1 Samuel 13:1

KJV

¶ Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,

KJV (with Strong's)

Saul {H7586} reigned {H4427} one year {H1121}{H8141}; and when he had reigned {H4427} two {H8147} years {H8141} over Israel {H3478},

Complete Jewish Bible

Sha'ul was - years old when he began his reign, and he had ruled Isra'el for two years,

Berean Standard Bible

Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years.

American Standard Version

Saul wasfortyyears old when he began to reign; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse, 1 Samuel 13:1, serves as a notoriously challenging chronological marker in the narrative of Saul's kingship. Its enigmatic phrasing in the Masoretic Text has led to significant scholarly debate, likely indicating either a textual corruption, an omission of Saul's age at the beginning of his reign, or a highly condensed summary of his initial period of rule. Despite its textual complexities, the verse functions narratively to transition the reader from Saul's initial anointing and acclamation to the critical period of his reign, setting the stage for the escalating conflict with the Philistines and the pivotal test of his obedience that immediately follows.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Samuel 13:1 opens a pivotal chapter in the unfolding drama of Israel's monarchy, immediately following Saul's initial victories and the consolidation of his rule after being chosen by God and affirmed by the people ([1 Samuel 10:1](/1_samuel/10-1 "1 Samuel 10:1 - Saul Anointed") and [1 Samuel 10:24](/1_samuel/10-24 "1 Samuel 10:24 - People Acclaim Saul")). The preceding chapters detail his anointing, the Spirit of the Lord coming upon him, and his leadership in delivering Jabesh-Gilead from the Ammonites, which solidified his position as king. This verse acts as a chronological bridge, ushering in a new phase of Saul's reign, one marked by significant military confrontation with the Philistines and, more critically, a profound test of his obedience to God's prophet, Samuel. The events that immediately follow in [1 Samuel 13:2-15](/1_samuel/13-2 "1 Samuel 13:2-15 - Saul's Disobedience") detail Saul's rash act of offering a burnt offering, a priestly function forbidden to him, leading directly to Samuel's pronouncement of the rejection of his dynasty.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the early monarchy in Israel was characterized by constant external threats, primarily from the Philistines, who were a formidable military power with superior iron technology (as noted in [1 Samuel 13:19-22](/1_samuel/13-19 "1 Samuel 13:19-22 - Philistine Iron Monopoly")). Israel, a nascent kingdom, was still developing its military and administrative structures. The Philistines maintained garrisons within Israelite territory, exerting control and suppressing Israelite military capabilities. Saul's kingship was, in large part, a response to this existential threat, as the people desired a king "to go out before us and fight our battles" ([1 Samuel 8:20](/1_samuel/8-20 "1 Samuel 8:20 - Israel Demands a King")). Culturally, the role of the king was still being defined, with a delicate balance of power between the monarch, the prophet (Samuel), and the divine will. The king was expected to be a leader in battle and a faithful steward of God's covenant, not to usurp priestly functions.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, despite its brevity and textual difficulty, contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Samuel. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **textual ambiguity and transmission**, reminding readers that ancient biblical texts, while divinely inspired, were copied by human hands and can present challenges in reconstruction. Secondly, it underscores the **establishment and testing of the monarchy**. Saul's reign, though divinely initiated, is immediately plunged into trials, demonstrating that leadership, especially divinely appointed leadership, comes with immense responsibility and immediate challenges. The verse sets the stage for the crucial theme of **obedience versus disobedience**, as Saul's actions in the subsequent verses directly lead to the unraveling of his kingdom and the divine search for "a man after His own heart" ([1 Samuel 13:14](/1_samuel/13-14 "1 Samuel 13:14 - God Seeks a New King")). Finally, it emphasizes the **ongoing Philistine threat**, which serves as the primary catalyst for many of the narrative's key events and tests of Saul's character.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **בן שנה (Hebrew, _ben shanah'_):** Literally "son of a year." This phrase is typically used to denote age, meaning "one year old." When applied to a king's reign, it would usually be followed by the king's age at accession. For example, "X was [thirty] years old when he began to reign..." Its presence here without a preceding number for Saul's age, and followed by "reigned two years," creates the textual difficulty. Scholars widely agree that a numeral indicating Saul's age at the start of his reign has likely fallen out of the Masoretic Text, making the phrase incomplete or corrupted. The Septuagint (LXX) and some other ancient versions attempt to supply a number, but these are speculative.
* **ושתי שנים (Hebrew, _u'shtey shanim'_):** Literally "and two years." This phrase is less ambiguous grammatically, meaning "and two years." The debate centers on *what* these two years refer to. The most widely accepted scholarly interpretation is that this phrase indicates the duration of Saul's reign *up to the point of the events described in 1 Samuel 13*, specifically his act of disobedience. This would mean that the critical events of chapter 13, which lead to the rejection of his dynasty, occur two years into his kingship, rather than referring to the total length of his reign (which was much longer, likely 40 years according to [Acts 13:21](/acts/13-21 "Acts 13:21 - Saul's Reign Duration")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Saul reigned one year;":** This initial clause presents the primary textual enigma. The Hebrew text literally reads "Saul was a son of a year in his reigning." As discussed in the key word analysis, this is widely understood as an incomplete phrase, likely missing a number indicating Saul's age when he became king. Without this number, the KJV's rendering of "reigned one year" is an interpretive attempt to make sense of the fragmented Hebrew, suggesting a very brief initial period. However, this interpretation clashes with the subsequent clause and the overall narrative, which depicts a longer, more established reign before the events of this chapter. The consensus points to a lacuna (missing text) in the Masoretic Text.
* **"and when he had reigned two years over Israel,":** This second clause, "and two years he reigned over Israel," is grammatically clearer but still subject to interpretive debate regarding its referent. Given the context of the entire chapter, the most plausible interpretation is that this marks the point in time, two years into Saul's reign, when the significant events of chapter 13 — the Philistine conflict and Saul's critical act of disobedience — take place. It serves as a chronological marker for the *beginning of the major turning point* in Saul's kingship, rather than the total duration of his rule. This interpretation provides a coherent narrative flow, indicating that after two years, Saul faced a defining test that would determine the future of his dynasty.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily functions as a **Chronological Marker**, attempting to situate the narrative events of 1 Samuel 13 within the timeline of Saul's reign. However, due to its textual corruption or ambiguity, it also exemplifies **Ellipsis**, where information (likely Saul's age at accession) has been omitted or lost from the Masoretic Text, creating a gap in the precise historical detail. This textual anomaly also introduces a degree of **Foreshadowing**, as the very difficulty of the verse subtly hints at the turbulent and ultimately truncated nature of Saul's reign, which would not last as a stable dynasty. The abruptness and ambiguity of the opening statement, especially in the KJV, reflect the instability and challenges that would soon define Saul's kingship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While 1 Samuel 13:1 presents a textual puzzle, its presence in the biblical canon underscores profound theological truths about divine inspiration and human transmission. The fact that minor textual difficulties exist does not undermine the Bible's authority or truthfulness; rather, it highlights the reality of its historical transmission and the care with which it has been preserved. The verse, despite its ambiguity, effectively sets the stage for a critical theological theme: the testing of leadership and the absolute necessity of obedience to God's revealed will. Saul's failure, which immediately follows this chronological marker, serves as a stark reminder that even divinely appointed leaders are accountable to God's commands, and disobedience carries severe consequences for both the individual and the nation. It also subtly introduces the theme of divine sovereignty in choosing and rejecting kings, a theme that will culminate in David's anointing.

