Saul's Unauthorized Sacrifice and Rebuke
1 Samuel 13:1-15
1 S.13.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במלכו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ושתי: CONJ+NUM,f,du
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- על: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 5:4 (structural): Same regnal formula — “X years old when he began to reign; and he reigned Y years” (David: thirty years old, reigned forty) — parallels the form used for Saul’s age and reign-length statement.
- 1 Kings 14:21 (structural): Another royal-age/regnal notice (Rehoboam: “forty-one years old… reigned seventeen years”) showing the standardized Israelite formula for reporting a king’s age and length of reign.
- 1 Samuel 9:1–2 (thematic): Introduction to Saul’s origins and physical stature (“young and handsome”), providing contextual background to the brief age/regnal summary in 13:1 and highlighting narrative coherence about Saul’s rise.
- 1 Samuel 11:14–15 (thematic): Records the formal establishment of Saul as king over Israel and the beginning of his reign (people gathered at Gilgal), paralleling 13:1’s focus on the commencement of Saul’s kingship.
- 1 Samuel 13:1 (LXX/Vulgate) (verbal): Ancient versions (LXX, Vulgate) supply different regnal/age numbers for this verse; this textual-variety parallel is important for understanding the corruption or ambiguity of the Masoretic reading (“one year old”) and for reconstructing the original regnal data.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul was a young man when he began to reign; and he reigned two years over Israel.
- Saul was a year old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years over Israel.
1 S.13.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבחר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלשת: NUM,m,pl,abs
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מישראל: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ויהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עם: PREP
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- במכמש: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ובהר: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ואלף: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- עם: PREP
- יונתן: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בגבעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- בנימין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויתר: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאהליו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam.26:2 (verbal): Uses almost the same language and number—'Saul took three thousand chosen men'—showing a repeated motif of Saul selecting a core force to pursue or confront opponents.
- 1 Sam.14:2 (structural): Also depicts the division of Israelite forces between Saul and Jonathan (with Jonathan leading a separate contingent), situating 13:2 within the narrative pattern of dispersed troop dispositions and Jonathan's independent actions.
- Judg.7:2-7 (thematic): Gideon's reduction of the army to a small, specially chosen force (300) echoes the theme of selecting and trusting a limited number of men for decisive action, highlighting motifs of chosen troops and divine outcome despite small numbers.
- 1 Sam.11:8 (thematic): Describes Saul's rapid mobilization and deployment of Israelite forces to meet a threat, paralleling 13:2's focus on mustering and arranging troops for imminent conflict.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin; the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
- And Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel; of these two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin; and the rest of the people sent every man to his tent.
1 S.13.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- יונתן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- נציב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בגבע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישמעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- ושאול: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תקע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בשופר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- ישמעו: VERB,qal,imf,3,mp
- העברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 14:2-15 (structural): Continuation and expansion of Jonathan's action against Philistine posts: a parallel account of Jonathan's initiative in attacking a Philistine garrison and its consequences for Israel and the Philistines.
- Numbers 10:2 (thematic): Prescribed use of trumpets to summon the congregation and to signal movement or battle—parallels Saul's blowing of the trumpet to call the Israelites' attention and mobilize them.
- Judges 7:16-18 (thematic): Gideon's use of trumpets and a surprise assault to assemble and signal his men against the enemy—similar motif of trumpet as a battle/assembly signal and of a small force striking an enemy post.
- 1 Samuel 11:7 (thematic): Saul's rapid mobilization of Israel in response to a Philistine threat (cutting up oxen and sending messengers) parallels the rallying function of Saul's trumpet blast to summon the Hebrews.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jonathan struck the Philistine outpost that was in Geba. When the Philistines heard of it, Saul blew the trumpet throughout the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear.”
- Jonathan struck the Philistine garrison at Geba. When the Philistines heard of it, Saul blew the trumpet through all the land, saying, "Let the Hebrews hear."
1 S.13.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- הכה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- נציב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- וגם: CONJ
- נבאש: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בפלשתים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויצעקו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אחרי: PREP
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הגלגל: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 11:14-15 (structural): After Saul's victory the people are gathered to Gilgal and there Saul is confirmed as king—parallels the motif of the nation assembling at Gilgal following conflict with Israel's enemies.
