1 Samuel 13:1

War with the Philistines

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

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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.