* [Deuteronomy 17:14-20](/deuteronomy/17-14 "Deuteronomy 17:14-20 - Laws Concerning Kingship")
* [1 Samuel 15:22-23](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22-23 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The textual challenge of 1 Samuel 13:1 invites us to consider the nature of biblical inspiration and the process of textual transmission. It reminds us that while the Bible is the infallible Word of God in its original autographs, its journey through history involved human scribes, leading to occasional minor variations or ambiguities, none of which obscure its central message of salvation and God's character. For the believer, this verse serves as a narrative gateway to a crucial lesson in leadership and obedience. Saul's early reign, marked by this chronological pivot, quickly descends into a crisis of faith and authority. We are called to learn from his example: that true leadership is characterized not merely by power or position, but by humble and unwavering obedience to God's commands. Our "two years" – the initial period of our call or new responsibility – are often when our character is most profoundly tested, and our foundational commitments are revealed. This verse, therefore, is a call to vigilance, reminding us that even after initial successes, the most significant tests of faith often lie just ahead, demanding our full reliance on God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the textual ambiguity of this verse affect your understanding of biblical inspiration or inerrancy?**
* **What does Saul's immediate test of obedience after "two years" of reigning teach us about the ongoing nature of spiritual growth and leadership?**
* **In what areas of your life might God be testing your obedience, even after a period of initial success or blessing?**