- 1 Samuel 7:7-9 (thematic): The Philistines advance, Israel is distressed, and the people are brought together under Samuel—similar language and situation of Philistine pressure prompting a national assembly.
- Judges 13:1 (thematic): A summary statement that Israel was oppressed by the Philistines for forty years—provides the recurring background motif of Philistine domination referenced in 1 Sam 13:4.
- 1 Samuel 14:52 (thematic): States that there was continual war with the Philistines during Saul's reign, echoing the ongoing Philistine threat and Israel's repeated distress in 13:4.
- 2 Samuel 5:17-25 (verbal): David inquires of the Lord and smites the Philistines (including their strongholds/garrisons); echoes the language and theme of striking Philistine garrisons found in 1 Sam 13:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- All Israel heard, “Saul has struck the Philistine outpost”; and Israel was disgraced among the Philistines. Then the people clamored after Saul to Gilgal.
- When all Israel heard that Saul had struck the Philistine garrison, and that Israel was in distress because of the Philistines, the people clamored after Saul to Gilgal.
1 S.13.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ופלשתים: CONJ+NOUN_PROP,m,pl,abs
- נאספו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,pl
- להלחם: VERB,hitp,inf
- עם: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלשים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- רכב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וששת: CONJ+NUM,card,pl
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- פרשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ועם: CONJ+PREP
- כחול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- על: PREP
- שפת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- הים: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- לרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ויחנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- במכמש: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- קדמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- און: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 14:7 (verbal): Like 1 Sam 13:5, Exodus describes an enemy assembling chariots and horsemen (Exod 14:7 lists 'chosen chariots' and horsemen); both passages use a numbered chariot force as a key element of the military threat to Israel.
- Judges 4:3 (thematic): Sisera's force with 'nine hundred chariots of iron' presents the same theme of Israel threatened by a superior chariot-equipped enemy; both passages stress the danger posed by enemy chariotry.
- Judges 7:12 (thematic): Gideon's report that the Midianite host was 'as numerous as locusts' echoes the image in 1 Sam 13:5 of a multitude 'like the sand on the seashore'—both use vivid similes to communicate overwhelming enemy numbers.
- Genesis 22:17 (verbal): God's promise to Abraham that his offspring will be 'as the sand of the sea' uses the same simile ('sand of the sea'/'sand on the seashore') found in 1 Sam 13:5 to denote vast multitude, providing a verbal parallel though in a different theological context.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Philistines assembled to fight with Israel: thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and a people like the sand on the seashore in multitude. They came up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.
- The Philistines gathered to fight with Israel—thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and a multitude like the sand on the seashore; they went up and encamped at Michmash, east of Beth‑aven.
1 S.13.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ראו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- כי: CONJ
- צר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- נגש: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויתחבאו: VERB,hitp,imperfect,3,m,pl
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- במערות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ובחוחים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובסלעים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובצרחים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובברות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Rev.6.15-16 (verbal): Uses nearly identical imagery of people hiding in caves and among the rocks to escape overwhelming terror—echoes the motif of fugitives concealing themselves from a conquering threat.
- Isa.2.19 (verbal): Speaks of people fleeing into caves and the clefts of the rocks 'for the terror of the LORD,' employing similar vocabulary and the theme of hiding in fissures and caves from an overpowering danger.
- Judg.6.2 (thematic): Describes Israel oppressed by enemy raiders so that they take refuge in mountain dens, caves, and strongholds—parallel theme of national distress leading to concealment in natural refuges.
- 1Sam.24.3 (structural): Narrates David and his men hiding in the wilderness caves while pursued by Saul; structurally parallels the scene of Israelites sheltering in caves during military crisis.
- 1Kgs.18.4 (thematic): Reports prophets hidden in a cave to escape persecution (Ahab’s purge), paralleling the motif of seeking subterranean refuge from a hostile opponent.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble — that the people pressed upon them — the men hid themselves in caves, in thickets, among the rocks, in holes, and in pits.
- When the men of Israel saw that they were hard‑pressed—for the people were in distress—they hid themselves in caves, in thickets, among the rocks, in pits, and in cisterns.
