Bible Verse Synopsis 5-28-25

1st Samuel 13:

Something is wrong with the first verse. It is as though Saul is meant to have reigned for longer but 2 years are picked out as if on purpose. Does Saul only follow God for 2 years in his reign? It reads to me as though time is passed between year 1 and year 2 of Saul's reign... A man named Jonathan, his son, arrives in the story in Verse 2. In Verse 3; "Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear." Jonathan acting on his father's instruction attacks a garrison of the Philistines. Last I checked, they were not the men of God and had the backing of evil. We also have no mention of God in the verse yet. Which isn't what I'm used to. Saul blowing the trumpets and saying what he says isn't the right name to call the Israelites. They were the Israelites, not the Hebrews. Their enemies called them the Hebrews. Why would Saul use this term of his own people? This attack upset the Philistines. They already held Israel as an abomination (Verse 4). This is not God's intention. So, the Philistines gathered their army and displayed their strength. The Devil does not like to be attacked and his response is much greater than that of the original volley. We, like Israel, have to withstand the onslaught of evil and turn to God. When this happens, we are to stand tall on the Rock and not fold or "hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits." - Verse 7. Verse 8 says that some Israelites even fled over the Jordan. While Saul remained in Gilgal with his men, trembling. What a contrast this is between who we are called to be and how we often act. What side of the line do you fall on? The side with God as your Rock and Salvation or the side being chased by the multitudes of dread, running for your life?

Samuel tells Saul to wait for him seven days. Samuel was not a fast man and over the 7 days the people left Saul. Saul had a priest offer a burnt offering for himself and peace offerings. Samuel arrives just as the Burnt offering ceremony ends and Saul goes out to meet him. Verse 11 - "And Samuel said, What have you done?" Saul was getting desperate for he was losing his men and was losing patience and influence. Saul once again chooses the road of the flesh. Saul has continued to chose the flesh throughout his story. Verse 12 feels and reads like a confession or realization. "Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a Burnt Offering." Saul sees the error of his ways in using the Burnt Offering as something for himself, when it should be for the Lord. What things has our society twisted to take away from God? What about yourself?

Samuel announces judgement on Saul for not keeping God's commandments. Did you notice how we don't see God mentioned until Verse 12? This is done to show the lack of God in the heart of Saul and the people. It is said through its absence, not through its presence. This is a good corollary for us to think about. When God is present in our lives what do we feel? And the inverse of that, what do we feel when He is absent? Do we even notice? Saul didn't until Samuel reminded him. Who is there to remind us?

Samuel's warning continues, telling Saul that His kingdom will not continue after his reign is over. If it were to continue, "the Lord would have established your kingdom upon Israel for ever." - Verse 13. Verse 14 says - "But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought Hm a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be captain over His people, because you have not kept that which the Lord commanded you." Saul was not this man and because of the route he chose, he would not sustain his role as king of Israel. There would not be another king of Israel until such time as the prophecy of Verse 14 is fulfilled. Who was that man that fulfilled these promises?

Samuel leaves Saul after this announcement. Saul counts his men, all 600 of them. The Philistines split up their army into 3 pieces. A sure sign of overconfidence, but in order to conquer all of Israel. Verse 19 tells us that there was no blacksmith in Israel and they would have to make their own weapons. With no weapons how could they defend themselves? This is part of the overconfidence by the Philistines. They know the Hebrews have no weapons. Why would they be afraid? "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 who were with Saul and Jonathan; but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found." They have 2 spears/swords between all 600 men? That seems like a mighty unfair fight. This is symbolism as well as a tragedy. With no weapons of steel or of Faith, they were doomed, just as we are. What weapons do we have in our faith and are we ready to use them against the enemy? Or will we be like the Israelites and be without a weapon?