1 Samuel 13:1
New International Version
Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty- two years.

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

English Standard Version
Saul lived for one year and then became king, and when he had reigned for two years over Israel,

Berean Standard Bible
Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years.

King James Bible
Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,

New King James Version
Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,

New American Standard Bible
Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for forty-two years over Israel.

NASB 1995
Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty two years over Israel.

NASB 1977
Saul was forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-two years over Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty-two years over Israel.

Amplified Bible
Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty-two years over Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty-two years over Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Saul was 30 years old when he became king, and he reigned 42 years over Israel.

American Standard Version
Saul was [ forty ] years old when he began to reign; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,

Contemporary English Version
Saul was a young man when he became king, and he ruled Israel for two years.

English Revised Version
Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign; and he reigned two years over Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Saul was [thirty] years old when he became king, and he was king of Israel [forty-two] years.

International Standard Version
Saul was 30 years old when he began to reign, and he ruled for 42 years over Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years.

NET Bible
Saul was [thirty] years old when he began to reign; he ruled over Israel for [forty] years.

New Heart English Bible
Saul was ruling for less than a year, when he ruled during year two over Israel,

Webster's Bible Translation
Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,

World English Bible
Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Saul [is] a son of [[thirty]] years in his reigning, and he has reigned over Israel [forty]-two years,

Young's Literal Translation
A son of a year is Saul in his reigning, yea, two years he hath reigned over Israel,

Smith's Literal Translation
Saul the son of a year in his reigning; and two years he reigned over Israel,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Saul was a child of one year when he began to reign, and he reigned two years over Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
When he began to reign, Saul was the son of one year, and he reigned over Israel for two years.

New American Bible
[Saul was. . .years old when he became king and he reigned. . .-two years over Israel.]

New Revised Standard Version
Saul was�.�.�. years old when he began to reign; and he reigned�.�.�. and two years over Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
AND when Saul had reigned one or two years in his kingdom over Israel,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when Shaul reigned one or two years in his kingdom over Israel
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Saul was --years old when he began to reign; and two years he reigned over Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
War with the Philistines
1Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years. 2He chose for himself three thousand men of Israel: Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. And the rest of the troops he sent away, each to his own home.…

Cross References
Acts 13:21
Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years.

1 Samuel 10:24-25
Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!” / Then Samuel explained to the people the rights of kingship. He wrote them on a scroll and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, each to his own home.

1 Samuel 15:1
Then Samuel said to Saul, “The LORD sent me to anoint you king over His people Israel. Now therefore, listen to the words of the LORD.

1 Samuel 9:16-17
“At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.” / When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke; he shall rule over My people.”

1 Samuel 11:14-15
Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.” / So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites rejoiced greatly.

1 Samuel 12:13
Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you requested. Behold, the LORD has placed a king over you.

2 Samuel 5:4-5
David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. / In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

1 Kings 14:21
Meanwhile, Rehoboam son of Solomon reigned in Judah. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel in which to put His Name. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite.

1 Kings 15:1-2
In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijam became king of Judah, / and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom.

1 Kings 15:9-10
In the twentieth year of Jeroboam’s reign over Israel, Asa became king of Judah, / and he reigned in Jerusalem forty-one years. His grandmother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom.

2 Kings 14:1-2
In the second year of the reign of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz over Israel, Amaziah son of Joash became king of Judah. / He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan; she was from Jerusalem.

2 Kings 15:1-2
In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam’s reign over Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah became king of Judah. / He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem.

2 Kings 15:32-33
In the second year of the reign of Pekah son of Remaliah over Israel, Jotham son of Uzziah became king of Judah. / He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother’s name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok.

2 Kings 16:1-2
In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah, Ahaz son of Jotham became king of Judah. / Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. And unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD his God.

2 Kings 18:1-2
In the third year of the reign of Hoshea son of Elah over Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz became king of Judah. / He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Abi, the daughter of Zechariah.


Treasury of Scripture

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

A.

Exodus 12:5
Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

Micah 6:6
Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?

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Israel Reign Reigned Reigning Saul Thirty
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Israel Reign Reigned Reigning Saul Thirty
1 Samuel 13
1. Saul's select band
3. He calls the Hebrews to Gilgal against the Philistines
5. The Philistines' great army
6. The distress of the Israelites
8. Saul, weary of staying for Samuel, sacrifices
11. Samuel reproves him
17. The three raiding parties of the Philistines
19. The policy of the Philistines, to allow no blacksmith in Israel














Saul was thirty years old
The phrase "Saul was thirty years old" introduces us to the age of Saul at the beginning of his reign. The Hebrew text here is somewhat ambiguous, leading to various interpretations and translations. The age of thirty is significant in biblical terms, often representing maturity and readiness for leadership. For instance, Joseph was thirty when he entered Pharaoh's service (Genesis 41:46), and David was thirty when he became king (2 Samuel 5:4). This age signifies a period of preparation and divine timing, suggesting that Saul was at a point in life where he was deemed ready by God to lead His people.

