1 Samuel 13

1 Samuel 13:15-23

We have here, 1. The disposition of Saul’s army, ver. 1, 8. 2. The nation’s exhibit, ver. 3. 3. The inception of the Philistines thereupon, ver. 3—7. 4. Saul’s sacrifice at Gilgal with his army, before Samuel came, ver. 8—10. 5. His remisses for disobedience, ver. 11—14. 6. His march to Gibeah, whilst the Philistines ensang in Michmaih, ver. 15, 16. 7. The Philistines fancies meet with no resiliens; the Hebrews in general being without arms, their fancies having been taken away, ver. 17—23.

1. SAUL + reigned one year, and when he had reigned two years over Israel, 2. Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel, whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmaih and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin; and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. 3. And Jonathan (more the garrison of the Philistines) that not in Gabea, and the Philistines heard of it; and Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear. 4. And all Israel heard say, that Saul had (smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines: and the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal. 5. And the Philistines gathered themselves together, to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and its thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea-thore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmaih, eastward from Beth-aven. 6. When the men of Israel saw that they were in a Strait, (for the people were distressed) then the people did hide themselves in caves and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits. 7. And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of God and Gilead: as for Saul, he met yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

2. 1—7. Saul reigned one year, counting from his being mounted at Kamah, to his inauguration at Gilgal; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, he chose three thousand men, as his guard: of these, two thousand were with himself in mount Bethel, and one with Jonathan in Gibeah. Peace seems to have subsisted at present between the Israelites and the Philistines, who had garrisons in some cities, to keep the people of Israel in subjection. Saul determines to dispossess them, and thereby brings himself into the greatest difficulties.

3. Jonathan, as his command, forgeries the garrison of Gabea, which was near to Gibeah, his station; and as this seems to have been done treacherously, whilst they relied on the peace, and all might perhaps be put to the sword, the Philistines justly relented it, and abhorred the perfidious manner in which they acted. To oppose therefore the storm which he expected, Saul, by sound of trumpet, summons the people to attend; but whether disliking his conduct, or dreading the power of the Philistines, few gathered to his standard. Note, (1.) Hally and ill-advised proceedings often involve us in difficulties, which consideration might have foreseen and avoided. (2.) The sins of professors bring the greatest reproach upon the cause of God.

4. The Philistines, exasperated to the uttermost, and breathing revenge, assemble all their forces, and raise their confederates. 3. Just foot being as the sand on the sea-thore for multitude, their horse six thousand, and their chariots thirty thousand, they probably thought themselves fore of success, and collected such an incredible number, not for war, but to remove their sand. This interpretation I would rather prefer to the hypnotism of some, that the number is a mistake of the power for three thousand; or of others, who would refer this to the turn who fought in the chariots. Note, The powers of darkness leagued against us are more numerous, and the least of

them mightier than these chariots or horsemen: how unable them must we needs be to stand, unless God signs for us.

3. The Israelites in their danger have left all courage. For from animating each other to stand their ground, and shake a noble effort for their liberty, some fly to rocks and thickets for shelter; others halfe to the thrift distant border in Gilzad, that they may be as far as possible from the danger; whilst the few who remain are quite dispirited, and, though ashamed to defort their king, yet follow him trembling. Note, (1.) God will make men cut their folly (son); they would have a king, and now they suffer for it. (2.) They who are conscious of their unpreparedness for death, cannot but tremble at its approach.

4. And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal, and the people were scattered from him. 9. And Saul said, “Bring hither a burnt-offering to me, and peace-offerings. And he offered the burnt-offering.” 10. And it came to pale, that “as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt-offering, behold, Samuel came, and Saul went out to meet him, that he might + salute him. 11. And Samuel said, What hath thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that ’thou camelt not with in the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together to Michmaih.’ 12. Therefore said I, the Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: 13. I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt-offering. 14. And Samuel said to Saul, ‘Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. 15. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath fought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

5. 8—14. We have here.