### FAQ
**Why is 1 Samuel 13:1 so difficult to interpret in the King James Version?**

Answer: The difficulty in 1 Samuel 13:1 stems from the underlying Hebrew Masoretic Text (MT). The first part of the verse, "Saul reigned one year," translates a Hebrew phrase that literally means "Saul was a son of a year in his reigning." This is an incomplete construction, as it typically requires a number indicating the king's age at the start of his reign (e.g., "Saul was [X] years old when he began to reign..."). It is widely believed that a number has fallen out of the text during transmission. The second part, "and when he had reigned two years over Israel," is grammatically sound, but its relationship to the first clause and the overall length of Saul's reign (which was much longer than two years, as indicated in [Acts 13:21](/acts/13-21 "Acts 13:21 - Saul's Reign Duration")) creates confusion. Most scholars interpret the "two years" as marking the duration of his reign *up to the point* of the critical events described in [1 Samuel 13](/1_samuel/13 "1 Samuel 13 - Saul's Disobedience and Philistine War"), particularly his act of disobedience. This makes the KJV's rendering seem contradictory and incomplete.

**Does the textual issue in 1 Samuel 13:1 undermine the Bible's reliability?**

Answer: No, the textual issue in 1 Samuel 13:1 does not undermine the Bible's overall reliability or divine inspiration. This is a minor scribal difficulty, likely a missing numeral, which does not affect any core doctrine or the central narrative of God's redemptive plan. Such textual variants are common in ancient manuscripts of all kinds, and biblical scholarship, through the discipline of textual criticism, works to reconstruct the most probable original text by comparing various ancient manuscripts (like the Septuagint, Dead Sea Scrolls, etc.). The overwhelming majority of the biblical text is clear and well-attested. The presence of such a minor ambiguity in no way diminishes the Bible's authority as the infallible Word of God, which perfectly accomplishes its purpose of revealing God and guiding humanity to salvation. The essential message and historical truth of Saul's reign, his rise, his failures, and God's sovereign hand are fully preserved.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Samuel 13:1 is a historical marker in the life of Israel's first king, it subtly points forward to the ultimate King, Jesus Christ. Saul's reign, though divinely initiated, quickly faltered due to his disobedience, leading to the rejection of his dynasty and the search for "a man after His own heart" ([1 Samuel 13:14](/1_samuel/13-14 "1 Samuel 13:14 - God Seeks a New King")). This foreshadows the need for a perfect King, one who would not fail in obedience. Jesus, the true Son of David, did not begin His reign with a period of uncertainty or a test of obedience that He would fail. From His very incarnation, He was perfectly obedient to the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Unlike Saul, whose kingship was marked by human weakness and eventual rejection, Christ's kingdom is eternal and unshakable ([Hebrews 1:8](/hebrews/1-8 "Hebrews 1:8 - Christ's Eternal Throne")). The textual ambiguity of 1 Samuel 13:1, highlighting the imperfection of human kingship, serves to magnify the flawless and eternally perfect reign of the King of kings, whose "years" of rule are from everlasting to everlasting ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes Christ's")). He is the one whose authority and reign are never in question, and whose obedience secured salvation for all who believe ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of One Makes Many Righteous")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 12:5

Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take [it] out from the sheep, or from the goats:

Micah 6:6

¶ Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, [and] bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?