1 S.13.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועברים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- עברו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גד: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- וגלעד: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושאול: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עודנו: ADV
- בגלגל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- חרדו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אחריו: PREP,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 32:1–5 (verbal): Mentions the tribes of Gad and the land of Gilead across the Jordan—verbal/locational echo of “crossed over the Jordan, the land of Gad and Gilead.”
- 1 Samuel 10:8 (structural): Samuel’s earlier instruction that Saul should wait at Gilgal for seven days; explains background for Saul’s presence in Gilgal in 13:7 (same ritual/assembly location).
- 1 Samuel 11:14–15 (structural): Gilgal functions as the national rallying/assembly site where Saul’s kingship is renewed and the people gather—parallels the setting and communal fear/tension in 13:7.
- 1 Samuel 14:6–8 (thematic): Depicts the Israelite army’s fear and paralysis before the Philistines contrasted with individual courage (Jonathan); thematically parallels the general trembling described in 13:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- Some Hebrews crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the people trembled with him.
- Some Hebrews crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead; but Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the people trembled after him.
1 S.13.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויוחל: VERB,qal,perf,3,ms
- שבעת: NUM,card,construct
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- למועד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הגלגל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויפץ: VERB,qal,perf,3,ms
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מעליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 10:8 (verbal): Samuel's prior instruction to Saul to wait seven days at Gilgal for him to arrive — the direct command that Saul is fulfilling in 13:8.
- 1 Samuel 13:9-14 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: because Samuel did not come, Saul performs the sacrifice himself and is rebuked, showing the consequence of the missed waiting period.
- 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (thematic): Samuel's later statement that obedience is better than sacrifice reflects the theological principle underlying the rebuke of Saul for acting improperly with sacrificial duties.
- Leviticus 10:1-3 (thematic): The incident of Nadab and Abihu offering unauthorized fire highlights the theological danger of improper or unauthorized priestly activity — a background theme for Saul's premature sacrificial act.
Alternative generated candidates
- He waited seven days, according to the appointed time that Samuel had set; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him.
- And he waited seven days, the time specified by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people dispersed from him.
1 S.13.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הגשו: VERB,hiph,imp,2,m,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- העלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs,def
- והשלמים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- העלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs,def
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 13:8-14 (structural): Immediate narrative context: Saul performs the sacrifice because Samuel had not arrived, and this act precipitates Samuel's rebuke and the loss of kingship (same episode/sequence).
- 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (thematic): Samuel's later principle that 'to obey is better than sacrifice' highlights the theological critique of Saul's improper sacrificial action—priority of obedience over ritual.
- Leviticus 1:3 (verbal): Prescribes the procedures and purpose of the burnt offering (olah), the very offering Saul commands to be brought and offered—background law for the term and ritual.
- Leviticus 3:1 (verbal): Describes the peace (shelamim) offering, the other offering Saul requests here; provides legal/ritual context for the combined offerings he orders.
- 2 Samuel 24:18-25 (structural): David builds an altar and offers burnt and peace offerings on a threshing floor (kingly involvement in sacrifice); parallels the motif of a ruler making sacrificial offerings and the establishment of an altar-site.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul said, “Bring to me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.” He offered the burnt offering.
- Saul said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings." So he offered the burnt offering.
1 S.13.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ככלתו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- להעלות: VERB,hiphil,inf
- העלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs,def
- והנה: ADV
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לקראתו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m
- לברכו: PREP+VERB,qal,inf+3,m
Parallels
- 1 Sam.10.8 (structural): Samuel had earlier instructed Saul to wait seven days at Gilgal for him to come and offer sacrifices—this instruction sets up the expectation Saul violates in 13:10–12.
- 1 Sam.13.11-14 (quotation): Immediate narrative continuation: Saul offers the burnt offering and then gives his excuse; Samuel then rebukes Saul and pronounces the loss of kingship—directly interprets the significance of Saul's action in 13:10.
- 1 Sam.15.22-23 (thematic): Samuel’s later statement that 'to obey is better than sacrifice' frames Saul’s premature offering as symptomatic of disobedience and misplaced ritual, linking improper sacrifice to divine judgment.
- Lev.10.1-2 (allusion): The account of Nadab and Abihu offering unauthorized fire highlights the dangers of improper/unauthorized sacrifice and the importance of correct priestly procedure—an implicit background to Saul’s illicit priestly act.
