1 Samuel 13 18

1 Samuel 13:18 kjv

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.

1 Samuel 13:18 nkjv

another company turned to the road to Beth Horon, and another company turned to the road of the border that overlooks the Valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

1 Samuel 13:18 niv

another toward Beth Horon, and the third toward the borderland overlooking the Valley of Zeboyim facing the wilderness.

1 Samuel 13:18 esv

another company turned toward Beth-horon; and another company turned toward the border that looks down on the Valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

1 Samuel 13:18 nlt

another went west to Beth-horon, and the third moved toward the border above the valley of Zeboim near the wilderness.

1 Samuel 13 verses

1 Samuel 13 18 Meaning

1 Samuel 13:18 describes the organized and extensive Philistine raiding parties that fanned out across Israelite territory after Israel’s ill-prepared state following Saul’s impulsive sacrifice and the previous military encounters. This verse vividly illustrates the strategic depth and destructive reach of the Philistine invasion, showing their methodical plan to plunder and suppress Israel, confirming the severe threat they posed to the fledgling monarchy and the people.

1 Samuel 13 18 Context

First Samuel chapter 13 immediately follows Saul's anointing as king and his initial victory over the Ammonites, which solidified his position. However, this victory is quickly overshadowed by the intensifying Philistine threat. Israel has no standing army and little access to metalworking, making them militarily vulnerable to the Philistines, who possess chariots and iron weapons. Saul’s rash action of offering the burnt offering in Gilgal, instead of waiting for Samuel, highlights his impatience and usurpation of priestly duties, leading to the pronouncement that his kingdom would not endure (1 Sam 13:13-14). Verse 18 then describes the practical devastating consequence of Israel's weakness and potential divine disfavor: the Philistine strategy to subjugate and cripple Israel by launching coordinated, widespread raids into various regions. These raids aimed not just to fight battles but to plunder resources, demoralize the populace, and assert Philistine control over the land, effectively creating a chokehold on Israelite economic and social life.

1 Samuel 13 18 Word analysis

• Now (וּפְשַׁ֣טוּ - u-fə-sha·ṭu): The conjunction 'now' often indicates a shift or consequence. Here, it introduces the Philistines' aggressive movement following Saul's disobedient act and the reduced Israelite forces, signaling the severe and immediate aftermath.
• the Philistines (פְלִשְׁתִּ֣ים - pə·liš·tîm): A powerful, iron-working, maritime people from the Aegean, perennial enemies of Israel. Their very name signifies a long-standing source of oppression and conflict for the Israelites (Judg 10:6; 1 Sam 4:1-2).
• raided (פְשַׁ֣טוּ - pə·ša·ṭu): This verb denotes a sudden, aggressive, and often plundering incursion or "spreading out." It’s more than just marching; it implies devastation, disruption, and looting. This reflects a tactical move aimed at demoralizing the population and seizing resources (Judg 6:4-5, Midianites).
• in three companies (בִּשְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה רָאשִׁ֔ים - biš·lō·šāh ra·šîm, literally "in three heads" or "three divisions"): This signifies an organized, tactical, and well-executed military maneuver, not a haphazard advance. Dividing forces allowed them to cover a wider area, increase pressure, and maximize damage, making resistance fragmented and difficult for the Israelites (cf. Gen 14:15, Gideon in Jdg 7:16, for similar tactics used by Israelites). It indicates a deliberate strategy for total control and harassment.
• one company (הָרֹאשׁ֙ הָֽאֶחָ֗ד - hā·rōš hā·e·ḥād, literally "the one head"): Specifically points to the first of these three strategic divisions, demonstrating a systematic advance into Israelite territory.
• turned toward Ophrah (יִפְנֶ֣ה אֶל־עָפְרָ֗תָה - yif·ne ‘el-‘ā·frā·tāh): "Ophrah" (עָפְרָתָה - ‘Ofratah) was a significant geographical location, possibly in the territory of Benjamin or Ephraim. The movement "toward" (אֶל - 'el) indicates a directional objective for this particular raiding party. It highlights their methodical and pervasive intent.
• to the land of Shual (וְאֶל־אֶ֤רֶץ שֻׁעַל֙ - wə-‘el-e·reṣ shu·‘al): "Shual" (שֻׁעַל - Shu'al) means "fox" or "jackal" and might denote an area known for such animals. The phrase emphasizes the specific, named regions targeted by the Philistines, demonstrating their deep penetration into the land beyond main roads, into even more remote or less populated areas for plunder. This further illustrates the vast reach of their raiding parties.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "Now the Philistines raided in three companies": This phrase encapsulates the strategic aggression. It's not a mere battle, but a campaign of intimidation and plunder. The "three companies" detail underscores their organized threat, indicating a systematic effort to cripple Israel. This division of forces demonstrates their military superiority and tactical acumen in subjugating a scattered and fearful Israelite populace (1 Sam 13:6-7).
  • "one company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual": This provides geographical specifics, illustrating the extensive penetration and the precise, wide-ranging nature of the Philistine incursions. It implies widespread disruption, not merely concentrated attacks on military targets. These areas, probably in central Benjamin or Ephraim, show how deeply they ventured, terrorizing villages, destroying crops, and confiscating tools and provisions.

1 Samuel 13 18 Bonus section

The mention of Philistine raids spreading throughout the land is amplified by the earlier detail in 1 Samuel 13:19-22, which states that no blacksmith could be found in Israel, for the Philistines had forbidden it to prevent the Israelites from making swords or spears. This policy ensured their iron monopoly and total military advantage, turning the Philistine raids from mere skirmishes into exercises of total economic and military control. The "three companies" were effectively extending this strategic disarmament, collecting agricultural implements for sharpening and further controlling any access to tools that could be repurposed for war. This illustrates a multi-pronged approach to maintaining supremacy, not just through direct confrontation but also through systemic economic and technological suppression. The geographic scope of these raids indicates that the Philistines aimed for total suppression and dominance, reaching remote and fertile lands, ensuring the Israelite state remained weak and dependent.

1 Samuel 13 18 Commentary

1 Samuel 13:18 serves as a stark illustration of Israel's vulnerability and the harsh consequences of their circumstances. With Saul’s kingdom already declared unstable due to his disobedience (1 Sam 13:13-14), this verse graphically portrays the external pressure. The Philistines, superior in weaponry and military organization, strategically divided their forces into three "companies." This wasn't merely a battle tactic, but a coordinated campaign of terror and economic subjugation. Each company was dispatched to specific regions – "Ophrah" and the "land of Shual" being two of these named areas, signifying deep penetration into Israelite territory. This dispersed strategy aimed to maximize plunder, create widespread chaos, and ensure that Israel had no stable economic or social life. By disrupting agricultural and social norms across various fronts, the Philistines aimed to prevent any form of Israelite recovery or consolidated resistance. This methodical oppression highlights the dire state of Israel, unable to defend its scattered communities from a disciplined and powerful enemy, and underscores the severity of divine judgment and the need for God’s deliverance rather than reliance on human military might.