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1 Samuel 13:15

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¶ And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people [that were] present with him, about six hundred men.

And Samuel {H8050} arose {H6965}, and gat him up {H5927} from Gilgal {H1537} unto Gibeah {H1390} of Benjamin {H1144}. And Saul {H7586} numbered {H6485} the people {H5971} that were present {H4672} with him, about six {H8337} hundred {H3967} men {H376}.

Then Sh'mu'el left Gilgal and went up to Giv'at-Binyamin. Sha'ul counted how many were still there with him, about 600 men.

Then Samuel set out from Gilgal and went up to Gibeah in Benjamin. And Saul numbered the troops who were with him, about six hundred men.

And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.

Commentary

1 Samuel 13:15 describes a critical moment in the early reign of King Saul, immediately following his act of disobedience at Gilgal. The verse highlights Samuel's departure and the dramatic reduction of Saul's fighting force, setting the stage for future events.

Context

This verse takes place at Gilgal, a significant location in Israel's history, where Saul had previously been confirmed as king (1 Samuel 11:15). The immediate backdrop is the ongoing conflict with the Philistines, who had assembled a formidable army. King Saul, under immense pressure and fearing the dispersion of his own troops, rashly offered a burnt offering and peace offerings himself, rather than waiting for Samuel as commanded (1 Samuel 10:8). Samuel's arrival and subsequent rebuke of King Saul for his impatient and disobedient act culminates in the declaration that Saul's kingdom would not endure (1 Samuel 13:14).

After this devastating pronouncement, Samuel departs. The verse then details the meager state of Saul's army: from what was likely a larger initial force, only "about six hundred men" remained. This drastic reduction reflects either desertion due to fear of the Philistines, or perhaps the direct consequence of God's disfavor, leaving Saul in a highly vulnerable position.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Disobedience: Saul's impatience and disregard for God's clear command, delivered through Samuel, immediately lead to severe repercussions. The dwindling of his army is an immediate, tangible consequence of his spiritual failure.
  • Divine Judgment: The reduction in Saul's fighting men can be understood as a direct manifestation of God's displeasure and judgment upon his king. It highlights that even kings are accountable to God's authority.
  • Leadership Under Pressure: Saul's actions reveal a fundamental flaw in his leadership—a lack of faith and patience under duress. True leadership, as demonstrated throughout Scripture, involves trusting God's timing and methods, even when circumstances are dire.
  • Vulnerability and Dependence: With only 600 men, Saul's position against the Philistines becomes incredibly precarious, emphasizing Israel's desperate need for divine intervention and reminding them of their ultimate dependence on God, not on military might.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "numbered the people" (KJV) simply means Saul counted his remaining forces. There isn't a complex Hebrew term here; the significance lies entirely in the drastically small number: "about six hundred men." This small figure contrasts sharply with the earlier large Israelite forces and underscores the dire military situation and Saul's diminished authority.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 13:15 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Patience and Trust in God's Timing: Like Saul, we often face situations that demand immediate action. This verse reminds us of the importance of waiting on God and trusting His perfect timing, rather than acting out of impatience or fear.
  • The Weight of Disobedience: Even seemingly small acts of disobedience can have far-reaching consequences. Our willingness to follow God's commands, even when difficult, is crucial for spiritual well-being and effective leadership.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Outcomes: Regardless of our strategic planning or perceived strength, God ultimately controls the outcomes. Saul's reduced army underscores that human efforts are futile without divine blessing.

This passage serves as a sober reminder that genuine faith involves obedience, even when the path is uncertain, and that the consequences of straying from God's will can be profound.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 14:2 (5 votes)

    And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which [is] in Migron: and the people that [were] with him [were] about six hundred men;

  • 1 Samuel 13:2 (5 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Samuel 13:6 (3 votes)

    When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

  • 1 Samuel 13:7 (3 votes)

    And [some of] the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he [was] yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.