6. Saul’s disobedience. Samuel had given him in charge, Chap. x. 8. to wait for him seven days in Gilgal, either in any general difficulty, or with an eye to this particular season, and he would come and sacrifice for him, and give him instructions how to proceed. Saul waited six days; on the seventh, seeing the people deserting him, and the Philistines advancing upon him, he hastily concludes, that Samuel either would not come, or would come too late; and therefore presumes to sacrifice without him; though neither priest nor prophet to authorize him for such a deed. But just as he had made an end of the burnt-offering, a message is brought that Samuel was near. Conscious of his guilt, he hailers to meet him; and, in answer to Samuel’s enquiry, seeks to excuse what he had done, with the plausible pleas of piety towards God, regard for the people, and the urgency of his affairs, which forced him against his own inclinations and conscience, not without a reflection on Samuel’s delay, as if he had begun his promise. But Samuel, though he had deferred his coming, to try Saul’s faith and obedience, to the last day, had not exceeded the time appointed, as he insinuated, the seventh day being not yet expired. Note, (1.) Impatience to help ourselves, and unwillingness to leave our concerns in God’s hands, serve only to involve us in new troubles. (2.) Disobedience against a positive precept can have no excuse; and every attempt to extenuate our guilt, is a proof of an unthousand spirit. (3.) The more we do against conviction, the more aggravated our transgressions. (4.) Pretences to religion, whilst we act in opposition to God’s commands, are barefaced hypocrisy.

7. Samuel’s rebuke. Though a king, he is not afraid to condemn his wickedness, and reproach his folly; yea, to denounce upon him the sentence of God. He tells him plainly, that he that set him up, will, for his disobedience, cast him down. His kingdom shall not continue; another is chosen in his room, a man after God’s own heart, to be captain over his Israel. After this, Samuel turns, and leaves him to meditate on his folly. Note, (1.) Plain and faithful rebukes become God’s ministers, even before kings. (2.) Folly and wickedness are twin filters; and the sinner will by and by reproach himself for his want of sense, as much as want of grace. (3.) Sins, which to us may appear little, have dangerous consequences. (4.) They who reject God’s government, are justly excluded from his everlasting kingdom.

8. And Samuel arose, and put him up from Gilgal, unto Gibeah of Benjamin: and Saul murdered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men. 16. And Saul and Jonathan his son, and the people that were

were

In the case of the same, about in Gibcah of Benjamin but that his times encamped in Michmafs. 17. ¶ And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines, in the same companies: one company turned unto the way they leadeth in Ophrah, unto the land of Shual. 18. And another company turned the way to Beth-boron: and another company turned to the way of the houses, that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness. 19. ¶ Now ’there was no tenth found throughout all the land of Israel: (for the Philistines said, Leth the Hebrews make them fwords or spears) 20. But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his father and his coulter, and his ass, and his matlock. 21. Yet they had a file for the matocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads. 22. So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found. 23. And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmafs.

Samuel in displeasure retires to Gibcah, and Saul, with the few who adhered to him, no more than for hundred men, the rest having deferted him, gave thither also. Perhaps this was a defensible place, where they might stand a siege, tho’ they were unable to meet the Philistines in the field. Here upon two things are observed,

1. The havock made by the Philistines. As there was no army to oppose them, they made several detachments from their main body, that they might the sooner plunder and subdue the country; and, to prevent all interrogation of their parties, they seize the passage of Michmafs, which was sent to Gibcah, purposing probably to lay siege quickly to that place. Note. They who provoke God to have them in distress, have only themselves to blame for their sufferings.

2. The wretched and weak fleet of the people of Israel. When they need most the weapons of war to defend themselves, by the policy of the Philistines they are quite unatmost. They had, during the time of their power, taken care to remove all the Smiths, and to forbid any Israelite exercising the trade; to that, even to make or repair his utensils or husbandry, every man was obliged to go down to the Philistines, either to their country, or to their garrison; only each man was allowed a life, to sharpen those that were in constant use. But as for sword or spear, there were none found among all the hosts of Israel, save with Saul and Jonathan, which is indeed wonderful, considering the victories lately obtained over the Philistines and Ammonites. It may be, the success they then had, from the divine interposition, made them less careful to provide for their future defence; or they trusted chiefly to bovee and arrow, or to their singers, for which Benjamin was so famous. It appears, however, Saul’s oversight, and shews the reason of the perverse hime-heartedness of the people, being thus defenceless. Note. When the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, is wretched out of our hands, we cannot but become an easy prey to the enemy of our souls.