131 Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign , and he reigned forty two years over Israel . 2 Now Saul chose for himself 3,000 e men of Israel , of which 2,000 were with Saul in Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel , while 1,000 were with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin . But he sent away the rest of the people , each to his tent . 3 Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba , and the Philistines heard of it. Then Saul blew the trumpet throughout the land , saying , "Let the Hebrews hear ." 4 All Israel heard the news that Saul had smitten the garrison of the Philistines , and also that Israel had become odious to the Philistines . The people were then summoned to Saul at Gilgal . 5 Now the Philistines assembled to fight with Israel , 30,000 e chariots and 6,000 e horsemen , and people like the sand which is on the seashore e in abundance ; and they came up and camped in Michmash , east of Beth-aven . 6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were hard-pressed ), then the people hid themselves in caves , in thickets , in cliffs , in cellars , and in pits . 7 Also some of the Hebrews crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead . But as for Saul , he was still in Gilgal , and all the people followed him trembling .
8 Now he waited seven days , according to the appointed time set by Samuel , but Samuel did not come to Gilgal ; and the people were scattering from him. 9 So Saul said , "Bring to me the burnt offering and the peace offerings ." And he offered the burnt offering . 10 As soon as he finished offering the burnt offering , behold , Samuel came ; and Saul went out to meet him and to greet him. 11 But Samuel said , "What have you done ?" And Saul said , "Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days , and that the Philistines were assembling at Michmash , 12 therefore I said , 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal , and I have not asked the favor of the Lord .' So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering ." 13 Samuel said to Saul , " You have acted foolishly ; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God , which He commanded you, for now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever e . 14 "But now your kingdom shall not endure . The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart , and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people , because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you."
15 Then Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin . And Saul numbered the people who were present with him, about six hundred men . 16 Now Saul and his son Jonathan and the people who were present with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin while the Philistines camped at Michmash . 17 And the raiders came from the camp of the Philistines in three companies : one company turned toward e Ophrah , to the land of Shual , 18 and another company turned toward Beth-horon , and another company turned toward the border which overlooks e the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness . 19 Now no blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel , for the Philistines said , "Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears ." 20 So all Israel went down to the Philistines , each to sharpen his plowshare , his mattock , his axe , and his hoe . 21 The charge was two-thirds of a shekel for the plowshares , the mattocks , the forks e , and the axes , and to fix the hoes . 22 So it came about on the day of battle that neither sword nor spear was found in the hands of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan , but they were found with Saul and his son Jonathan . 23 And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 13:1-24
Commentary on 1 Samuel 13:1-7
(Read 1 Samuel 13:1-7)
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.
Commentary on 1 Samuel 13:8-14
(Read 1 Samuel 13:8-14)
Saul broke the order expressly given by Samuel, see 1 Samuel 10:8, as to what should be done in cases of extremity. Saul offered sacrifice without Samuel, and did it himself, though he was neither priest nor prophet. When charged with disobedience, he justified himself in what he had done, and gave no sign of repentance for it. He would have this act of disobedience pass for an instance of his prudence, and as a proof of his piety. Men destitute of inward piety, often lay great stress on the outward performances of religion. Samuel charges Saul with being an enemy to himself. Those that disobey the commandments of God, do foolishly for themselves. Sin is folly, and the greatest sinners are the greatest fools. Our disposition to obey or disobey God, will often be proved by our behaviour in things which appear small. Men see nothing but Saul's outward act, which seems small; but God saw that he did this with unbelief and distrust of his providence, with contempt of his authority and justice, and with rebellion against the light of his own conscience. Blessed Saviour, may we never, like Saul, bring our poor offerings, or fancied peace-offerings, without looking to thy precious, thy all-sufficient sacrifice! Thou only, O Lord, canst make, or hast made, our peace in the blood of the cross.
Commentary on 1 Samuel 13:15-23
(Read 1 Samuel 13:15-23)
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.