seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
1 Samuel 13:1 Saul was thirty[a] years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-(b) two years.
2 Saul chose three thousand men from Israel; two thousand were with him at Mikmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. The rest of the men he sent back to their homes.
3 Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul had the trumpet blown throughout the land and said, “Let the Hebrews hear!” 4 So all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked the Philistine outpost, and now Israel has become obnoxious to the Philistines.” And the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.
2 Saul chose three thousand men from Israel; two thousand were with him at Mikmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. The rest of the men he sent back to their homes.
3 Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul had the trumpet blown throughout the land and said, “Let the Hebrews hear!” 4 So all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked the Philistine outpost, and now Israel has become obnoxious to the Philistines.” And the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.
a. 1 Samuel 13:1 A few late manuscripts of the Septuagint; Hebrew does not have thirty.
b. 1 Samuel 13:1 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text (see Acts 13:21); Masoretic Text does not have forty-.
So hello Jonathan.... we haven't been properly introduced. Jonathan is Saul's son. Look... Saul's son took on the Philistines [commentaries say that the Philistines are related to the modern day Palestinians]. Looks like the Israelites are still "obnoxious" to the Philistines [Palestinians].
This is from the blueletterbible.org site.
Jonathan was a remarkable military leader. He repeatedly demonstrated the ability to lead a successful attack. Yet this attack merely wakened the Philistines. Israel had enjoyed the "peace" of subjected people: everything will be fine as long as you take your place of subjugation. Through this attack, Jonathan proclaimed, "We won't take our place any longer."
It clearly says, Israel had become an abomination to the Philistines. As long as the Israelites stayed in their weak, defeated "place," the Philistines thought they were great guys. But as soon as the Israelites show some boldness in the LORD, and are willing to battle against the LORD's enemies, the Philistines consider the Israelites an abomination!
All Israel heard it said that Saul had attacked a garrison of the Philistines: Plainly, Saul is taking the credit for Jonathan's bold attack on the garrison of the Philistines. This is a bad sign in the heart and character of Saul. His own sense of insecurity will not allow any of his associates (even his own son!) receive credit. He needs to drink in the praise like a thirsty man drinks water.
And the people were called together to Saul at Gilgal: King Saul gathers the nation together at Gilgal to prepare for battle against the Philistines.
And the people were called together to Saul at Gilgal: King Saul gathers the nation together at Gilgal to prepare for battle against the Philistines.
This is from the easy English site.
The Israelites came from 12 different tribes. They did not have an army. When people had attacked them in the past, all the men left their work. Then they went to fight. For example, this happened in chapter 11. Saul decided to train and pay a proper army. He chose the men that he wanted. He sent the rest of the men home. Jonathan was Saul’s oldest son.
Geba was about 6 kilometres (4 miles) north of Gibeah. Michmash was only 3 kilometres (2 miles) north of Geba. Small groups of Philistine soldiers camped in many places in the land of Israel. They watched the Israelites. Later the Philistines attacked the Israelites. But the Philistines could gather their main army quickly if the Israelites attacked them. Jonathan attacked the small camp of Philistines at Geba. The Philistines were angry. This started a major battle. The Israelites now needed more men to fight in this battle. A trumpet was an instrument that they blew into. In the Old Testament the Israelites gathered when they heard the trumpet. This was how news travelled quickly round the country. This time the trumpet called people together for war. Saul was at Gilgal where the Israelites had made him king in 1 Samuel 11:14-15. Gilgal was about 18 kilometres (11 miles) from Geba.
Geba was about 6 kilometres (4 miles) north of Gibeah. Michmash was only 3 kilometres (2 miles) north of Geba. Small groups of Philistine soldiers camped in many places in the land of Israel. They watched the Israelites. Later the Philistines attacked the Israelites. But the Philistines could gather their main army quickly if the Israelites attacked them. Jonathan attacked the small camp of Philistines at Geba. The Philistines were angry. This started a major battle. The Israelites now needed more men to fight in this battle. A trumpet was an instrument that they blew into. In the Old Testament the Israelites gathered when they heard the trumpet. This was how news travelled quickly round the country. This time the trumpet called people together for war. Saul was at Gilgal where the Israelites had made him king in 1 Samuel 11:14-15. Gilgal was about 18 kilometres (11 miles) from Geba.
So Saul created the first paid Israeli Army. His son took on the Philistines and won. Then Saul took credit for Jonathan's victory.... way to go prettyboy king... way to go... it's crazy...
