Saul Offers the Sacrifice

Saul chose three thousand men from Israel. Two thousand stayed with Saul at Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and one thousand stayed with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin. Jonathan struck a Philistine garrison at Geba. Then Saul had a trumpet blown through the land, and the people gathered to him at Gilgal.

The Philistines gathered to fight Israel with a huge force of chariots, horsemen, and countless troops. They camped at Michmash, east of Beth Aven. The Israelites were distressed and afraid. Some hid in caves, thickets, rocks, tombs, and pits. Some crossed the Jordan into Gad and Gilead. Saul remained at Gilgal, and the people with him trembled.

Saul waited seven days, according to the time Samuel had set. But Samuel had not come to Gilgal, and Saul's people were scattering. So Saul ordered the burnt offering and peace offerings to be brought, and he offered the burnt offering.

As soon as Saul finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to greet him. Samuel asked what he had done. Saul answered that the people were leaving, Samuel had not come within the appointed days, and the Philistines were gathered at Michmash. Saul said he felt compelled to seek the Lord's favour before the Philistines came down against him.

Samuel said Saul had acted foolishly and had not kept the command of the Lord. He said the Lord would have established Saul's kingdom over Israel, but now his kingdom would not continue. The Lord had sought a man after his own heart to be prince over his people. After Samuel left, Saul counted those still with him, about six hundred men.

Saul, Jonathan, and the people with them stayed at Geba of Benjamin, while the Philistines camped at Michmash. Raiders came out in three companies. There was no blacksmith in Israel, so the Israelites had to go to the Philistines to sharpen their tools. On the day of battle, no sword or spear was found with the people who were with Saul and Jonathan, except with Saul and Jonathan themselves.