Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Saul reigned one year over Israel; he completed two years of reign, but it was a tumultuous time. He chose three thousand men of Israel, with two thousand under his command in Michmash and Mount Bethel, and a thousand with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the troops were sent back to their own tents.

Jonathan boldly struck the Philistine garrison in Geba, and news of this spread quickly throughout the land. Saul sounded the trumpet calling out to all Israelites, proclaiming that he had defeated the Philistines. This victory made Israel a target for the Philistines, who saw them as abominable. As a result, people from all over gathered at Gilgal, eager to join Saul.

The Philistines responded by gathering an enormous army: thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, with an army so vast it seemed like the sand on the seashore. They encamped in Michmash, east of Bethaven, a formidable force that intimidated Israel. As the people of Israel realized their desperate situation, they fled to hide in caves, thickets, rocks, high places, and pits.

Some Hebrews escaped across the Jordan River into the land of Gad and Gilead, while Saul remained at Gilgal with his troops trembling with fear. He waited for seven days, as Samuel had instructed, but the prophet did not arrive. The people began to scatter from him in panic.

Saul felt desperate, so he said, "Bring me a burnt offering and peace offerings." He offered the sacrifice, hoping it would appease God. Just as he finished, Samuel arrived at Gilgal. Saul rushed out to greet him, eager for reassurance.

Samuel was shocked by what he saw: Saul had taken matters into his own hands, ignoring God's command. "What have you done?" Samuel asked sternly. Saul explained that the people were fleeing from him, and he feared the Philistines would attack Gilgal if he waited any longer.

But Samuel was unimpressed with Saul's excuses. He scolded him for not following God's instructions, saying that the Lord had intended to establish a kingdom over Israel forever through Saul. However, because Saul disobeyed, his kingdom would not endure. Instead, someone else would be chosen to rule, one who would faithfully obey God.

Samuel departed from Gilgal and headed towards Gibeah of Benjamin, leaving Saul with about six hundred men. Meanwhile, Saul and his son Jonathan stayed behind in Gibeah, while the Philistines continued to camp at Michmash. The spoils of war were gathered from the Philistine camps, with three groups heading out: one towards Ophrah in Shual's land, another towards Bethhoron, and a third towards the valley of Zeboim.

In those days, there was no blacksmith in all Israel, for the Philistines had forbidden them from making swords or spears. As a result, the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, axes, and sickles. They kept a file handy, but when battle arrived, Saul and Jonathan were the only ones with swords and spears.

The garrison of the Philistines marched out towards the passage of Michmash, ready for battle.