War with the Philistines

131 Saul was thirty[1] years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-[2] two years.

Other Translations of 1 Samuel 13:1

King James Version

War with the Philistines

131 Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,

English Standard Version

War with the Philistines

131 Saul wasThe number is lacking in Hebrew and Septuagint years old when he began to reign, and he reigned and twoTwo may not be the entire number; something may have dropped out years over Israel.

The Message

War with the Philistines

131 Saul was a young man when he began as king. He was king over Israel for many years.

New King James Version

War with the Philistines

131 Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,

New Living Translation

War with the Philistines

131 Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty-two years.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 13:1

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.

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.

Other Translations of 1 Samuel 13:2

King James Version

2 Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.

English Standard Version

2 Saul chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent home, every man to his tent.

The Message

2 Saul conscripted enough men for three companies of soldiers. He kept two companies under his command at Micmash and in the Bethel hills. The other company was under Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. He sent the rest of the men home.

New King James Version

2 Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the mountains of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent away, every man to his tent.

New Living Translation

2 Saul selected 3,000 special troops from the army of Israel and sent the rest of the men home. He took 2,000 of the chosen men with him to Micmash and the hill country of Bethel. The other 1,000 went with Saul's son Jonathan to Gibeah in the land of Benjamin.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 13:2

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.