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hiding at Gilgal

1 Samuel 13:1-7 (JDV)

1 Samuel 13:1 Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty-two years over Israel.
1 Samuel 13:2 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.
1 Samuel 13:3 Jonathan attacked the Philistine garrison that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. So, Saul blew the ram’s horn throughout the land saying, “Hebrews, listen!”
1 Samuel 13:4 And all Israel heard the news, “Saul has attacked the Philistine garrison, and Israel is now repulsive to the Philistines.” Then the troops were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.
1 Samuel 13:5 The Philistines also gathered to fight against Israel: 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.
1 Samuel 13:6 The men of Israel saw that they were in trouble because the troops were in a difficult situation. They hid in caves, in thickets, among boulders, and in holes and cisterns.
1 Samuel 13:7 Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul, however, was still at Gilgal, and all his troops were gripped with fear.

hiding at Gilgal

Saul and his men were waiting at Gilgal for Samuel to arrive, but they were growing desperate. Jonathan’s men attacked the garrison at Geba, so they knew that the Philistines were enraged and would attack at any time. So they hid and waited. But some had already begun to desert their posts and cross the Jordon, seeking safety. The promises that the people had made to fear God and follow him exclusively seemed as empty words in their minds compared to the fear of the Philistines that was now gripping them. This desperate situation would prove Saul’s leadership. Would he compromise? Would he go beyond what Samuel had requested of him? Stay tuned. Tomorrow we will see.