when he became king
The phrase "when he became king" marks the beginning of Saul's reign over Israel. Saul's anointing as king was a pivotal moment in Israel's history, transitioning from a theocracy led by judges to a monarchy. This change was not without controversy, as God had been Israel's king, and the people's demand for a human king was seen as a rejection of God's direct rule (1 Samuel 8:7). Saul's kingship was both a fulfillment of the people's desires and a test of their faithfulness to God. His reign would be a period of both opportunity and challenge, as he was tasked with uniting the tribes and defending the nation against its enemies.

and he reigned over Israel
The phrase "and he reigned over Israel" emphasizes Saul's authority and responsibility as the leader of the entire nation. Saul's reign was marked by military campaigns and efforts to consolidate the tribes of Israel into a unified kingdom. His leadership was crucial in establishing the monarchy and setting the stage for future kings. However, Saul's reign was also characterized by personal struggles and disobedience to God's commands, which ultimately led to his downfall. This highlights the importance of obedience and faithfulness in leadership, as well as the consequences of straying from God's will.

forty-two years
The phrase "forty-two years" refers to the duration of Saul's reign. The number forty often appears in the Bible, symbolizing periods of testing, trial, and judgment. While the exact length of Saul's reign is debated due to textual variations, the number here suggests a significant period in Israel's history. Saul's reign was a time of transition and transformation, as the nation moved from tribal confederation to centralized monarchy. Despite his initial promise, Saul's reign ended in tragedy, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and disobedience. His account reminds us of the need for humility and reliance on God in all aspects of life.

(1) Saul reigned one year.--The only possible literal translation of the Hebrew of this verse is, "Saul was the son of one year (i.e., one year old); he began to reign, &c." In several places in the Books of Samuel the numbers are quite untrustworthy (we have another instance of this in the 5th verse of this chapter). The present verse, however, is an old difficulty, the corruption or gap in the text dating from a far back period. The English translation is simply a probable, but conjectural, paraphrase. The Chaldee and some of the Rabbis thus strangely interpret it: "Saul was an innocent child when he began to reign"--that is, was as innocent as a one year old child, &c. The Syriac and others paraphrase much as our English Version. The LXX. omit the verse altogether. The Speaker's Commentary thus literally translates the Hebrew, marking with a--where a number probably originally stood: "Saul was--years old when he began to reign, and he reigned--and two years over Israel." On the whole, the usually accepted meaning is that Saul had reigned one year when the events related in the last chapter took place, and after he had reigned two years he chose out the 3,000 men, and did what is related in this chapter.

Verse 1. - Saul's age and length of reign. Saul reigned one year. This verse literally translated is, "Saul was one year old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years over Israel." In its form it exactly follows the usual statement prefixed to each king's reign, of his age at his accession, and the years of his kingdom (2 Samuel 2:10; 2 Samuel 5:4; 1 Kings 14:21; 1 Kings 22:42, etc.). The rendering of the A.V. is too forced and untenable to be worth discussing. As we have seen before, the numerals in the Books of Samuel are not trustworthy; but the difficulty here is an old one. The Vulgate translates the Hebrew literally, as we have given it; the Septuagint omits the verse, and the Syriac paraphrases as boldly as the A.V.: "When Saul had reigned one or two years." The Chaldee renders, "Saul was as innocent as a one-year-old child when he began to reign." In the Hexaplar version some anonymous writer has inserted the word thirty, rashly enough; for as Jonathan was old enough to have an important command (ver. 2), and was capable of the acts of a strong man (1 Samuel 14:14), his father's age must have been at least thirty-five, and perhaps was even more. As regards the length of Saul's reign, St. Paul makes it forty years (Acts 13:21), exactly the same as that of David (1 Kings 2:11) and of Solomon (1 Kings 11:42); and Josephus testifies that such was the traditional belief of the Jews ('Antiq.,' 6:14, 9). On the other hand, it is remarkable that the word here for years is that used where the whole number is less than ten. The events, however, recorded in the rest of the book seem to require a longer period than ten years for the duration of Saul's reign; thirty-two would be a more probable number, and, added to the seven and a half years' reign of Ishbosheth (see 2 Samuel 5:5), they would make up the whole sum of forty years ascribed by St. Paul to Saul's dynasty. It is quite possible, however, that these forty years may even include the fifteen or sixteen years of Samuel's judgeship. But the two facts, that all the three sons of Saul mentioned in 1 Samuel 14:49 were old enough to go with him to the battle of Mount Gilboa, where they were slain; and that Ishbosheth, his successor, was forty years of age when his father died, effectually dispose of the idea that Saul's was a very short reign. OCCASION OF THE FIRST WAR AGAINST THE PHILISTINES (vers. 2-7).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Saul
שָׁא֣וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

was [thirty] years old
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

when he became king,
בְּמָלְכ֑וֹ (bə·mā·lə·ḵōw)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

and he reigned
מָלַ֖ךְ (mā·laḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

[forty]-two
וּשְׁתֵּ֣י (ū·šə·tê)
Conjunctive waw | Number - fdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

years.
שָׁנִ֔ים (šā·nîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8141: A year


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OT History: 1 Samuel 13:1 Saul was forty years old when he (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 12:25
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