Saul was (thirty) years old when he became king , and he reigned over Israel (forty-)two years.
(He) chose three thousand (men) of Israel : Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country vvv of Bethel , and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. And the rest of the troops he sent away , each to his own (home).
Then Jonathan - attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba , and the Philistines heard (about it). So Saul blew the ram’s horn throughout the land , saying , “ Let the Hebrews - hear !”
And all Israel heard the news : “ Saul - has attacked an outpost of the Philistines , and now Israel has become a stench to the Philistines ! ” Then the people ... were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.
Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots , six thousand horsemen , and troops as numerous as the sand - on the seashore .... They went up and camped at Michmash , east of Beth-aven.
Seeing that in danger because their troops were hard-pressed , the men of Israel - hid in caves and thickets , among the rocks , and in cellars and cisterns.
Some Hebrews - even crossed - the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul, however , remained at Gilgal , and all his troops were quaking in fear ....
And (Saul) waited seven days for the time appointed by Samuel , but Samuel did not come to Gilgal , and the troops began to desert (Saul).
So (he) said , “ Bring me ... the burnt offering and the peace offerings. ” And he offered up the burnt offering.
- Just as he finished offering the burnt offering , ... Samuel arrived , and Saul went out vvv to greet him.
“ What have you done ?” Samuel asked. And Saul replied , “ When I saw that the troops were deserting me , and that you did not come at the appointed time and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash ,
I thought , ‘ Now the Philistines will descend upon me at Gilgal , and I have not sought the favor of the LORD. ’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”
“ You have acted foolishly , ” Samuel declared - -. “ You have not kept - the command that the LORD your God gave you ; - if you had , the LORD - would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.
But now your kingdom will not endure ; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ... ruler over His people , because you have not kept - - the command of the LORD.”
Then Samuel set out from Gilgal and went up to Gibeah in Benjamin. And Saul numbered the troops ... who were with him , about six hundred men.
Now Saul and Jonathan his son and the troops ... with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin , while the Philistines camped at Michmash.
And raiders went out of the Philistine camp in three divisions. One - headed toward Ophrah - - in the land of Shual ,
another - - toward Beth-horon - , and the (third) ... - down the border road overlooking ... the Valley of Zeboim facing the wilderness.
And no blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel , because the Philistines had said , “ The Hebrews - must not be allowed to make swords or spears.”
Instead, all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen ... - their plowshares , - mattocks , - axes , - and sickles.
The charge was a pim for (sharpening) a plowshare or mattock , a third (of a shekel) for (sharpening) a pitchfork or an axe , and (a third of a shekel) for repointing an oxgoad.
So on the day of battle not a sword or spear could be found in the hands vvv of the troops - with Saul ... and Jonathan ; ... only Saul and his son Jonathan had weapons.
And a garrison of the Philistines ... had gone out to the pass at Michmash.