1 Samuel 13

Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,

Saul's first year of reign passed; and as he completed his second year leading Israel,

Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.

Saul handpicked 3,000 men from Israel. He kept 2,000 with him in Michmash and Mount Bethel, while Jonathan led 1,000 in Gibeah of Benjamin. The remaining men were sent home.

And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.

Jonathan courageously defeated the Philistine stronghold in Geba, a victory that didn't go unnoticed by the Philistines. Then Saul sounded the trumpet across the land, calling, "Let the Hebrews hear!"

And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.

News spread across Israel that Saul had defeated a Philistine stronghold, causing the Philistines to despise Israel even more. In response, the people rallied behind Saul in Gilgal.

And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.

The Philistines, brimming with hostility, amassed against Israel. Their forces were immense - thirty thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and a sea of people, countless as the sand on the shore. They set up their camp in Michmash, to the east of Bethaven, ready for battle.

When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

When the Israeli men realized they were in trouble and the people were anxious, they sought refuge in caves, bushes, rocks, high grounds, and pits.

And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

Some Hebrews crossed the Jordan, venturing into Gad and Gilead's territories. Meanwhile, Saul remained in Gilgal, and all the people who followed him were trembling with fear.

And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.

He waited patiently for seven long days, just as Samuel had instructed. But Samuel didn't show up in Gilgal, and his people started to drift away from him.

And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.

Saul ordered, "Bring me a burnt offering and offerings of peace." Then he offered the burnt offering himself.

And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.

As soon as he finished his sacrificial offering, Samuel appeared. Filled with anticipation, Saul rushed to greet him.

And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;

Samuel asked, "What have you done?" Saul replied, "I panicked when I saw our people dispersing, you didn't show up as planned, and the Philistines were uniting at Michmash."

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.

So I thought, the Philistines are about to attack me at Gilgal, and I haven't yet sought the Lord's help. Out of fear, I felt compelled to make a burnt offering.

And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

Samuel looked at Saul, disappointment etched on his face. "You've acted foolishly, Saul," he said. "You didn't obey God's command. If you had, your reign over Israel would have been secure forever."

But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

Your reign won't last. God has chosen someone who truly understands His heart. He's appointed this man to lead His people, because you failed to follow God's instructions.

And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.

Samuel, filled with determination, journeyed from Gilgal to Benjamin's Gibeah. Saul, with a sense of responsibility, counted his companions, approximately six hundred strong men.

And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

Saul, his son Jonathan, and their companions stayed in Benjamin's Gibeah, filled with anticipation and fear, while the Philistines set up camp in Michmash, ready for battle.

And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:

The raiders from the Philistine camp split into three groups. One group headed towards Ophrah, in the territory of Shual.

And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

One group journeyed towards Bethhoron, while another ventured towards the edge overlooking the desolate valley of Zeboim.

Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:

In all of Israel, not a single blacksmith could be found. The Philistines had forbidden it, fearing the Hebrews might forge weapons.

But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.

Every Israelite journeyed to the Philistines, each seeking to hone their tools - their share, their coulter, their axe, and their mattock.

Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.

Despite their struggles, they still found a way to sharpen their tools - their hoes, plows, pitchforks, axes, and prods.

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 that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.

On the day of the battle, none of Saul's men had a sword or spear. Only Saul and his son Jonathan were armed.

And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.

The Philistine soldiers bravely marched towards the Michmash crossing.