Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Saul chose three thousand men from Israel; two thousand were with him at Mikmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. The rest of the men he sent back to their homes. New Living Translation Saul selected 3,000 special troops from the army of Israel and sent the rest of the men home. He took 2,000 of the chosen men with him to Micmash and the hill country of Bethel. The other 1,000 went with Saul’s son Jonathan to Gibeah in the land of Benjamin. English Standard Version Saul chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent home, every man to his tent. Berean Standard Bible He chose for himself three thousand men of Israel: Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country 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. King James Bible 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. New King James Version Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the mountains of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent away, every man to his tent. New American Standard Bible Now Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel, of whom two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, while a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin. But he sent the rest of the people away, each to his tent. NASB 1995 Now Saul chose for himself 3,000 men of Israel, of which 2,000 were with Saul in Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, while 1,000 were with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin. But he sent away the rest of the people, each to his tent. NASB 1977 Now Saul chose for himself 3,000 men of Israel, of which 2,000 were with Saul in Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, while 1,000 were with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin. But he sent away the rest of the people, each to his tent. Legacy Standard Bible And Saul chose for himself 3,000 men of Israel, of which 2,000 were with Saul in Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, while 1,000 were with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin. But he sent away the rest of the people, each to his tent. Amplified Bible Saul chose for himself 3,000 men of Israel; of whom 2,000 were with him in Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, while 1,000 were with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin. But he sent the rest of the people away, each one to his own tent. Christian Standard Bible He chose three thousand men from Israel for himself: two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in Bethel’s hill country, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. He sent the rest of the troops away, each to his own tent. Holman Christian Standard Bible He chose 3,000 men from Israel for himself: 2,000 were with Saul at Michmash and in Bethel’s hill country, and 1,000 were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. He sent the rest of the troops away, each to his own tent. American Standard Version Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel, whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the mount of Beth-el, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. Contemporary English Version Then he chose 3,000 men from Israel to be full-time soldiers and sent everyone else home. Two thousand of these troops stayed with him in the hills around Michmash and Bethel. The other 1,000 were stationed with Jonathan at Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin. English Revised Version And Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the mount of Beth-el, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. GOD'S WORD® Translation Saul chose 3,000 men from Israel; 2,000 of them were stationed with Saul at Michmash and in the mountains of Bethel, and 1,000 were stationed with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. But the rest of the people he sent home. Good News Translation Saul picked three thousand men, keeping two thousand of them with him in Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel and sending one thousand with his son Jonathan to Gibeah, in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin. The rest of the men Saul sent home. International Standard Version Saul chose for himself 3,000 men from Israel. There were 2,000 with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, while 1,000 were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. He had sent the rest of the people home. Majority Standard Bible He chose for himself three thousand men of Israel: Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country 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. NET Bible Saul selected for himself three thousand men from Israel. Two thousand of these were with Saul at Micmash and in the hill country of Bethel; the remaining thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin. He sent all the rest of the people back home. New Heart English Bible that Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel, of which two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the Mount of Bethel, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. Webster's Bible Translation Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; of which two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Beth-el, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. World English Bible Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel, of which two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the Mount of Bethel, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. He sent the rest of the people to their own tents. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionthen Saul chooses for himself three thousand [men] out of Israel; and two thousand are with Saul in Michmash, and in the hill-country of Beth-El; and one thousand have been with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin; and he has sent each one of the remnant of the people to his tents. Young's Literal Translation and Saul chooseth for himself three thousand men out of Israel; and two thousand are with Saul in Michmash, and in the hill-country of Beth-El; and a thousand have been with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin; and the remnant of the people he hath sent each to his tents. Smith's Literal Translation And Saul will choose to him three thousand from Israel; and two thousand will be with Saul in Michmash, and in the mount of the house of God, and a thousand were with Jonathan in the hill of Benjamin: and the remainder of the people he sent a man to his tent. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel: and two thousand were with Saul in Machmas, and in mount Bethel: and a thousand with Jonathan in Gabaa of Benjamin, and the rest of the people he sent back every man to their dwellings. Catholic Public Domain Version And Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel. And two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and at mount Bethel. Then one thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin. But the remainder of the people, he sent back, each one to his own tent. New American Bible Saul chose three thousand of Israel, of whom two thousand remained with him in Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. He sent the rest of the army back to their tents. New Revised Standard Version Saul chose three thousand out of Israel; two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin; the rest of the people he sent home to their tents. