1 Samuel 13:17
New International Version
Raiding parties went out from the Philistine camp in three detachments. One turned toward Ophrah in the vicinity of Shual,

New Living Translation
Three raiding parties soon left the camp of the Philistines. One went north toward Ophrah in the land of Shual,

English Standard Version
And raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies. One company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual;

Berean Standard Bible
And raiders went out of the Philistine camp in three divisions. One headed toward Ophrah in the land of Shual,

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
Then raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies. One company turned onto the road to Ophrah, to the land of Shual,

New American Standard Bible
Then raiders came from the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual,

NASB 1995
And the raiders came from the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual,

NASB 1977
And the raiders came from the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual,

Legacy Standard Bible
And the raiders came from the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual,

Amplified Bible
And the raiding party came from the Philistine camp in three companies: one company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual,

Christian Standard Bible
Raiding parties went out from the Philistine camp in three divisions. One division headed toward the Ophrah road leading to the land of Shual.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Raiding parties went out from the Philistine camp in three divisions. One division headed toward the Ophrah road leading to the land of Shual.

American Standard Version
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;

Contemporary English Version
Each day they sent out patrols to attack and rob villages and then destroy them. One patrol would go north along the road to Ophrah in the region of Shual.

English Revised Version
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:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Raiding parties left the Philistine camp in three columns. One column turned onto the road to Ophrah to the region of Shual.

Good News Translation
The Philistine soldiers went out on raids from their camp in three groups: one group went toward Ophrah in the territory of Shual,

International Standard Version
Raiders went out of the Philistine camp in three companies. One company turned in the direction of Ophrah, to the land of Shual,

Majority Standard Bible
And raiders went out of the Philistine camp in three divisions. One headed toward Ophrah in the land of Shual,

NET Bible
Raiding bands went out from the camp of the Philistines in three groups. One band turned toward the road leading to Ophrah by the land of Shual;

New Heart English Bible
The spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned to the way that leads to Ophrah, to the land of Shual;

Webster's Bible Translation
And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned to the way that leadeth to Ophrah, to the land of Shual:

World English Bible
The raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned to the way that leads to Ophrah, to the land of Shual;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the destroyer goes out from the camp of the Philistines—three detachments: one detachment turns to the way of Ophrah, to the land of Shual,

Young's Literal Translation
And the destroyer goeth out from the camp of the Philistines -- three detachments; the one detachment turneth unto the way of Ophrah, unto the land of Shual;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he destroying will come forth from the camp of the rovers, three heads: one head will turn to the way of Ophrah, to the land of Shual:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And there went out of the camp of the Philistines three companies to plunder. One company went towards the way of Ephra to the land of Sual;

Catholic Public Domain Version
And three companies went out from the camp of the Philistines, in order to plunder. One company was traveling toward the way of Ophrah, to the land of Shual.

New American Bible
Meanwhile, raiders left the camp of the Philistines in three bands. One band took the Ophrah road toward the district of Shual;

New Revised Standard Version
And raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies; one company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies; one went toward the way of Ophrah to attack the land of Shual;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the destroyers went out from the camp of the Philistines three companies; one company of them went on the road of Aphar to the land of Sheguil
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And men came forth to destroy out of the land of the Philistines in three companies; one company turning by the way of Gophera toward the land of Sogal,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Israel Without Weapons
16Now Saul and Jonathan his son and the troops with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin, while the Philistines camped at Michmash. 17And raiders went out of the Philistine camp in three divisions. One headed toward Ophrah in the land of Shual, 18another toward Beth-horon, and the third down the border road overlooking the Valley of Zeboim facing the wilderness.…

Cross References
Judges 6:3-5
Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east would come up and invade them, / encamping against them as far as Gaza and destroying the produce of the land. They left Israel with no sustenance, neither sheep nor oxen nor donkeys. / For the Midianites came with their livestock and their tents like a great swarm of locusts. They and their camels were innumerable, and they entered the land to ravage it.

2 Kings 24:2
And the LORD sent Chaldean, Aramean, Moabite, and Ammonite raiders against Jehoiakim in order to destroy Judah, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through His servants the prophets.

2 Samuel 5:18
Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.

1 Samuel 14:15
Then panic struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked, and panic spread from God.

1 Samuel 23:27
Then a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!”

1 Samuel 30:1
On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down.

2 Chronicles 20:1
After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat.

Isaiah 10:5-6
Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath. / I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets.

Jeremiah 35:11
So when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched into the land, we said: ‘Come, let us go into Jerusalem to escape the armies of the Chaldeans and the Arameans.’ So we have remained in Jerusalem.”

Ezekiel 38:9
You and all your troops, and many peoples with you will go up, advancing like a thunderstorm; you will be like a cloud covering the land.

Acts 9:23-24
After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, / but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him.

Acts 23:12-13
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot.

Matthew 24:16
then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Luke 21:20-21
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. / Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city.

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.


