Saul Rules Over Israel
1 Saul reigned a year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,
1 Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,
1 Saul was (a)thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned (b)forty two years over Israel.
1 Saul was 30 years old when he began to reign, and he ruled for 42 years over Israel.
2 Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel, of which two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the Mount of Bethel, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
2 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.
2 Now Saul chose for himself 3,000 men of Israel, of which 2,000 were with Saul in (A)Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, while 1,000 were with Jonathan at (B)Gibeah of Benjamin. But he sent away the rest of the people, each to his tent.
2 He chose 3,000 men from Israel for himself: 2,000 were with Saul at Michmash(A) and in Bethel’s hill country, and 1,000 were with Jonathan in Gibeah(B) of Benjamin. He sent the rest of the troops away, each to his own tent.
2 Saul chose for himself 3,000 men from Israel. There were 2,000 with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, while 1,000 were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. He had sent the rest of the people home.
3 Jonathan struck the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba: and the Philistines heard of it. Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, "Let the Hebrews hear."
3 And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
3 Jonathan smote (C)the garrison of the Philistines that was in (D)Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. Then Saul (E)blew the trumpet throughout the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear.”
3 Jonathan attacked the Philistine garrison(d)(C) that was in Geba,(D) and the Philistines heard about it. So Saul blew the ram’s horn throughout the land(E) saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!”(e)(F)
3 Jonathan attacked the Philistine garrison in Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. Saul blew the trumpet throughout the land: "Listen, Hebrews!"
4 All Israel heard that Saul had struck the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel was had in abomination with the Philistines. The people were gathered together after Saul to Gilgal.
4 And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.
4 All Israel heard (c)the news that Saul had smitten the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel (F)had become odious to the Philistines. The people were then summoned (d)to Saul at Gilgal.
4 And all Israel heard the news, “Saul has attacked the Philistine garrison,(f) and Israel is now repulsive to the Philistines.” Then the troops were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.
4 All Israel heard the report, "Saul has attacked the Philistine garrison and Israel has also become repulsive to the Philistines." Then the people were summoned to Saul at Gilgal.
Saul's Blunder
5 The Philistines assembled themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude: and they came up, and encamped in Michmash, eastward of Beth Aven.
5 And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.
5 Now the Philistines assembled to fight with Israel, 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen, and (G)people like the sand which is on the seashore in abundance; and they came up and camped in Michmash, east of (H)Beth-aven.
5 The Philistines also gathered to fight against Israel: 3,000(g) chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore.(G) They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.(h)(H)
5 The Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with 30,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and people as numerous as the sand on the seashore. And they advanced and camped in Michmash, east of Beth-aven.
6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were distressed), then the people hid themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in coverts, and in pits.
6 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.
6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were hard-pressed), then (I)the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in cliffs, in cellars, and in pits.
6 The men of Israel saw that they were in trouble because the troops were in a difficult situation. They hid in caves, thickets, among rocks, and in holes and cisterns.(I)
6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in distress (for the people were in difficult circumstances), the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in crags, in tombs, and in pits.
7 Now some of the Hebrews had gone over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead; but as for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
7 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.
7 Also some of the Hebrews crossed the Jordan into the land of (J)Gad and Gilead. But as for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
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.
7 Hebrews went across the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead, but Saul remained in Gilgal, and all the people followed him, trembling.
Saul's Unlawful Sacrifice
8 He stayed seven days, according to the time set by Samuel: but Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
8 And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
8 Now (K)he waited seven days, according to the appointed time set by Samuel, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattering from him.
8 He waited seven days for the appointed time that Samuel had set,(J) but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and the troops were deserting him.
8 Saul waited seven days for the appointment set by Samuel. When Samuel did not arrive at Gilgal, as the people began to scatter from Saul,
9 Saul said, "Bring here the burnt offering to me, and the peace offerings." He offered the burnt offering.
9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
9 So Saul said, “Bring to me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.” And (L)he offered the burnt offering.
9 So Saul said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” Then he offered the burnt offering.
9 Saul said, "Bring the burnt offering and the peace offering to me," and he offered the burnt offering.
10 It came to pass that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him.
10 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
10 As soon as he finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and (M)Saul went out to meet him and to (e)greet him.
10 Just as he finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. So Saul went out to greet him,
10 Just as he finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to meet and greet him.
11 Samuel said, "What have you done?" Saul said, "Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines assembled themselves together at Michmash;
11 And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
11 But Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that (N)the Philistines were assembling at Michmash,
11 and Samuel asked, “What have you done?”Saul answered, “When I saw that the troops were deserting me and you didn’t come within the appointed days and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash,
11 Samuel said, "What have you done?"
12 therefore I said, 'Now the Philistines will come down on me to Gilgal, and I haven't entreated the favor of the LORD.' I forced myself therefore, and offered the burnt offering."
12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
12 therefore I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not asked the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering.”
