Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 13:4
To Gilgal - The Wady Suweinit de-bouches into the plain of the Jordan in which Gilgal was situated. For the sanctity of Gilgal, see above, 1 Samuel 11:14 note. read more
1 Samuel 13:4-9 Web
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 13:5
Thirty thousand chariots - Probably a copyist’s mistake for 300. (Compare, for a similar numerical variation, 1 Chronicles 18:4 with 2 Samuel 8:4.)Eastward from Bethaven - Or more simply “to the east of Bethaven,” which Joshua 7:2 lay “on the east side of Bethel.” Bethaven (thought to be the same as Deir Diwan) lay between Bethel and Michmash, which had been evacuated by Saul. read more
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 13:6
In thickets - literally, “among thorns.”High places - Not the high places for worship, but holds or towers Judges 9:46, Judges 9:49; that particular kind of tower which was the work of the old Canaanite inhabitants, and which remained as ruins in the time of Saul. read more
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 13:7
The words “some of,” which are the emphatic words in the King James Version, as distinguishing those who crossed the Jordan from those who hid themselves, are not in the Hebrew at all. The “Hebrews” seem to be distinguished from the “men of Israel” in 1 Samuel 13:6. (Compare 1 Samuel 14:21.) read more
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 13:8
Had appointed - This appointment has of course nothing whatever to do with that made years before 1 Samuel 10:8, the keeping of which is expressly mentioned at the natural time 1 Samuel 11:15. But Samuel had again, on this later occasion, made an appointment at the end of seven days. It seems to have been as a trial of faith and obedience, under which, this time, Saul unhappily broke down. read more
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 13:9
There is a difference of opinion among commentators whether Saul himself offered the sacrifices prepared for Samuel, thus entrenching upon the priest’s office; or whether he ordered the priests to sacrifice, as Solomon did. In the latter case his sin consisted in disobeying the word of God, who had bidden him wait until Samuel came. And this is, on the whole, the more probable; since Samuel’s rebuke says nothing of any assumption of priesthood, such as we read in the case of Uzziah 2 Chronicles... read more
Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 13:3-4
1 Samuel 13:3-4. Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines The Philistines, though subdued by Samuel at Eben-ezer, and driven out of the country, yet still retained possession of some strong-holds. Saul blew the trumpet That is, he sent messengers to tell them all what Jonathan had done, and how the Philistines were enraged at it, and therefore what necessity there was of gathering themselves together for their own defence. Israel heard that Saul had smitten, &c. Perhaps... read more
Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 13:5
1 Samuel 13:5. Thirty thousand chariots The Syriac and Arabic copies mention only three thousand chariots, which seems to be the true reading; for there is no foundation for believing that the Philistines could bring into the field thirty thousand chariots of war. Indeed we read of nothing like it in all history. Or, we may suppose that most of them were but carriages for the baggage of the army. read more
Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 13:6
1 Samuel 13:6. Israel saw that they were in a strait Though their wonderful success against the Ammonites had encouraged them to obey the summons of such a prosperous leader as Saul had been; yet when they saw the vast army of the Philistines, how well they were appointed, and themselves unprovided, their hearts failed them, and they slunk away from him as fast as they had flocked to him. The people were distressed Notwithstanding their former presumption, that if they had a king they... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 13:9
A burnt offering, etc. The Hebrew has the definite article, the burnt offering and the peace offerings, which were there ready for Samuel to offer. He offered. Not with his own hand, but by the hand of the attendant priest, Ahiah, who was, we know, with him. Possibly, nevertheless, the Levitical law was not at this period strictly observed. read more