1 Samuel 13 5

1 Samuel 13:5 kjv

And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.

1 Samuel 13:5 nkjv

Then the Philistines gathered together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude. And they came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth Aven.

1 Samuel 13:5 niv

The Philistines assembled to fight Israel, with three thousand chariots, six thousand charioteers, and soldiers as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Mikmash, east of Beth Aven.

1 Samuel 13:5 esv

And the Philistines mustered to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen and troops like the sand on the seashore in multitude. They came up and encamped in Michmash, to the east of Beth-aven.

1 Samuel 13:5 nlt

The Philistines mustered a mighty army of 3,000 chariots, 6,000 charioteers, and as many warriors as the grains of sand on the seashore! They camped at Micmash east of Beth-aven.

1 Samuel 13 verses

1 Samuel 13 5 Meaning

1 Samuel 13:5 vividly portrays the overwhelming military might of the Philistines arrayed against Israel. It details their vast numbers in chariots, cavalry, and foot soldiers, depicted hyperbolically as "the sand which is on the seashore in multitude." This description serves to highlight the severe threat and the impossible odds facing King Saul and Israel. The verse also pinpoints the strategic location of their encampment in Michmash, eastward of Beth-aven, underscoring the immediate danger to Israel's heartland and the significance of the impending confrontation.

1 Samuel 13 5 Context

1 Samuel chapter 13 immediately follows Saul's anointing as king and Jonathan's initial successful strike against a Philistine garrison. This act of defiance from Jonathan ignited the full wrath of the Philistines, who were the dominant military power in the region during this period of the early Israelite monarchy. Verses 1-4 describe the prelude: Jonathan's attack, Israel's call to arms by Saul (at Gilgal), and the rising fear among the Israelites. Verse 5 is the Philistine response, serving to illustrate the colossal challenge Israel faced and to set the stage for Saul's critical disobedience in the subsequent verses (1 Samuel 13:8-14), where he offers a sacrifice prematurely, encroaching on the priestly role. Historically, this period was characterized by the Philistines' technological superiority, especially their monopoly on iron metallurgy, which they used to forge superior weapons and chariots, giving them a significant military advantage over the Israelites who largely relied on bronze and agricultural tools (as detailed in 1 Sam 13:19-22).

1 Samuel 13 5 Word analysis

• And the Philistines gathered themselves together (וַיֵּאָסְפוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים – vayye’asfu p’lishtim):

  • וַיֵּאָסְפוּ (vayye’asfu): A Hiphal imperfect form of the verb אָסַף ('asaf), "to gather." The reflexive nature of the Niphal stem (or Hiphal used reflexively) suggests they "assembled themselves," emphasizing a deliberate and organized mobilization. It highlights their military discipline and intention for direct confrontation, not a casual encounter. The use of this verb throughout the Bible for large, hostile gatherings underlines the scale of the threat.
  • פְלִשְׁתִּים (p’lishtim): "Philistines." Descendants of the "sea peoples," renowned for their martial prowess, strategic settlements, and control over trade routes. Their constant pressure on Israel underscores the need for a strong king, yet also tests Israel's reliance on God.

• to fight with Israel (לְהִלָּחֵם עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵל – lehilachem im-Yisra’el):

  • לְהִלָּחֵם (lehilachem): Infinitive construct of the Niphal stem of לָחַם (lacham), "to fight, wage war." It signifies a determined, purposeful military engagement, making clear their aggressive intent.

• thirty thousand chariots (שְׁלֹשִׁים אֶלֶף רֶכֶב – sheloshim elef rekhev):

  • רֶכֶב (rekhev): "Chariot," "chariotry." Military chariots were the most advanced and fearsome weapon of ancient warfare, representing speed, firepower (archers, spear-throwers), and a devastating charge. Such a high number indicates overwhelming destructive power. While some scholars debate the literal count due to logistical challenges in the terrain, the number undoubtedly signifies a truly formidable and terrifying force designed to convey their dominance and the grave danger to Israel. This vast number starkly contrasts with Israel's complete lack of chariots.

• and six thousand horsemen (וְשֵׁשֶׁת אֲלָפִים פָּרָשִׁים – vesheshet alafim parashim):

  • פָּרָשִׁים (parashim): "Horsemen," "cavalry." Though not as decisive as chariots, cavalry provided reconnaissance, flanking maneuvers, and pursuit. The combined chariot and cavalry forces highlight a professional and multi-faceted Philistine army.

• and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude (וְעַם כַּחוֹל אֲשֶׁר עַל־שְׂפַת הַיָּם לָרֹב – ve'am kachol asher al-sefath hayyam larov):

  • עַם (am): "People," "foot soldiers." This term here refers to the vast infantry.
  • כַּחוֹל אֲשֶׁר עַל־שְׂפַת הַיָּם (kachol asher al-sefath hayyam): "Like the sand which is on the seashore." This is a quintessential biblical hyperbole (merism), often used in God's covenant promises to Abraham (e.g., Gen 22:17) for the innumerable descendants of Israel. Its use here for the enemy creates a jarring contrast, underscoring the perceived infinite number of the foe and ironically mirroring God's own promise to Israel. It highlights the Philistines' formidable numerical superiority and implies Israel is a small, vulnerable entity.
  • לָרֹב (larov): "For abundance," "in multitude." Emphasizes the sheer quantity.

