1 Samuel 13:1-23
Q.1. How did the Philistines react to their defeat? What is a garrison? Why was Israel odious to the Philistines? What was the Israeli army’s response? – (1 Sam.13:1-7, 23)
At the close of this chapter, we discover that the Philistines had advanced beyond the Israelites in technology (c.f. 1 Sam.13:19-23). A garrison was a military defence post established to protect a city. A garrison also referred to the troops gathered at this stronghold (c.f. 1 Sam.13:23). The defeat of the garrison at Geba by Jonathan, brought strong reaction from the Philistines (1 Sam.13:3-4). The Philistines amassed their army in retaliation against Israel at Michmash, where Saul was located (1 Sam.13:2 & 5). The army of Philistia was vastly superior, so – 6 … the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in cliffs, in cellars, and in pits. 7 Also 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 (1 Sam.13:6-7). This is the first time we are introduced to the godly son of Saul, Jonathan (1 Sam.13:2-3 & 16).
Q.2. What possessed Saul to make an offering? What kind of a king was God wanting? Why was this essential? What made Israel dependent on the Philistines? – (1 Sam.13:8-22)
As the story unfolds, we find that the prophet Samuel had directed Saul to wait for him (1 Sam.13:8). When he did not come, Saul took matters into his own hands and ordered – … “Bring to me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering (1 Sam.13:9). This was not his prerogative because he was not ordained to be a priest. No sooner had he finished, than Samuel arrived and asked – What have you done? (1 Sam.13:11 c.f. Gen.3:13). Saul claimed that he took the action to stop his army from fleeing, and to seek for the Lord’s favour (1 Sam.13:11-12). Samuel summed up his sin twice, by reminding him – you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God (1 Sam.13:13 & 14). Worse was to come as Samuel delivered God’s pronouncement – 13 … the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people … (1 Sam.13:13-14 c.f. Acts 13:22). To this day, the Lord seeks a people who will trust and obey. After all his fleshly schemes, Saul only had six hundred men remaining of the three thousand he had chosen previously (1 Sam.13:2 & 15). We also learn how dependent the Israelites were on the Philistines for their agricultural implements because they lacked blacksmithing skills (1 Sam.13:19-21). In fact, the Philistines withheld the technology from them – otherwise the Hebrews will make swords and spears (1 Sam.13:19). Only Saul and Jonathan had managed to have a sword and spear (1 Sam.13:22). Later David would flee to the Philistines for a year and four months, for refuge from Saul. Achish of Gath gave him the city of Ziglag for his band of raiders and their families (1 Sam.27:1-7). Here David and his men learned the blacksmithing skills that the Israelites had previously lacked.