Alternative generated candidates
- As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. Saul went out to meet him and to greet him.
- As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him to bless him.
1 S.13.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מה: PRON,int
- עשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- ראיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- כי: CONJ
- נפץ: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מעלי: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- באת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- למועד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ופלשתים: CONJ+NOUN_PROP,m,pl,abs
- נאספים: VERB,niphal,part,3,m,pl
- מכמש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 10:8 (structural): Samuel had instructed Saul to wait for him at Gilgal for seven days so Samuel could offer sacrifices; Saul’s failure to wait provides the immediate context for his action in 1 Sam 13:11–14.
- 1 Samuel 13:13-14 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Samuel rebukes Saul, calls his action foolish, and announces that God has rejected him as king—direct theological and narrative parallel.
- 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (thematic): Samuel later insists that obedience is better than sacrifice; connects Saul’s improper action (acting without Samuel/priestly sanction) to the broader theme that disobedience, not ritual, is the core sin.
- Numbers 20:10-12 (thematic): Moses, pressured by the people's complaints, disobeys God’s command at Meribah and suffers divine punishment—a parallel of a leader failing to trust and obey under crisis and facing consequences.
- 2 Chronicles 26:16-21 (thematic): King Uzziah unlawfully performs priestly duties (burning incense), is rebuked and punished—parallels the motif of a ruler overstepping religious roles and receiving prophetic/priestly rebuke and judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul answered, “I saw that the people were scattering from me, and you did not come within the appointed days; and the Philistines were assembling at Michmash.
- Samuel said, "What have you done?" And Saul answered, "When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you had not come at the appointed day, and that the Philistines had assembled at Michmash,
1 S.13.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- עתה: ADV
- ירדו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- הגלגל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ופני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- חליתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- ואתאפק: VERB,hitp,impf,1,sg
- ואעלה: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- העלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs,def
Parallels
- 1 Sam.13:9 (verbal): Immediate context — Saul explains he 'forced himself' and offered the burnt offering because he had not inquired of the LORD, essentially the same claim found in v.12.
- 1 Sam.13:11-14 (structural): Samuel's rebuke and judgement on Saul for offering the sacrifice without waiting — directly responds to Saul's excuse in v.12 and announces loss of the kingdom.
- Exod.32:1-6 (thematic): When Moses delays, the people build a golden calf and offer sacrifices — parallels unauthorized worship and offerings prompted by a leader's absence or delay.
- Lev.10:1-2 (thematic): Nadab and Abihu offer 'unauthorized fire' before the LORD and are punished — parallels the theme of improper/unauthorized sacrificial action and its seriousness.
- 1 Sam.15:22-23 (thematic): Samuel's later insistence that obedience is better than sacrifice criticizes improper ritual behavior and underscores that worship without right relationship/inquiry of God is unacceptable.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down upon me at Gilgal, and the LORD’s favor has not appeared to me’; so I felt compelled and offered the burnt offering.”
- I said, 'Now the Philistines will come down on me at Gilgal; I had not inquired of the LORD,' and I felt compelled and offered the burnt offering."
1 S.13.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נסכלת: VERB,niphal,perf,2,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- שמרת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- מצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צוך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- עתה: ADV
- הכין: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- ממלכתך: NOUN,f,sg,const
- אל: NEG
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- עולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 13:14 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same scene: Samuel explains the consequence declared in 13:13 — Saul’s kingdom will not endure and God will seek a man after his own heart, directly following Samuel’s rebuke.
- 1 Samuel 15:26-29 (thematic): Samuel’s later denunciation of Saul and God’s rejection of his kingship echoes 13:13’s theme that Saul’s disobedience costs him a lasting throne; verse 15:28 explicitly speaks of the kingdom being torn from Saul.
- 1 Samuel 8:7-9 (allusion): God’s warning about Israel’s demand for a king and the dangers of kingship provides background: the office of king is subject to God’s commands, linking Saul’s failure to keep God’s command (13:13) to the theological problem of kingship.
- Deuteronomy 17:14-20 (thematic): Regulations for Israelite kings stress obedience to God’s law and the requirement that a king write and keep the law — provides legal/theological standard against which Saul’s failure to obey (13:13) is judged.