12 I thought: The Philistines will now descend on me at Gilgal, and I haven’t sought the Lord’s favor. So I forced myself to offer the burnt offering.”
12 Saul replied, "When? I saw that the people were scattering from me, that you didn't come at the appointed time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Michmash. I thought, "The Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal but I've not sought the favor of the LORD,' so I forced myself to offer the burnt offering."
13 Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which he commanded you; for now the LORD would have established your kingdom on Israel forever.
13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
13 Samuel said to Saul, “(O)You have acted foolishly; (P)you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, for now the Lord would have established your kingdom (f)over Israel (Q)forever.
13 Samuel said to Saul, “You have been foolish.(K) You have not kept the command which the Lord your God gave you.(L) It was at this time that the Lord would have permanently established your reign over Israel,(M)
13 Then Samuel told Saul, "You have acted foolishly. You haven't obeyed the commandment of the LORD your God, which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever,
14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for himself a man after his own heart, and the LORD has appointed him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept that which the LORD commanded you."
14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
14 But (R)now your kingdom shall not endure. (S)The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”
14 but now your reign will not endure.(N) The Lord has found a man loyal to Him,(i)(O) and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not done what the Lord commanded.”
14 but now your kingdom won't be established. The LORD has sought for himself a man after his own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as Commander-in-Chief over his people because you didn't obey that which the LORD commanded you."
Israel's Military Disadvantage
15 And Samuel arose and departed from Gilgal, and the rest of the people went up after Saul to meet him after the men of war, when they had come up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people who were present with him, about six hundred men.
15 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.
15 Then Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal to (T)Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul (g)numbered the people who were present with him, (U)about six hundred men.
15 Then Samuel went(j) from Gilgal to Gibeah in Benjamin. Saul registered the troops who were with him, about 600 men.
15 Then Samuel got up and went from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. Saul mustered the people present with him, about 600 men.
Hard Times For Israel
16 Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people who were present with them, stayed in Geba of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
16 And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
16 Now Saul and his son Jonathan and the people who were present with them were staying in (V)Geba of Benjamin while the Philistines camped at Michmash.
16 Saul, his son Jonathan, and the troops who were with them were staying in Geba(P) of Benjamin, and the Philistines were camped at Michmash.
16 Saul, his son Jonathan, and the people present with them remained in Geba of Benjamin, while the Philistines camped in Michmash.
17 The spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned to the way that leads to Ophrah, to the land of Shual;
17 And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:
17 And (W)the (h)raiders came from the camp of the Philistines in three (i)companies: one (j)company turned (k)toward (X)Ophrah, to the land of Shual,
17 Raiding parties(Q) went out from the Philistine camp in three divisions. One division headed toward the Ophrah(R) road leading to the land of Shual.
17 Raiders went out of the Philistine camp in three companies. One company turned in the direction of Ophrah, to the land of Shual,
18 and another company turned the way to Beth Horon; and another company turned the way of the border that looks down on the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
18 And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
18 and another (l)company turned (m)toward (Y)Beth-horon, and another (n)company turned (o)toward the border which overlooks the valley of (Z)Zeboim toward the wilderness.
18 The next division headed toward the Beth-horon(S) road, and the last division headed down the border road that looks out over the Valley of Zeboim(T) toward the wilderness.
18 one company turned in the direction of Beth-horon, while the one company turned toward the border that overlooks the valley of Zeboiim toward the desert.
19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, "Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears";
19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
19 Now (AA)no blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make (p)(AB)swords or spears.”
19 No blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel,(U) because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise, the Hebrews will make swords or spears.”
19 No blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel because the Philistines thought, "This will keep the Hebrews from making swords or spears."
20 but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his plowshare, mattock, axe, and sickle;
20 But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.
20 So all Israel went down to the Philistines, each to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, and his hoe.
20 So all the Israelites went to the Philistines to sharpen their plows, mattocks, axes, and sickles.(k)
20 Everyone in Israel would have to go to the Philistines so each person could sharpen his plow, his mattock, his axe, and his sickle.
21 yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the plowshares, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to set the goads.
21 Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.
21 The charge was (q)two-thirds of a shekel for the plowshares, the mattocks, the forks, and the axes, and to fix the hoes.
21 The price was two-thirds of a shekel(l) for plows and mattocks, and one-third of a shekel for pitchforks and axes, and for putting a point on an oxgoad.
21 The charge was one pin for plows, mattocks, three pronged forks, and axes, or for setting the goads.
22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
22 So it came about on the day of battle that (AC)neither sword nor spear was found in the hands of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan, but they were found with Saul and his son Jonathan.
22 So on the day of battle not a sword or spear could be found in the hand of any of the troops who were with Saul(V) and Jonathan; only Saul and his son Jonathan had weapons.
22 On the day of battle, none of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan were armed with swords or spears, but Saul and his son Jonathan did have them.