King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 13:4 Mean?

1 Samuel 13:4 in the King James Version says “And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abominatio...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal. was: Heb. did stink”

1 Samuel 13:4 · KJV

Context

2

Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.

3

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. Geba: or, the hill

4

And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal. was: Heb. did stink

5

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.

6

When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

Read 1 Samuel 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.

Saul's failure demonstrates that partial obedience is disobedience, and religious activity cannot substitute for heart surrender. His pattern of excuses, blame-shifting, and selective compliance while maintaining outward religious appearance warns against external religion without internal transformation. The pronouncement that 'to obey is better than sacrifice' establishes that God desires humble submission over impressive religious performance. Saul's rejection teaches that prolonged disobedience, even mixed with apparent faithfulness, eventually results in God's withdrawal of calling and blessing.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The establishment of monarchy around 1050-1010 BCE represented a dramatic political and theological shift for Israel. Unlike surrounding nations where kings were considered divine or semi-divine, Israel's kings were supposed to function under God's ultimate authority as laid out in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. The Benjamite tribe occupied strategic territory between Ephraim and Judah, making Saul's selection a politically astute choice to balance tribal rivalries. Archaeological remains from this period show increased fortification and centralization of settlements, confirming the transition to state-level organization. Levitical priests served hereditary roles mediating between God and people through sacrificial system. Corruption among priests was not uncommon in this era, as demonstrated by biblical criticism of Eli's sons and later Jeremiah's condemnations. Proper sacrificial procedure was critical for maintaining covenant relationship, making priestly misconduct particularly heinous.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen our understanding of God's character, purposes, and ways of working in human history?
  2. What specific heart attitudes, thought patterns, or life practices does this passage call you to examine or change?
  3. How does the emphasis on obedience over sacrifice point toward Christ's perfect submission to the Father's will?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְכָל1 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל2 of 18

“And all Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

שָֽׁמְע֣וּ3 of 18

“heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

לֵאמֹ֗ר4 of 18

“say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִכָּ֤ה5 of 18

“had smitten”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

שָׁא֖וּל6 of 18

“Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אֶת7 of 18
H853

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

נְצִ֣יב8 of 18

“a garrison”

H5333

something stationary, i.e., a prefect, a military post, a statue

בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים9 of 18

“of the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וְגַם10 of 18
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

נִבְאַשׁ11 of 18

“also was had in abomination”

H887

to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל12 of 18

“And all Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים13 of 18

“of the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וַיִּצָּֽעֲק֥וּ14 of 18

“were called together”

H6817

to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)

הָעָ֛ם15 of 18

“And the people”

H5971

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

אַֽחֲרֵ֥י16 of 18

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

שָׁא֖וּל17 of 18

“Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

הַגִּלְגָּֽל׃18 of 18

“to Gilgal”

H1537

gilgal, the name of three places in palestine

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 13:4 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 13:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 34:30Exodus 5:21Genesis 46:341 Samuel 11:14-15Zechariah 11:81 Samuel 10:8

Places in This Verse

Geba 1Settlement · Modern: Jaba · 31.86°N, 35.26°E14 verses across 8 books
Gilgal 1Settlement · Modern: Khirbet el Mefjir · 31.88°N, 35.46°E33 verses across 7 books
View all places in 1 Samuel 13 →

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