1 Samuel 13:1-9 ▼

1 Saul (desired) was thirty years old [Saul was a son of a year] when he became king, and he reigned over Israel (he wrestles with God) forty-two years (over Israel forty years).

2 He (desired) chose for himself three thousand men of Israel (he wrestles with God): Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash (hidden) and in the hill country of Bethel (house of God), and a thousand were with Jonathan (YHWH has given) in Gibeah (hill) of Benjamin (son of the right hand). And the rest of the troops he sent away, each to his own home.

3 Then Jonathan (YHWH has given) attacked the Philistine (immigrants) outpost at Geba (hill), and the Philistines heard about it. So Saul (desired) blew the ram’s horn throughout the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews (those from beyond) hear!”

4 And all Israel (he wrestles with God) heard the news: “Saul (desired) has attacked an outpost of the Philistines (immigrants), and now Israel has become a stench to the Philistines!” Then the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal (a wheel).

5 Now the Philistines (immigrants) assembled to fight against Israel (he wrestles with God) with three thousand [thirty thousand] chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash (hidden), east of Beth-aven (house of wickedness).

6 Seeing that they were in danger because their troops were hard-pressed, the men of Israel (he wrestles with God) hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in cellars and cisterns.

7 Some Hebrews (those from beyond) even crossed the Jordan (flowing down) into the land of Gad (troop) and Gilead (rocky region). Saul, however (desired), remained at Gilgal (a wheel), and all his troops were quaking in fear.

8 And Saul waited seven days for the time appointed by Samuel (his name is El), but Samuel did not come to Gilgal (a wheel), and the troops began to desert Saul.

9 So he (desired) said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.” And he offered up the burnt offering.