Treasury of Scripture

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

in three companies

1 Samuel 11:11
And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.

Ophrah

Joshua 18:23
And Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah,

Shual

Joshua 19:3
And Hazarshual, and Balah, and Azem,

Jump to Previous
Attack Band Bands Camp Companies Company Destroyer Detachment Detachments Leads Ophrah Parties Philistine Philistines Raiders Raiding Road Shual Shu'al Spoilers Three Turned Turneth Vicinity Way
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Attack Band Bands Camp Companies Company Destroyer Detachment Detachments Leads Ophrah Parties Philistine Philistines Raiders Raiding Road Shual Shu'al Spoilers Three Turned Turneth Vicinity Way
1 Samuel 13
1. Saul's select band
3. He calls the Hebrews to Gilgal against the Philistines
5. The Philistines' great army
6. The distress of the Israelites
8. Saul, weary of staying for Samuel, sacrifices
11. Samuel reproves him
17. The three raiding parties of the Philistines
19. The policy of the Philistines, to allow no blacksmith in Israel














And raiders came out
The term "raiders" refers to small, mobile groups of soldiers or bandits who engage in quick, surprise attacks. In the Hebrew context, the word used here is "mashchit," which implies destruction or ruin. Historically, raiding was a common military tactic used to destabilize and demoralize an enemy. The Philistines, known for their military prowess and strategic cunning, employed raiders to weaken Israel's defenses and resources. This tactic reflects the ongoing struggle between the Israelites and the Philistines, a recurring theme in the Old Testament that underscores the need for divine intervention and leadership.

of the camp of the Philistines
The Philistines were a significant adversarial force against Israel during the time of Saul and David. Archaeological findings suggest that the Philistines were part of the Sea Peoples who settled along the coastal regions of Canaan. Their camp would have been a well-fortified base, strategically positioned to launch attacks into Israelite territory. The mention of their camp highlights the organized and persistent threat they posed to Israel, serving as a reminder of the spiritual and physical battles God's people faced.

in three companies
The division into "three companies" indicates a strategic military maneuver, allowing the Philistines to cover more ground and create confusion among the Israelites. The number three often symbolizes completeness or divine order in the Bible, though here it emphasizes the thoroughness of the Philistine strategy. This division also reflects the organized nature of the Philistine military, contrasting with the disarray and fear that often plagued the Israelites when they strayed from God's guidance.

One company turned toward Ophrah
Ophrah is a location within the territory of Benjamin, suggesting that the Philistines were targeting key areas within Israel to disrupt and control. The specific mention of Ophrah indicates its strategic importance, possibly as a trade route or a center of local governance. This movement towards Ophrah signifies the Philistines' intent to penetrate deeper into Israelite land, challenging the security and sovereignty of Saul's reign.

to the land of Shual
The "land of Shual" is mentioned only here in the Bible, and its exact location remains uncertain. However, its inclusion in this passage suggests it was a known region to the original audience, possibly a border area vulnerable to attack. The name "Shual" means "fox" in Hebrew, which could imply a place characterized by cunning or elusiveness. This reference serves as a metaphor for the deceptive and persistent nature of Israel's enemies, reminding readers of the need for vigilance and reliance on God's protection.

(17) And the spoilers came out.--The compiler of these Books of Samuel does not profess to give a detailed account of this or any of the wars of Saul It would seem that the Philistines, with their great armed demonstration (1Samuel 13:5), had completely cowed the Israelites, certainly in the southern part of Canaan. Probably the allied forces were now suffered to leave the Philistine host, and we next hear of the old raids re-commencing. The three companies spoken of in this and the next verse were directed to ravage districts in the tribe of Benjamin, for in that locality are situated all the places mentioned. Unchecked, they seem to have carried out their plans. These armed companies swept away all the smithies in the south part of the land. The fortunes of Saul now reached their lowest ebb. "The heights of his own tribe . . . and the passes of his own tribe were occupied by hostile garrisons. We see him leaning on his gigantic spear, whether it be on the summit of the Rock Rimmon . . . or under the tamarisk of Ramah . . . or on the heights of Gibeah. There he stood with his small band, the faithful six hundred, and as he wept aloud over the misfortunes of his country . . . another voice swelled the wild, indignant lament--the voice of Jonathan, his son."--Dean Stanley: Lectures on the Jewish Church.

Verses 17, 18 - The spoilers. The conduct of the Philistines is that of men over confident in their strength. They ought to have pounced at once upon Saul in the plain of Jordan, where their cavalry would have secured for them the victory, and then, following Samuel's and Saul's route, have seized the other end of the defile, and overpowered Jonathan. But they despised them both, and regarding the country as conquered, proceed to punish it, as probably they had cone on previous occasions, when no one had dared to make resistance. Leaving then the main army to guard the camp at Michmash, they sent out light armed troops to plunder the whole land. One company turned unto the way... to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual. This company went northward, towards Ophrah, a place five miles east of Bethel. The land of Shual, i.e. fox land, was probably the same as the land of Shalim in 1 Samuel 9:4. Another company, etc. This went eastward, towards Beth-heron, for which see Joshua 10:11. The third went to the south east, towards the wilderness of Judaea. Zeboim, and all the places mentioned, are in the tribe of Benjamin, which had committed the offence of making for itself a king. To the south Saul held the mountain fastnesses towards Jerusalem. DESCRIPTION OF ISRAEL'S EXTREME STATE OF OPPRESSION (vers. 19-23).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And raiders
הַמַּשְׁחִ֛ית (ham·maš·ḥîṯ)
Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7843: Perhaps to go to ruin

went out
וַיֵּצֵ֧א (way·yê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

of the Philistine
פְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים (p̄ə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

camp
מִמַּחֲנֵ֥ה (mim·ma·ḥă·nêh)
Preposition-m | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 4264: An encampment, an army

in three
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה (šə·lō·šāh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

divisions.
רָאשִׁ֑ים (rā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7218: The head

One
אֶחָ֥ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

headed
יִפְנֶ֛ה (yip̄·neh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look

toward
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Ophrah
עָפְרָ֖ה (‘ā·p̄ə·rāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6084: Ophrah -- an Israelite, also two places in Israel

in the land
אֶ֥רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Shual,
שׁוּעָֽל׃ (šū·‘āl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7777: Shual -- 'fox', a district in Israel


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OT History: 1 Samuel 13:17 The spoilers came out of the camp (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 13:16
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