Samuel Thru Solomon. The History of First Samuel Lesson 7-1 Samuel 13:1-14:52

Transcription

1 Samuel Thru Solomon The History of First Samuel Lesson 7-1 Samuel 13:1-14:52 Last time we saw Saul established in eyes of Israel as King by his overwhelming victory over Nahash Ammonites. Afterward, LORD reminded Israel that ir choice of a human King as preferable to having LORD as King was displeasing to Him. He sent a freak rainstorm in middle of dry season that ruined wheat harvest. The LORD knew that ir choice of a monarchy would lead to a succession of mostly awful Kings who would lead Israel back into captivity. His final words on subject were: "Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you your king will be swept away." (1 Samuel 12:25) 1 Samuel 13:1 Saul was [thirty] years old when he became king, he reigned over Israel [forty-] two years. Saul had reigned one year; when he had reigned two years over Israel, This verse has a lot of problems with it. To begin with Septuagint ( 3 rd Century translation of OT into Greek) does not even have this verse. The most ancient Hebrew texts do not have number "thirty" or number "forty." This has resulted in wildly varying translations of this verse. Some have argued that original numbers have been lost in transcription. This seems to be view of those who came up with NIV translation above also following versions. 1 / 10

2 Young's: Saul was... years old when he became king; he reigned two years over Israel. ASV: Saul was [forty] years old when he began to reign; when he had reigned two years over Israel, HNV: Sha'ul was [forty] years old when he began to reign; when he had reigned two years over Yisra'el, RSV: Saul was... years old when he began to reign; he reigned... two years over Israel. As you can see some versions just left a blank space, while ors just supplied a number out of guesses of what numbers should be re. If we go with a guess for Saul's age when he became king, it seems to me that thirty is a minimum, forty maximum. We know that very close to beginning of Saul's reign, his son Jonathan was old enough to act as one of sub commers of army so it would seem that Jonathan must have been at least in his teens at beginning of his far's reign. That makes 30 to 40 likely. Also, in Acts 13:21 Paul says Saul reigned forty years, so we have to regard that as authoritative. Besides that New Testament account, Old Testament also testifies to forty year period. In 1 Samuel 14:49 list of sons of Saul at his coronation is three, does not include Ishbosheth (called Esh-Baal in 1 Chronicles 8:33), yet after Saul died Ishbosheth ( last surviving son of Saul) took throne at age of forty (2 Samuel 2:10). This indicates that Ishbosheth was not yet born at Saul's coronation, at least forty years passed before he took throne. In 90 AD Josephus listed Saul's reign as twenty years, (Compare Antiquities of Jews, by Flavius Josephus, BOOK VI. Title, 2 / 10

3 Antiquities of Jews, by Flavius Josephus, BOOK VI. CHAPTER 13. Verse 5,. Antiquities of Jews, by Flavius Josephus, BOOK VI. CHAPTER 14. Verse 9.) although his Chronology of ancient dates that far (1100 year) before his own time is very unreliable. Some versions (who I agree with) try to make most of Hebrew text as it sts. The most literal translation of Hebrew is Darby's: Darby's: A son of a year [is] Saul in his reigning, yea, two years he hath reigned over Israel, The King James Version Webster's are also fairly literal, but seemed to have viewed expression "A son of a year [is] Saul in his reigning" as a figure of speech meaning "Saul reined one year." KJV: Saul reigned one year; when he had reigned two years over Israel, Webster's: Saul reigned one year; when he had reigned two years over Israel, To conclude, I believe that King James Version is close to true meaning. I believe that "two years" is correct, this should be read as indicating length of time Saul reigned before events in verse 2 occurred. [a] See 1 Samuel 7:2. In or words when events at Gilgal took place, Saul had reigned one year, n one year later, came battle with Philistines described next. 3 / 10

4 1 Samuel 13:2 Saul chose had chosen three thous men from Israel; two thous were with him at Micmash in hill country of Bel, a thous were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. The rest of men he had sent back to ir homes. This was Saul's sting army. Instead of calling all Israel to arms, he kept a 3,000 man full time army. They could be trained disciplined to be a more effective fighting force than a group many times its size. 1 Samuel 13:3 Jonathan attacked Philistine outpost at Geba, Philistines heard about it. Then Saul had trumpet blown [b] throughout l said, "Let Hebrews hear!" Jonathan, with his 1,000 men had attacked Philistine outpost at Geba. Geba was deep in territory of Benjamin, not far from Saul's own capital at Gibeah. It constituted a continuing threat to ir security. Evidently, after outpost had been attacked taken, Saul sent word to Israel so that y would be prepared when Philistines responded. 4 / 10

