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Saul Makes a Terrible Mistake
This chapter is based on 1 Samuel 13; 14.
After the assembly at Gilgal, Saul disbanded the army that had
come together at his call to overthrow the Ammonites. This was
a serious error. His army was filled with hope and courage by the
recent victory. If he had moved at once against other enemies of
Israel, he could have struck a mighty blow for the freedom of the
nation.
Meanwhile, the Philistines were active. They had still kept some
hill fortresses in Israel, and now they established themselves in the
very heart of the country. During their long oppressive rule, the
Philistines had tried to strengthen their power by forbidding the
Israelites to practice the trade of smiths, so they could not make
weapons of war. Even in peacetime, the Hebrews still took such
work to the Philistine camp. Discouraged by long oppression and
controlled by love of ease, the men of Israel had largely neglected
to provide themselves with weapons of war. The Israelites could
obtain bows and slings, but none of them possessed a spear or sword
except Saul and his son Jonathan.
Not until the second year of Saul’s reign did he make an attempt
to subdue the Philistines. The first blow was struck by Jonathan,
who overcame their garrison at Geba. The exasperated Philistines
got ready for a speedy attack on Israel. Saul declared war by the
sound of the trumpet, calling all men of war, including the tribes
across the Jordan, to assemble at Gilgal.
The Philistines had gathered an immense force at Michmash—
“thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people
as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude.” Saul and his
army at Gilgal were shocked at the mighty forces they would have
to encounter in battle. Many were so terrified that they did not dare
to come to the encounter. Others hid in caves and amid rocks in
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