1 Samuel 13:1-7
1 Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for forty-two years over Israel.
2 Now Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel, of whom two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, while a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin. But he sent the rest of the people away, each to his tent.
3 And Jonathan attacked the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul blew the trumpet throughout the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!”
4 And all Israel heard the news that Saul had attacked the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become repulsive to the Philistines. Then the people were summoned to Saul at Gilgal.
5 Now the Philistines assembled to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people like the sand which is on the seashore in abundance; and they came up and camped in Michmash, east of Beth-aven.
6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were hard-pressed), then the people kept themselves hidden in caves, in crevices, in cliffs, in crypts, and in pits.
7 And some of the Hebrews crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead. But as for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him, trembling.
Facing an Overwhelmingly Superior Enemy
Jonathan initiating hostilities
There is a significant time gap between chapters 12 and 13. During this period, the Philistines, who lived in the coastal plains, had expanded into the hill country. The first verse of chapter 13 acts as a summary of the reign of King Saul. The New American Standard Bible 2020 renders this verse as, “Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for forty-two years over Israel.” However, the Hebrew text actually has missing numbers. Translations such as the Revised Standard Version leaves the number blank, which probably is most accurate to the original text. Translations such as the New King James Version renders the verse as, “Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel.” However, it is unthinkable to attribute all that occurred during Saul’s reign to a span of only two years. Now, Saul chose for himself an army of 3,000 men, keeping 2,000 with himself and entrusting the remaining 1,000 to his son Jonathan. It was this Jonathan who initiated hostilities by killing the commander of the Philistine garrison in Geba. The Israelites responded to Saul’s call and gathered at Gilgal, where Saul was.
The spirit of fear
The Philistine army had 30,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and a countless number of soldiers. Seeing this, the Israelites had lost the will to fight. (1) Some hid in caves, in crevices, in crypts, and in pits, seeking any place where they could keep themselves hidden. (2) Others crossed the Jordan River to escape to the lands of Gad and Gilead on the east side. (3) There were also those who remained with Saul in Gilgal, but they were trembling with fear. The problem with the people was also a problem with the king, who is their leader. King Saul, who had initially started his journey trusting in the Lord, over time, had become reliant on his own strength. The reason the Israelites were seized by a “spirit of cowardice” was that neither the king nor the people looked up to the Lord of Hosts. Are you currently dominated by a spirit of cowardice? Let’s remember this scripture and rise up in faith: “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and of love and discipline” (2 Tim. 1:7).
Today's prayer
Lord of Hosts, please surround me with Your heavenly armies and give me victory over all that is evil. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.