5 1 Samuel 13:4 So all Israel heard news: "Saul has attacked Philistine outpost, now Israel has become a stench to Philistines." And people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal. When news went out to Israel, ir view of it was not positive. It seemed to be more of fear than of confidence. 1 Samuel 13:5 The Philistines assembled to fight Israel, with three thous chariots, six thous charioteers, soldiers as numerous as s on seashore. They went up camped at Micmash, east of Beth Aven. The Philistines had 3000 chariots, each one manned by a driver a warrior (usually armed as an archer). They also had a large number of or soldiers. Chariots were tanks of that day, but like tanks, y are only effective on flat, open ground. The territory y were attacking was very hilly rocky. 1 Samuel 13:6-7a When men of Israel saw that ir situation was critical that ir army was hard pressed, y [c] hid in caves thickets, among rocks, in pits cisterns. Some Hebrews even crossed Jordan to l of Gad Gilead. 5 / 10

6 Instead of turning out a force of 330,000 men like y did for defense of Gibeah in previous chapter, y evidently took view that Saul had provoked incident that his army should take care of it. Since Saul's was greatly outnumbered, y figured he would be beaten y hid. 1 Samuel 13:7b Saul remained at Gilgal, all troops with him were quaking with fear. Meanwhile, Saul his 3,000 men had retreated to Gilgal were terrified of outcome of battle in which y were vastly outnumbered. 1 Samuel 13:8-9 He waited seven days, time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, Saul's men began to scatter. So he said, "Bring me burnt offering fellowship offerings." And Saul offered up burnt offering. Although scriptural account is somewhat unclear, evidently, on great occasions like this Saul had been instructed to assemble at Gilgal wait for Samuel: 1 Samuel 10:8 "Go down ahead of me (Samuel) to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you (Saul) to sacrifice burnt offerings fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you tell you 6 / 10

7 what you are to do." By seventh day, Samuel had not come. Saul's men were beginning to desert, so instead of waiting till end of seventh day, Saul took matters in his own hs. At very least Saul should have had a Priest make offering as was commed by LORD's law. We do know he had a priest, Ahijah, bror of High Priest in his camp (2 Samuel 14:3). 1 Samuel 13:10 Just as he finished making offering, Samuel arrived, Saul went out to greet him. Just as Saul was finishing making offering near end of seventh day, Samuel arrived. 1 Samuel 13:11-12 "What have you done?" asked Samuel. Saul replied, "When I saw that men were scattering, that you did not come at set time, that Philistines were assembling at Micmash, I thought, Now Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, I have not sought LORD's favor.' So I felt compelled to offer burnt offering." 7 / 10

8 Gilgal, where Saul had been camped was in Jordan Valley, on flat ground. Saul knew his tactical situation against Philistine chariots would be critical if Philistines had come down out of hill country of Benjamin caught m at Gilgal. He used that as well as rising desertion rates as his excuse for not waiting on Samuel, his word of what LORD would have him do. 8 / 10

