King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 13:15 Mean?

1 Samuel 13:15 in the King James Version says “And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present wit... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men. present: Heb. found

1 Samuel 13:15 · KJV


Context

13

And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

14

But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

15

And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men. present: Heb. found

16

And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash. present: Heb. found Gibeah: Heb. Geba

17

And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.

Samuel's departure 'from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin' marks physical and spiritual distance from Saul after pronouncing judgment. The notation that Saul 'numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men' reveals the devastating effect of his failure - from the 330,000 of chapter 11 to a mere remnant. Divine discipline operates through natural consequences: Saul's faithless sacrifice drove away the very army he sought to keep. Leadership that grasps for security through disobedience produces the insecurity it fears.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Gibeah of Benjamin was Saul's hometown and served as his capital. The reduction from Israel's large mustered force to 600 men reflects mass desertion during the waiting period mentioned in verse 8. This tiny force would seem incapable of confronting the massive Philistine army described in verse 5.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does disobedient leadership often produce the very results it sought to prevent?
  2. What does the remnant of 600 faithful soldiers teach about faithfulness during leadership failure?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיָּ֣קָם1 of 16

arose

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

שְׁמוּאֵ֗ל2 of 16

And Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

וַיַּ֛עַל3 of 16

and gat him up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מִן4 of 16
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַגִּלְגָּ֖ל5 of 16

from Gilgal

H1537

gilgal, the name of three places in palestine

גִּבְעַ֣ת6 of 16

unto Gibeah

H1390

gibah; the name of three places in palestine

בִּנְיָמִ֑ן7 of 16

of Benjamin

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וַיִּפְקֹ֣ד8 of 16

numbered

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

שָׁא֗וּל9 of 16

And Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אֶת10 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָעָם֙11 of 16

the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הַנִּמְצְאִ֣ים12 of 16

that were present

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

עִמּ֔וֹ13 of 16
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

כְּשֵׁ֥שׁ14 of 16

with him about six

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

מֵא֖וֹת15 of 16

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אִֽישׁ׃16 of 16

men

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 13:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 13:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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