1 Samuel 13:1-7 – The Crisis That Develops
The newly crowned King Saul begins to develop a standing army of 3,000 chosen men, splitting them between himself and his son Jonathan. Jonathan defeats the Philistine outpost that was in Saul’s own backyard of Gibeah (Geba in verse 3 is either an alternative spelling or a nearby area). Saul trumpets his victory (verse 3). He uses the word “Hebrews” for Israel, which seems to have been used of them in a offensive way by the Philistines. Saul is saying: “Here’s what we ‘Hebrews’ can do!” The Philistines hear (verse 3) and Israel hears (verse 4). They hear of Saul’s victory, and also that they have become a stench in the nostrils of the Philistines. Trouble is brewing. They muster to their King at Gilgal (verse 4), perhaps in optimism, hope, or joy, but things quickly sour. The Philistines muster in 30,000 chariots, 6,000 cavalry and innumerable troops (verse 5). It is an overwhelming display of power right in the middle of Israelite territory. Saul has provoked a sleeping giant, and Israel now finds herself in a tight spot; they are hard pressed and take to hiding in caves, holes, and tombs. Some even flee across the Jordan River, like they are fleeing the Promised Land. The ones that stay with Saul at Gilgal are trembling with fear (verse 7).
Israel is in great trouble: the Philistines are a more developed nation, better equipped, bigger, and more powerful. The Philistines have the technological advantage (13:19-23). Of the Israelites, only Jonathan and Saul have iron swords, since the Philistines had not shared the secret of turning iron into steel. The Israelite army are likely only equipped with shorter bronze swords. Furthermore, chariots were like tanks. To have 30,000 arrayed against them is staggering. Israel are outnumbered and out-equipped. But they have God.
Saul is not the first leader of God’s people to be hugely outnumbered – think of Gideon (Judges 7). Nor will he be the last to be unnerved by the scale of the foes around him – think of Paul in Corinth (1 Corinthians 2:3; Acts 18:9-10). It has always been so for God’s people in the world. So we don’t wait for the battle odds to turn in our favour; we wait on the God who defies the odds.
Questions
- Do you find yourself unnerved by the scale of the foes around us in our culture?
- How has Satan been displaying his strength to you in recent days?
Prayer Points
- Pray for confident faith in the midst of developing crises.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.