13:1 Saul was thirty years old The details of Saul’s age and the length of his reign have been lost, or deliberately omitted, from the Hebrew text. Acts 13:21 indicates that he ruled for 40 years. The Jewish historian Josephus says he reigned 20 years (Antiquities 10.143), but elsewhere he also seems to suggest 40 (Antiquities 6.378).

13:2 Jonathan Saul’s son.

13:3 Geba Possibly refers to Gibeah. Jonathan was stationed at Gibeah (v. 2) and a Philistine garrison has already been mentioned there (10:5). However, the ot also speaks of a city named Geba in the territory of Benjamin (Josh 21:17); the two are probably separate places.

Let the Hebrews hear Saul proclaims their victory over the Philistines. He might have anticipated that the Philistines would respond with their military; this proclamation would allow him to muster a larger army for battle.

13:5 the Philistines assembled to fight They prepare to fight with a full military array.

Battles of Saul and David Table

Philistines

13:6 hid themselves They seek to avoid what they perceive as certain death at the hands of the Philistines. Their fear later becomes a taunt among the Philistine troops (1 Sam 14:11). Compare 14:22, where God turns their taunt into decisive strategy.

13:7 to the land of Gad and Gilead East of the Jordan River. See note on 11:1.

followed him trembling Reflecting the disposition of their leader (compare 10:22 and note).

13:8 He waited seven days Samuel instructed Saul to wait at Gilgal seven days in 10:8, but the attempt to link that event with this verse results in several inconsistencies. In terms of location, Samuel comes to Gilgal in 11:14–15 after the defeat of the Ammonites; however, he must have left again, because he is not in Gilgal in v. 8. In terms of chronology, the mustering of Israelite forces in 11:7–8 and the subsequent battle with Nahash probably would have taken longer than seven days.

the army started to slip away from him The people were losing confidence in Saul. They observed their king’s apprehension and fear, and they fled.

13:9 Bring here to me the burnt offering Such offerings were made before fighting to atone for the sins of the troops. In addition to disobeying Samuel’s instructions, Saul is not qualified to make this offering. He ignores the law and places himself above God’s priest, showing that he is unfit to lead God’s people.

13:11 the army Rather than take responsibility for his actions, Saul blames three other people or groups: the people, Samuel, and the Philistines. Saul associates himself with the sin only by stating that he offered the sacrifice under duress (v. 12).

13:12 I have not yet implored the face of Yahweh Ironically, he does so through disobedience.

13:14 your kingdom will not endure Saul’s punishment for acting like a king from other nations (8:5, 20) and disobeying God’s commands.

a man according to his own heart This description likely is included to contrast the disobedient Saul with a king who follows Yahweh.

13:19 no skilled craftsman could be found The Philistines were restricting the Israelites’ access to weapons.

13:20 to have his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, and his iron plowshare sharpened The Israelites have to rely on the Philistines to maintain their farming tools.

13:21 The charge The rates given here are extraordinarily high. In this way, the Philistines could exact additional money from the Israelites, thereby impoverishing them further.

13:22 but Saul and his son Jonathan had them The Philistines’ control was so effective that only the Israelite king and one of his generals had metal weapons.