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHe then chose for himself three thousand men of Israel; two thousand were with him in Michmash and in mount Beth-el, and a thousand were with Jonathan his son in Ramtha of Benjamin; and the rest of the people he sent every man to his house. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Shaul chose for himself three thousand from Israel, and there were two thousand with Shaul in Mekmas and in the mountain of Bayth Eil, and a thousand were with Jonathan his son in Ramtha of Benyamin, and the rest of the people he sent away, each man to his house OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmas and in the mount of Beth-el, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeath-benjamin; and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Saul chooses for himself three thousand men of the men of Israel: and there were with Saul two thousand who were in Machmas, and in mount Baethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gabaa of Benjamin: and he sent the rest of the people every man to his tent. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context War with the Philistines1Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years. 2He chose for himself three thousand men of Israel: Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country 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. 3Then 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!”… Cross References 1 Samuel 14:52 And the war with the Philistines was fierce for all the days of Saul. So whenever he noticed any strong or brave man, Saul would enlist him. 1 Samuel 8:11-12 He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to serve his own chariots and horses, and to run in front of his chariots. / He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 1 Samuel 10:26 Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, and the men of valor whose hearts God had touched went with him. 1 Samuel 11:11 The next day Saul organized the troops into three divisions, and during the morning watch they invaded the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them, until the hottest part of the day. And the survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together. 1 Samuel 15:4 So Saul summoned the troops and numbered them at Telaim—200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah. 2 Samuel 2:18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle, 2 Samuel 8:15-18 Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people: / Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; / Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe; ... 2 Samuel 10:9-10 When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. / And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites. 1 Chronicles 12:1-2 Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the mighty men who helped him in battle; / they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin): 1 Chronicles 27:1 This is the list of the Israelites—the heads of families, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in every matter concerning the divisions on rotating military duty each month throughout the year. There were 24,000 men in each division: 2 Chronicles 17:12-19 Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah / and kept vast supplies in the cities of Judah. He also had warriors in Jerusalem who were mighty men of valor. / These are their numbers according to the houses of their fathers: From Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 mighty men of valor; ... 2 Chronicles 26:11-13 Uzziah had an army ready for battle that went out to war by assigned divisions, as recorded by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer under the direction of Hananiah, one of the royal officers. / The total number of family leaders of the mighty men of valor was 2,600. / Under their authority was an army of 307,500 trained for war, a powerful force to support the king against his enemies. Matthew 8:5-10 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came and pleaded with Him, / “Lord, my servant lies at home, paralyzed and in terrible agony.” / “I will go and heal him,” Jesus replied. ... Matthew 27:27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company around Him. Mark 15:16 Then the soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called the whole company together. Treasury of Scripture 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. chose 1 Samuel 8:11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. 1 Samuel 14:52 And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him. 1 Samuel 13:5,23 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… 1 Samuel 14:5,31 The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah… Isaiah 10:28 He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages: in Gibeah 1 Samuel 10:26 And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched. 1 Samuel 15:34 Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul. Joshua 18:28 And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which is Jerusalem, Gibeath, and Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families. Jump to Previous Benjamin Bethel Beth-El Chose Country Hill Israel Jonathan Michmas Michmash Mount Rest Saul Tent Thousand Three WhereofJump to Next Benjamin Bethel Beth-El Chose Country Hill Israel Jonathan Michmas Michmash Mount Rest Saul Tent Thousand Three Whereof1 Samuel 13 1. Saul's select band3. 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 He chose for himself three thousand men of Israel: This phrase indicates Saul's decision to form a standing army, a significant development in Israel's military history. Prior to this, Israel relied on ad hoc militias. The choice of three thousand men suggests a strategic move to maintain a ready force for defense and offense against the Philistines, who were a constant threat. This action reflects Saul's role as king and military leader, emphasizing the transition from a tribal confederation to a centralized monarchy. Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country 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: Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, chosen by God but later rejected due to disobedience. At this point, he is leading Israel's military efforts against the Philistines. 2. Jonathan Saul's son, known for his bravery and faith in God. He plays a significant role in Israel's military campaigns and is a close friend of David. 3. Michmash A strategic location in the hill country of Ephraim, significant for its military advantage in battles against the Philistines. 4. Bethel A town in the hill country of Ephraim, historically significant as a place of worship and encounter with God. 5. Gibeah of Benjamin Saul's hometown and the location of his royal residence, serving as a military base for Jonathan. Teaching Points Leadership and ResponsibilitySaul's decision to choose and position his troops reflects the weight of leadership. Leaders must make strategic decisions that impact the lives of many. Faith and Initiative Jonathan's role in the account encourages believers to take initiative and act in faith, trusting God for victory in challenging situations. Strategic Planning The choice of Michmash and Bethel as military positions underscores the importance of strategic planning in both spiritual and practical endeavors. Community and Individual Roles The dispersal of the rest of the people to their tents highlights the balance between communal efforts and individual responsibilities in God's work.