1 Samuel 13:1-22

1 Samuel 13, 14. Saul’ s Early Struggles with the Philistines.— (J), chiefly from the ancient narrative concerning Saul. Editorial notes, or additions from other sources, are 1 Samuel 13:1; 1 Samuel 7 b, “ but as for Saul . . . Benjamin,” 1 Samuel 13:15 a; 1 Samuel 13:19-Song of Solomon :; 1 Samuel 14:47-Colossians :.

1 Samuel 13:1 . If the present Hebrew text were regarded as correct and complete, the translation ( cf.mg.) would be, “ And Saul was a year old when he became king, and he reigned two years over Israel.” Both periods are absurd. The editor intended to provide for Saul the usual introductory formula, as in 1 Kings 14:21, etc. Not having any express information on the subject, he intended to calculate the periods later on; meanwhile, that he might not forget, he inserted the blank schedule, “ Saul was . . . years old, when he became king; and he reigned . . . years”— leaving blanks to be filled afterwards; and then forgot. The fact that the blanks were not filled in by copyists, shows that from a certain date, later than the time of the editor or scribe who inserted this verse, the text was copied with mechanical fidelity, without correcting patent absurdities. As the words for “ two” and “ years” are very similar in Hebrew, it seems that the word for “ years” was accidentally repeated, and then one of the words was slightly modified to read as “ two.” The “ thirty” of RV is derived from two late MSS of the LXX; the verse is wanting in most MSS of the LXX, and is probably a very late insertion. As Jonathan was grown up when Saul became king, the latter must have been about forty at the time of his accession. Acts 13:21 and some texts of Josephus ( Ant. VI. xiv. 9) give Saul a reign of forty years, but this is clearly too long; Ant. X. viii. 4 and some texts of VI. xiv. 9. give twenty years, which is probably much nearer the mark.

1 Samuel 13:2-Judges : a (to “ Gilead” ). Saul institutes a standing army. Jonathan having slain a Philistine official (not “ garrison), [Saul makes a general levy of Israel at Gilgal?]. But when the Philistines advanced in force, the Israelites were seized with a panic, and fled to hiding-places or across the Jordan.

1 Samuel 13:2 . Michmash: Mukhmas, 7 miles N. of Jerusalem (p. 31).— Gibeah: here and in 1 Samuel 13:15; 1 Samuel 14:2; 1 Samuel 14:16, read Geba, as in 1 Samuel 13:3; 1 Samuel 13:16, 1 Samuel 14:5.

1 Samuel 13:3-Deuteronomy : . These verses can hardly be in their original form. “ Hebrews” is out of place in Saul’ s mouth; it is the name given to Israelites by foreigners. There are grounds for reading instead of “ And the Philistines . . . hear,” “ And the Philistines heard saying: The Hebrews have revolted.” The assembly at Gilgal, and the impossible numbers in 1 Samuel 13:5, are editorial. Probably in the ancient narrative, the Philistines drove Saul back from Michmash to Geba, where we find him in 1 Samuel 13:16 (ICC).

7b. but as for Saul . . . Benjamin, 1 Samuel 13:15 a.— An extract from a late document, whose history and date cannot be further determined. The editor has prepared the way for this section by inserting 1 Samuel 10:8 and 1 Samuel 13:4, which may be based on the same document. It is not quite clear what Saul’ s sin was, but the following gives a probable interpretation:— Samuel had arranged with Saul to come to Gilgal on a certain day to offer the sacrifices which were necessary to inaugurate the campaign (p. 99). Samuel did not keep his appointment; time pressed, and Saul offered the sacrifices himself. Immediately Samuel appears and declares that Yahweh will punish Saul’ s impatience by transferring the kingship to “ a man after his own heart,” i.e. David. Possibly in the document, in its complete form, the condemnation of Saul seemed less harsh and arbitrary than it does here.

1 Samuel 13:15 b – 1 Samuel 13:18 . The ancient narrative, continuing 1 Samuel 13 :L7 a. Saul and Jonathan remain at Geba with 600 men; the Philistines make Michmash their headquarters and send out detachments to plunder the country.

1 Samuel 13:17 . Ophrah: Joshua 18:23.

1 Samuel 13:18 . Shual: not identified.— Beth-horon: p. 31, Joshua 10:10.— Zeboim: not identified.

1 Samuel 13:19-Song of Solomon : . An editorial note representing the Israelites as almost entirely disarmed, which would be an exaggeration (p. 57, Judges 4:2 *). As regards details the text is corrupt and it is not clear how it should be restored.