1 Samuel 15:4

And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.

And Saul {H7586} gathered {H8085} the people {H5971} together {H8085}, and numbered {H6485} them in Telaim {H2923}, two hundred {H3967} thousand {H505} footmen {H7273}, and ten {H6235} thousand {H505} men {H376} of Judah {H3063}.

Sha'ul summoned the people and reviewed them in T'la'im - 200,000 foot soldiers, with another 10,000 men from Y'hudah.

So Saul summoned the troops and numbered them at Telaimโ€”200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah.

And Saul summoned the people, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.

Commentary

1 Samuel 15:4 describes King Saul's initial act of gathering the Israelite forces in preparation for a divinely commanded military campaign. This verse sets the stage for a critical moment in Saul's reign, testing his obedience to God.

Context

This verse immediately follows the Lord's clear and severe command to Saul through the prophet Samuel: to utterly destroy the Amalekites, including all their livestock, as retribution for their ambush of Israel during the Exodus journey (1 Samuel 15:3). The Amalekites had long been an enemy of Israel, and God had previously declared His intention to blot out their memory (Exodus 17:14; Deuteronomy 25:17-19). Saul's gathering of such a massive army โ€“ 200,000 footmen and 10,000 men from the tribe of Judah โ€“ in Telaim (likely a location in the southern Negev suitable for such a muster) demonstrates his immediate, albeit ultimately partial, compliance with the divine directive.

Key Themes

  • Military Mobilization: The verse highlights Saul's capacity as a military leader, assembling a formidable army. The large numbers underscore the scale of the impending conflict and Israel's readiness for war under its first king.
  • Initial Obedience: Saulโ€™s swift action in gathering the troops shows an outward act of obedience to God's specific command. This initial compliance is crucial, though the narrative quickly reveals his subsequent failure to fully adhere to the instructions.
  • Distinction of Judah: The separate mention of "ten thousand men of Judah" is noteworthy. It suggests the numerical strength and perhaps the distinct identity or prominence of the tribe of Judah, which would later become the royal tribe through David. This foreshadows Judah's significant role in Israel's future.
  • Divine Mandate: The entire chapter revolves around a direct command from God. This verse is the first step in the human response to that mandate, setting the stage for the consequences of obedience or disobedience.

Linguistic Insights

The term "numbered them" (Hebrew: paqad - ืคืงื“) often implies more than just a simple count; it can also carry the nuance of "mustering," "visiting," or "taking account of" in a military or administrative sense. Saul was taking a census of his fighting force, ensuring readiness for the campaign. The location, "Telaim" (ื˜ืœืื™ื), is sometimes associated with "young lambs," possibly indicating a pastoral region in the Judean wilderness or Negev suitable for large encampments.

Practical Application

This verse, while seemingly a straightforward account of military logistics, serves as a powerful preamble to a profound lesson on obedience. It reminds us that:

  • Partial obedience is not true obedience: Saul outwardly obeyed by gathering the army, but his later actions demonstrated a lack of full submission to God's will. This highlights the importance of wholehearted obedience in our own lives, not just superficial compliance.
  • God's commands often require significant effort: Fulfilling God's purposes, whether individually or corporately, may demand considerable mobilization of resources, time, and people.
  • God's sovereign plans unfold through human actions: Even when human actions are flawed, God's greater purposes, like the eventual establishment of the Davidic dynasty (foreshadowed by the men of Judah), continue to progress. Saul's subsequent failure to fully obey led to his rejection as king (1 Samuel 15:23), paving the way for David.
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Cross-References

  • Joshua 15:24 (3 votes)

    Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,

  • 1 Samuel 11:8 (2 votes)

    And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

  • 1 Samuel 13:15 (2 votes)

    ยถ 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.