9 1 Samuel 13:13 comm kingdom been that beforeh prophecy his LORD's This Samuel own established. had King 13:14 comm." heart would over been Saul But would "You LORD Israel a have would now test How appointed come for been your of your fail. Saul, all out acted LORD different. God If kingdom time. of him Judah foolishly," gave LORD would he leader will had you; had have [d] not failed. of if foreseen his you worked endure; probably If people, Samuel had, Saul this that he related had out because Saul said. would LORD passed in would to spite "You have has you this, of fact pass, sought established have his that previous house have not out previous knew kept not a would prophecy man your kept have after anointed because was himself Note speaking that would 13:15 counted his desertions, He by evidently at Samuel is Then men this reign of not here, time who limited Samuel got for but David almost were anor by Jesus LORD's left time. would with anor Gilgal 25 Christ Of him. directions years. course, 40 be who They years. born went would in numbered LORD for up went anor deeper to could Gibeah up about born to eight sense, say Gibeah for in He six years, anor Benjamin, it had hundred. was nor appointed not Saul 1000 would David followed years. he David Saul besaul LORD Benjamin, just So Samuel army. Saul 13:16 In in while his doing Saul army men so were had y Philistines his diminished at skirted son Jonathan fortified camped from Philistines town its at original Micmash. of Gibeah. men returned overmatched with The m much to 3,000 were larger hill country. to staying Philistine a puny Because in 600. army Gibeah him of was with One third encampment (Ophrah), Samuel to 13:17-18 northwest Raiding of m parties at Micmash. Philistines So sickles mattocks, At this turned toward point, west toward watching instead (Beth borderl Ophrah Horon) of Saul attacking overlooking Gibeah went east Saul, vicinity out ( to from Valley Philistines of south, Shual, Valley of Philistine y Zeboim). anor of divided sent Zeboim out camp ir toward raiding facing forces. Beth three parties Besides Horon, desert. detachments. to ir north main Geba did establishments. badly in or Evidently, Samuel all it by was Israel sharpened. raids 13:19-21 such had went in Not Philistine a that which Whatever said, third down a y The blacksmith "Orwise y of domination to price had a ir assassinated shekel been was method, Philistines could able for two of sharpening Israel it to be thirds any had eliminate found to Hebrews by blacksmiths been have of means a in forks effective. shekel all ir will of whole y plowshares, outposts blacksmiths make for The axes heard sharpening l swords Israelite about, of mattocks, Israel, for middle Israel. army or plowshares repointing spears!" burned because was Perhaps of axes Israel not ir goads. only However, This Samuel Samuel spear outnumbered, did 13:22 13:23 not in his h So mean h; on to y but h day badly didn't fighting of out have armed. y battle [e] deadly were only not weapons. at Saul a a soldier severe They his with disadvantage. son had Saul Jonathan slingshots, Jonathan had spears, m. had a bows. sword like y Beth The Samuel Aven. pass 14:1 "Come, But at One Now Micmash day a detachment Jonathan was a valley son of Philistines that of Saul ran along said had to gone right young out rear to flank man pass of bearing at Philistine Micmash. He seems unusual of ground reconnaissance. Here Samuel was he key He we absurd did a in was man begin commers history not just norrn of tell to His trust truly to 16 see his see far years a noble revealed far. side for seventeen that his was old of let's character. done. far completely go valley. year The character over at time. At Black old Only this to Here unaware great with time Prince, of he Jonathan one Philistine English task of was his it of victory son armor had only truly being outpost wouldn't of approached about great over bearer Edward a key on 17. have men were general, III French Although, of from approved. or on faith Engl, his this at side." armor, in Crecy to dangerous not high camp us, was Bible. it at 14:2-3 Migron. wearing Eli, No Samuel one LORD's 14:4-5 With an suspected ephod. Saul him priest were was what He staying was about Shiloh. a LORD son six No hundred of one Ichabod's outskirts about was men, to aware bror do of among Gibeah through that Ahitub whom Jonathan under one man son was a pomegranate had of Ahijah, Phinehas, faith. left. who was tree son in one Philistine to north outpost toward On each was Micmash, side a cliff; of one pass or was that called to Jonathan Bozez, south toward intended Geba. or to cross Seneh. to reach One cliff stood of Jaba) canyon about outpost Jonathan's The Here Samuel Samuel hinder situation close a we just half 14:6 14:7 of see faith. those south to mile Jonathan Geba. on LORD behind of uncircumcised Michmash The ground said from is norrn a to Philistine man saving, was his (modern who this. young fellows. flank wher position. trusts The of Mikhmas). armor-bearer, Philistines Perhaps by many LORD. The were or canyon position LORD "Come, It by is few." too that will was east bad Jonathan act protected of let's in Gibeah Saul our go crossed behalf. by didn't over (modern a deep have to was ahead; "Do all that you have in mind," his armor-bearer said. "Go Nothing many. Jonathan's I am armor with you bearer heart is one of soul." those unnamed heroes of faith, of which re are Samuel 14:8 m Jonathan Samuel see 14:9-10 are climb hs." up, not us. because proposed Jonathan go If up y that climbing say said, will to "Come, us, be down our Wait [f] into sign re m. that n; valley until But we we toward LORD if will y come cross has say, to Philistines. given you,' Come over m we toward up will into stay us,' our men where we will we let knew inspiration "Look!" y were He Samuel Samuel proposed were cowards. Philistines this 14:11 14:12 would was hiding So that from both taunted in." when a said sign of LORD. m Jonathan is left Philistines. showed to our imagination. his mselves saw companion. "The y The to Hebrews They should result Philistine were seems challenge are confident crawling to outpost. show m. that that out How this of Jonathan "Come armor-bearer, Israel." The up "Climb men to us of we'll outpost up after teach shouted me; you a lesson." LORD to Jonathan has given So m his Jonathan armor-bearer, into said h to Israelites his of holes Samuel 14:13-14 behind killed men was gave Jonathan m climbed sign y up, needed using his hs y went up feet, in faith. those God. 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"Muster are his running armor-bearer (At that in time forces terror. it who was continues y Saul Samuel lost hadn't 14:19 increased Fortunately Samuel Ark, 14:20 which here. to more While learned events was He Philistines Saul at was began anything. more. least going was six unfolding So talking 1 to miles What Samuel Saul bring away Saul so to said up rapidly 4. started at to priest, Kiriath Ark that as priest, with Jearim. a good offering didn't tumult "Withdraw luck have unauthorized in charm time Philistine for just your like sacrifices, Ahijah Israel h." camp did he bring before Philistines m Evidently, Samuel for 14:21 up with m Israelites. as in Then Those to total ir rear Saul confusion, Hebrews camp ranks all of went who his striking over Philistines men previously to each assembled fled or Israelites toward been with who ir with went front, were swords. to Philistines with battle. front Saul ranks They mistook had found Jonathan. gone camp couldn't that Evidently, Suddenly Samuel Samuel of even 14:23 14:22 Philistines re se Philistines. 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