• and they came up and encamped in Michmash (וַיַּעֲלוּ וַיַּחֲנוּ בְּמִכְמָשׂ – vayya’alu vayyachanu beMikhmash):

  • וַיַּעֲלוּ (vayya’alu): "And they came up." Indicates movement to higher ground or toward the interior/heartland from the coastal Philistine plain.
  • וַיַּחֲנוּ (vayyachanu): "And they encamped." Signifies establishing a military camp, a base for operations.
  • מִכְמָשׂ (Mikhmash): A strategic location (modern Mukhmâs), approximately 7 miles north of Jerusalem. It lay on the route through a deep, steep wadi known as the Michmash Pass, a significant geographical barrier controlling access between the central highlands and the Jordan Valley. Its importance lies in its defensible position and control of movement, making it a critical choke point.

• eastward of Beth-aven (קִדְמַת בֵּית אָוֶן – kidmath Beth-aven):

  • קִדְמַת (kidmath): "East of," "to the east."
  • בֵּית אָוֶן (Beth-aven): "House of Wickedness" or "House of Iniquity." This name often refers to Beth-el ("House of God") when used pejoratively by prophets (e.g., Hos 4:15), implying spiritual corruption or idolatry in the area. This subtle detail might suggest the Philistine encroachment extends to territories marred by Israel's own unfaithfulness. The exact identification might be a village near Beth-el.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "gathered themselves together to fight with Israel": This phrase emphasizes the Philistine's aggressive and concerted effort. It was not a border skirmish but a planned invasion with intent to crush the nascent Israelite monarchy.
• "thirty thousand chariots and six thousand horsemen and people as the sand which is on the seashore": This collection of phrases systematically highlights the enemy's numerical superiority and advanced military technology. The overwhelming numbers contrast sharply with Israel's military weakness (lack of chariots, limited iron weapons), serving to magnify God's subsequent intervention (or Saul's failure to trust in it).
• "came up and encamped in Michmash, eastward of Beth-aven": This group specifies the Philistines' strategic deployment. Their choice of Michmash (a naturally fortified location controlling a major pass) and proximity to Beth-aven (a region linked to Israelite religious centers/failures) demonstrates their intention to occupy critical territory and assert control deep within Israelite land.

1 Samuel 13 5 Bonus section

• Exaggeration for Theological Impact: While the numbers for chariots might be a textual issue (some Septuagint manuscripts offer 3,000, which is still huge but more logistically plausible), the sheer scale portrayed (whether literal or hyperbolized) is intended to impress upon the reader the insurmountable odds. This magnification serves a theological purpose: to highlight that any victory, whether by Saul (initially) or later by Jonathan, would be a demonstration of divine intervention and not human might. It primes the narrative for God to prove Himself against the "gods" of the Philistines.
• Echoes of Joshua's Battles: The phrase "came up" often refers to movements into the hill country, recalling Joshua's campaigns. Here, it signifies the Philistine intent to conquer Israel's stronghold rather than merely defend their own territory.
• Prophetic Foreboding of Beth-aven: The specific mention of "Beth-aven" (instead of "Beth-el") could be anachronistic in terms of Israel's widespread idolatry, yet it foreshadows the moral decline and religious syncretism that would later afflict the Northern Kingdom, particularly Beth-el's transformation into a center of idolatry under Jeroboam I. Even in this early period of the monarchy, the land itself bears witness to pockets of apostasy or, at the least, carries a name with future prophetic significance concerning Israel's unfaithfulness.

1 Samuel 13 5 Commentary

1 Samuel 13:5 sets a dramatic and tense scene, functioning as the theological and narrative turning point in Saul's reign. The staggering numbers of the Philistine forces, specifically their elite chariots and cavalry combined with an uncountable infantry, depict an unassailable military machine. This deliberate exaggeration (using "sand of the seashore") not only portrays a monumental external threat but also implicitly challenges God's promises of innumerable descendants for Abraham. It forces the reader to confront whether the visible power of the Philistines or the invisible power of Yahweh will prevail. The strategic positioning at Michmash and Beth-aven highlights the direct threat to the central highlands, forcing a confrontation on Israel's own terms. This verse powerfully illustrates a core biblical theme: when human power is clearly inadequate, it is then that God's strength is made perfect (cf. 2 Cor 12:9). This overwhelming challenge became the crucible in which Saul's faith and leadership would be tested, leading directly to his act of presumption and the divine rejection of his kingship, demonstrating that human action, even under extreme duress, cannot usurp divine prerogatives.