(2) Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel.--This is a very important statement, as it tells us of the first beginning of a standing army in Israel. This was the first step towards the development of Israel into a great military power. It was Saul's military genius and foresight which enabled David and Solomon to make those great conquests which raised Israel for a time to the position of one of the greatest Eastern Powers. The really great life of Saul was frittered away in repelling what may be termed Israel's domestic enemies. such as the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites; but he left behind him a powerful and disciplined army, and a nation carefully trained to war. It has been asked, how was it, considering the position of Israel and the Philistines at that juncture--the latter people possessing evidently not a few strong places in the territories of the tribes, from whence they were in the habit of sallying forth, and harassing and pillaging the people--that Saul, instead of at once declaring war, dismissed the people gathered at Gilgal, only retaining so few? The probability is that Saul, with true military instinct, saw that Israel was at this period by no means trained or armed to undertake a regular war with such an enemy. He therefore adopted the wise course here related. Whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash.--Michmash was a position strongly situated at the head of a pass some nine miles north-east of Jerusalem. The "one thousand" he placed under the command of his son Jonathan, and stationed them in the neighbourhood of his old home, where he would have the benefit of the aid of his family and kinsfolk. This is the first mention of the gallant and chivalrous prince, the story of whose unbroken and romantic friendship with David is one of the most touching episodes of these books. "If the substance of this narrative was written in David's reign, we may perhaps see the effect of David's generous and loving nature in the care taken to give Jonathan his due place of honour in the history."--Speaker's Commentary. Verse 2. - Saul chose him. Literally, "And Saul chose him," the usual way of commencing the narrative of a king's reign. He probably selected these 3000 men at the end of the war with the Ammonites, to strengthen the small bodyguard which he had gathered round him at Gibeah (1 Samuel 10:26). As being always in arms, they would become highly disciplined, and form the nucleus and centre of all future military operations (see on 1 Samuel 14:52). He stationed these on either side of the defile in the mountain range of Bethel, so exactly described in Isaiah 10:28, 29, where Sennacherib, as we read, leaves his carriage, i.e. his baggage, at Michmash, and after defiling through the pass, arrives at Geba. Gibeah, where Jonathan was posted with 1000 of these picked warriors, was Saul's home, and his son would have the benefit there of the aid of Kish and Abner, while Michmash was the more exposed place, situate about seven miles northeast of Jerusalem. Conder ('Tent Work,' 2:110) describes this defile as "a narrow gorge with vertical precipices some 800 feet high - a great crack or fissure in the country, which is peculiar in this respect, that you only become aware of its existence when close to the brink; for on the north the narrow spur of hills hides it, and on the south a flat plateau extends to the top of the crags. On the south side of this great chasm stands Geba of Benjamin, on a rocky knoll, with caverns beneath the houses, and arable land to the east; and on the opposite side, considerably lower than Geba, is the little village of Michmash, on a sort of saddle, backed by an open and fertile corn valley. This valley was famous for producing excellent barley. Every man to his tent. This with us would be a warlike phrase; but as the mass of the Israelites then dwelt in tents, it means simply their dispersion homewards; and so the Syriac translates, "He dismissed them each to his house" (see Psalm 69:25).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew He choseוַיִּבְחַר־ (way·yiḇ·ḥar-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 977: To try, select for himself ל֨וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew three שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת (šə·lō·šeṯ) Number - masculine singular construct Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice thousand [men] אֲלָפִים֮ (’ă·lā·p̄îm) Number - masculine plural Strong's 505: A thousand of Israel: מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל֒ (mî·yiś·rā·’êl) Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc Two thousand אַלְפַּ֗יִם (’al·pa·yim) Number - md Strong's 505: A thousand were וַיִּהְי֨וּ (way·yih·yū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be with עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with Saul שָׁא֜וּל (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites at Michmash בְּמִכְמָשׂ֙ (bə·miḵ·māś) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4363: Michmash -- a city in Benjamin and in the hill country וּבְהַ֣ר (ū·ḇə·har) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country of Bethel, אֵ֔ל (’êl) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1008: Bethel -- 'house of God', a city in Ephraim, also a place in southern Judah and a thousand וְאֶ֗לֶף (wə·’e·lep̄) Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular Strong's 505: A thousand were הָיוּ֙ (hā·yū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be with עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with Jonathan י֣וֹנָתָ֔ן (yō·w·nā·ṯān) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3129: Jonathan in Gibeah בְּגִבְעַ֖ת (bə·ḡiḇ·‘aṯ) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1390: Gibeah -- 'hill', three cities in Palestine of Benjamin. בִּנְיָמִ֑ין (bin·yā·mîn) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites And the rest וְיֶ֣תֶר (wə·ye·ṯer) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3499: An overhanging, an excess, superiority, remainder, a small rope of the troops הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock he sent away, שִׁלַּ֖ח (šil·laḥ) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out each אִ֥ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person to his own [home]. לְאֹהָלָֽיו׃ (lə·’ō·hā·lāw) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 168: A tent Links 1 Samuel 13:2 NIV1 Samuel 13:2 NLT 1 Samuel 13:2 ESV 1 Samuel 13:2 NASB 1 Samuel 13:2 KJV 1 Samuel 13:2 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 13:2 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 13:2 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 13:2 French Bible 1 Samuel 13:2 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 13:2 Saul chose him three thousand men (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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