- 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (thematic): A thematic parallel in summary form: Saul’s death is ascribed to his unfaithfulness and failure to seek the LORD, showing the consequence of disobedience for the king’s rule, similar to the loss of enduring dynasty indicated in 13:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- Samuel said to Saul, “You have acted foolishly; you did not keep the commandment of the LORD your God that he commanded you. For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.
- Samuel said to Saul, "You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God which he commanded you. Now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.
1 S.13.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- ממלכתך: NOUN,f,sg,suf
- לא: PART_NEG
- תקום: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- בקש: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כלבבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,ps3m
- ויצוהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לנגיד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- שמרת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צוך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Acts 13:22 (quotation): Direct NT citation of the phrase “a man after my own heart,” applying God’s verdict about David as the replacement for Saul (echoes 1 Sam 13:14).
- 1 Sam 16:1-13 (structural): Narrative of Samuel anointing David as king chosen by God—provides the immediate fulfilment/administrative action behind the declaration that God has sought a man after his own heart.
- 1 Sam 16:7 (thematic): God’s criterion is the heart rather than outward appearance (“for the LORD seeth not as man seeth”); undergirds the claim that God sought ‘a man after his own heart.’
- Ps 78:70-72 (allusion): Affirms God’s choosing of David and depicts his shepherd‑like rule (“he shepherded them with integrity of heart”), resonating with the characterization of David as the man after God’s heart.
- 1 Sam 15:23-28 (thematic): Accounts of Saul’s rejection for disobedience and Samuel’s declaration that the kingdom is taken from him, paralleling 13:14’s consequence (Saul’s failure to keep God’s command leads to the kingdom’s removal).
Alternative generated candidates
- 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 what the LORD commanded.”
- But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought for himself a man after his own heart, and the LORD has appointed him to be ruler over his people, because you did not keep what the LORD commanded."
1 S.13.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- הגלגל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- גבעת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- ויפקד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הנמצאים: ADJ,part,m,pl,def
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- כשש: NUM,card,sg
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Sam.14.52 (verbal): Repeats the same approximate figure of 'six hundred men' with Saul, corroborating the troop-strength mentioned in 13:15.
- 1 Sam.13.2 (structural): Earlier in the same chapter gives the broader disposition and numbers of Saul's forces (the larger total of soldiers), providing context for why only about six hundred remained with him at this point.
- 1 Sam.10.8 (structural): Samuel's instructions to Saul to go to Gilgal (and to wait there) link the narrative setting of Gilgal in 13:15 and the ritual/leadership actions surrounding Saul's early reign.
- 1 Sam.7.17 (thematic): Describes Samuel's regular circuit (including Gilgal) as a traveling judge/prophet; parallels 13:15's note of Samuel rising from Gilgal and moving on to another center (Gibeah), reflecting his itinerant role.
Alternative generated candidates
- Samuel rose and went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. Saul mustered the men who were with him, about six hundred men.
- Then Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. Saul mustered the men who were with him—about six hundred.
Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years over Israel. And Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel; two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and at the hill of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin; the rest of the people sent every man to his tent. And Jonathan struck the garrison of the Philistines that was at Geba. The Philistines heard of it, and Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, "Let the Hebrews hear." And all Israel heard it and said, "Saul has struck the garrison of the Philistines," and also, "Israel has been put to shame before the Philistines." And the people shouted after Saul at Gilgal. And the Philistines assembled to fight with Israel—thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and a host like the sand that is on the seashore in multitude; and they went up and encamped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.
When the men of Israel saw that their situation was desperate, for the people pressed hard, the men hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pits. And the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the people were trembling behind him.
He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from Saul.
Then Saul said, "Bring to me the burnt offering and the peace offerings." And he offered the burnt offering.
As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. Saul went out to meet him to greet him. And Samuel said, "What have you done?" Saul answered, "I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philistines had assembled at Michmash. So I said, 'Now the Philistines will come down upon me at Gilgal,' and I felt that the LORD had not answered me. I forced myself and offered the burnt offering." And Samuel said to Saul, "You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the command of the LORD your God, which he commanded you. And now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has appointed him leader over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you."
Then Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin; and Saul numbered the men who were with him—about six hundred.