1 Samuel 13 3

1 Samuel 13:3 kjv

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.

1 Samuel 13:3 nkjv

And Jonathan attacked the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. Then Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, "Let the Hebrews hear!"

1 Samuel 13:3 niv

Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul had the trumpet blown throughout the land and said, "Let the Hebrews hear!"

1 Samuel 13:3 esv

Jonathan defeated the garrison of the Philistines that was at Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, "Let the Hebrews hear."

1 Samuel 13:3 nlt

Soon after this, Jonathan attacked and defeated the garrison of Philistines at Geba. The news spread quickly among the Philistines. So Saul blew the ram's horn throughout the land, saying, "Hebrews, hear this! Rise up in revolt!"

1 Samuel 13 verses

1 Samuel 13 3 Meaning

This verse details Jonathan's bold offensive strike against a Philistine military post in Geba, triggering a full Philistine response. Consequently, Saul initiated a nationwide mobilization of Israelite forces by blowing the shofar, summoning them to the historically significant gathering point of Gilgal in preparation for war.

1 Samuel 13 3 Context

1 Samuel chapter 13 immediately follows Saul's anointing and initial victory over the Ammonites, which solidified his kingship. At this point, Saul had been king for an unspecified short period, possibly "one year," with "two years" often understood as the second year of his reign, as suggested by some translations of 1 Sam 13:1. The Philistines, the dominant power in the region, maintained control over Israelite territories and weapon production, effectively disarming the Israelites. This particular verse describes a pivotal moment: Jonathan, Saul's son, courageously strikes a Philistine outpost. This bold act directly provokes the Philistines and initiates a full-scale war, compelling Saul to mobilize Israel for confrontation. Gilgal, the assembly point, held significant historical and covenantal meaning for Israel, recalling their entrance into the land and renewals of the covenant under Joshua.

1 Samuel 13 3 Word analysis

• Jonathan: (יְהוֹנָתָן, Yehonatan). Meaning "the LORD has given" or "gift of the LORD." He is Saul's son, renowned for his courage and spiritual insight. This act establishes him as a dynamic military leader in his own right, exhibiting personal initiative that contrasts with later portrayals of Saul. His attack, possibly without Saul's direct command, marks the catalyst for a larger conflict.
• attacked: (נָכָה, nakah). To strike, smite, beat. Often implies a decisive and violent blow. It suggests a pre-emptive or retaliatory military action. This isn't merely observing or pushing back, but a direct offensive.
• Philistine outpost: (נְצִיב פְּלִשְׁתִּים, netsiv Pelishtim). Netsiv means "pillar, garrison, appointed official." Here, it clearly refers to a military garrison or sentinel post established by the Philistines in Israelite territory, likely to assert control and collect tribute. Its destruction symbolized a direct challenge to Philistine sovereignty and oppression over Israel. This specific outpost was located in Geba (גֶּבַע, Geva', meaning "hill"), a strategically important Benjaminite town close to Saul's capital, Gibeah.
• at Geba: (Geba). A strategic city in the territory of Benjamin, north of Jerusalem. Its capture by Jonathan was a significant blow to Philistine control in central Israel. It controlled a key pass, making its strategic importance paramount.
• the Philistines heard about it: (וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים, vayyishme'u Pelishtim). Shama (to hear, listen, understand). This phrase emphasizes the immediate and direct consequence of Jonathan's action: it escalated the conflict. The Philistines were instantly aware of the affront, guaranteeing a swift and forceful retaliation, turning a local skirmish into a national war.
• Then Saul blew the trumpet: (וַיִּתְקַע שָׁאוּל בַּשּׁוֹפָר, vayyitqa' Sha'ul bashshofar). Taqa (to blow, thrust, clap) and shofar (שׁוֹפָר), a ram's horn trumpet. The shofar was used in ancient Israel for various purposes: signaling war (Judg 3:27), gathering assemblies (Num 10:2), celebrating festivals (Ps 81:3), and announcing coronations (1 Kgs 1:34). Here, it unequivocally serves as a clear call to military assembly and battle, alerting all Israel.
• throughout the whole land: This signifies a comprehensive national mobilization, reflecting the gravity of the Philistine threat and the king's authority to rally the entire population. It also contrasts with Jonathan's localized strike, demonstrating Saul taking command of the ensuing war effort.
• and summoned the Israelites: (וַיַּזְעֵק יִשְׂרָאֵל, vayyaz'eq Yisrael). Za'aq (to cry out, call, summon urgently). This word emphasizes the urgent and forceful nature of the summons. It's a king's command to a people under duress, demanding immediate military conscription.
• to Gilgal: (גִּלְגָּל, Gilgal). A very important historical and religious site in the Jordan Valley, where Israel encamped upon entering Canaan (Josh 4-5), renewed the covenant, and Saul was confirmed as king (1 Sam 11:15). It was a traditional place for assembling for war and covenant renewal, making it a fitting place for Saul to rally the nation against its oppressors, emphasizing their covenant with God as they faced battle.

1 Samuel 13 3 Bonus section

• Asymmetry of Warfare: The context implies an enormous military disparity. Israel was largely disarmed (1 Sam 13:19-22), whereas the Philistines possessed chariots and iron weaponry. Jonathan's attack was, therefore, an act of extreme courage, possibly born of faith or youthful audacity, that knowingly instigated a war for which Israel was ill-equipped by conventional standards. This sets up the overarching theological theme of God working through weakness.
• Testing of Saul's Kingship: This act by Jonathan forces Saul's hand and presents his first real challenge as commander-in-chief in a major war scenario. His response – mobilizing Israel – is initially sound, but the subsequent delay and his impatient disobedience in Gilgal will reveal his flawed character, beginning the downward trajectory of his reign.
• Geba and Gibeah: Geba and Gibeah were very close (about 2 miles apart) and sometimes confused or used interchangeably in ancient texts due to their proximity. Geba, where Jonathan struck the outpost, was critical in holding the Michmash Pass, a key route into the Israelite highlands from the Philistine plain. Controlling this outpost was vital for either side.

1 Samuel 13 3 Commentary

This verse serves as the immediate precursor to the major Philistine-Israelite war described in 1 Samuel 13-14. Jonathan’s bold, decisive, and perhaps unauthorized strike against a Philistine garrison at Geba reveals his audacious leadership and personal courage, marking the onset of the conflict. This act was not a minor skirmish; it directly challenged Philistine suzerainty and sparked their full wrath, signifying Israel's nascent push for liberation. Saul's subsequent use of the shofar to mobilize Israel "throughout the whole land" underscores his kingly authority and the nationwide emergency. The choice of Gilgal as the assembly point is significant; it was a site of historical and religious covenant renewal, intended to invoke national unity and divine favor as they prepared to confront their well-armed oppressors. This verse, therefore, sets the stage by highlighting Israel’s dire military disadvantage (foreshadowed in later verses by the lack of Israelite weapons), Jonathan’s proactive heroism, and Saul’s immediate assumption of leadership in marshaling the nation for a crucial battle that would test their newfound monarchy and their reliance on God.