will
mean that Saul's kingship will not last forever. He will be replaced
by someone more pleasing to God.

     I Samuel 13:14 "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."

     This is speaking of God choosing David, but he would be a mere
child at this time. God knows the end, as well as the beginning. Even
though David has not been anointed yet, God knows he will be. God's
disappointment in Saul is shown through Samuel's words here. Certainly
the man that God would choose, would not be perfect, but would love
God, and try to keep His commandments.

     I 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."

     It seems that, Saul went back home, and Samuel went by there on
his way to his home. Saul had 2,000 men surrounding him. This may mean
that the 2,000 men he had were, now, dwindled down to 600.

     I Samuel 13:16 "And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people
[that were] present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the
Philistines encamped in Michmash."

     We see that, Jonathan has come in to help Saul fight against the
Philistines, if they attack. They have grouped around the city, where
they live.

     I Samuel 13:17  "And 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:"
     The spoilers, of course, are speaking of the Philistines. They
have divided themselves into three groups to come against Saul and his
people. It appears, they could have taken Saul better, when he was
coming home, or when Jonathan was coming home, but they waited to
taunt Saul the more. Now, they feel they have already defeated Saul,
and they will attack him at will.

     I Samuel 13:18 "And another company turned the way [to] Beth-
horon: and another company turned [to] the way of the border that
looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness."

     It seems that, the Philistines were so sure they would win the
battle, that they divided their men into three groups to attack three
different fronts at once.

     I Samuel 13:19  "Now there was no smith found throughout all the
land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make [them]
swords or spears:"

     This is not the entire land of Israel, that did not have smiths
to make swords or spears. It seems, this particular area had no
smiths.  These Philistines felt as if they were going against an army
without weapons.

     I Samuel 13:20 "But all the Israelites went down to the
Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his
axe, and his mattock." I Samuel 13:21 "Yet they had a file for the
mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes,
and to sharpen the goads."

     It appears that, the Benjamites had been dependent upon the
Philistines to sharpen their farm instruments. We are not told why
this condition existed. Perhaps, the Philistines had some kind of hold
on the Benjamites. It seems, they did have small files to keep their
farm instruments sharp, after they had been sharpened.

     I Samuel 13:22 "So 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."

     This was an ill-equipped army of a handful of men. Saul and
Jonathan were the only two who had a sword and a spear. The other men
had clubs and crude instruments of their trade.

     I Samuel 13:23 "And the garrison of the Philistines went out to
the passage of Michmash."

     This seems that, the Philistines have cut off the pass, to keep
the people of Saul from escaping, or getting help from that direction.
This is a very bad situation for Saul and his men.



                        1 Samuel 13 Questions


1.  When did Saul choose out men to make up his guard?
2.  How many men did he choose for his army?
3.  He sent 1,000 men with _____________.
4.  Jonathan smote the ___________ of the Philistines.
5.  What did Saul do, to bring the other Hebrews together?
6.  The blowing of the trumpet was a ________ to __________.
7.  Where did Saul go, to meet with all the people?
8.  Why had Saul made the first strike against the Philistines?
9.  How many chariots did the Philistines bring, to fight against Saul
    and his men?
10. How many horsemen did they bring?
11. Where had Saul gone from Michmash?
12. The people have already forgotten the victory over the __________.
13. Where did they run and hide from the Philistines?
14. Some of the people went over Jordan to the land of _______.
15. Who told Saul to wait 7 days?
16. What terrible thing did Saul do, spoken of in verse 9?
17, Why did Saul do this?
18. When did Samuel come?
19. Why did Saul run out to meet him?
20. What did Saul receive from Samuel?
21. What excuse did Saul give for offering  the burnt offering?
22. Saul was a _______ leader, not a _________ leader.
23. Perhaps, Saul's ________ caused him to do this thing.
24. What has this moment of foolishness cost Saul?
25. Who is verse 14 speaking of being chosen?
26. How many did Saul number in verse 15?
27. Where did Saul and Jonathan abide?
28. The spoilers of the Philistines came out of the camp in ________
    ___________.
29. There was no _________ found throughout all the land of Israel.
30. Who had the Israelites been dependent upon, to sharpen their farm
    instruments?
31. Who were the only people, who had a sword, or a spear?