King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 13:7 Mean?

1 Samuel 13:7 in the King James Version says “And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the p...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. followed: Heb. trembled after him”

1 Samuel 13:7 · KJV

Context

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.

7

And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. followed: Heb. trembled after him

8

And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.

9

And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.

Read 1 Samuel 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

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 · 14 words
וְעִבְרִ֗ים1 of 14

“And some of the Hebrews”

H5680

an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber

עָֽבְרוּ֙2 of 14

“went over”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

אֶת3 of 14
H853

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

הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן4 of 14

“Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

אֶ֥רֶץ5 of 14

“to the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

גָּ֖ד6 of 14

“of Gad”

H1410

gad, a son of jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet

וְגִלְעָ֑ד7 of 14

“and Gilead”

H1568

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

וְשָׁאוּל֙8 of 14

“As for Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

עוֹדֶ֣נּוּ9 of 14
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

בַגִּלְגָּ֔ל10 of 14

“he was yet in Gilgal”

H1537

gilgal, the name of three places in palestine

וְכָל11 of 14
H3605

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

הָעָ֖ם12 of 14

“and all the people”

H5971

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

חָֽרְד֥וּ13 of 14

“him trembling”

H2729

to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)

אַֽחֲרָֽיו׃14 of 14

“followed”

H310

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

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 13:7 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 13:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 32:33-42Deuteronomy 20:8Leviticus 26:17Leviticus 26:36-37Hosea 11:10-11Judges 7:3

Places in This Verse

Gilead 1Region · Modern: Tell edh Dhahab esh Sherqiyeh · 32.19°N, 35.69°E86 verses across 21 books
Gilgal 1Settlement · Modern: Khirbet el Mefjir · 31.88°N, 35.46°E33 verses across 7 books
JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
View all places in 1 Samuel 13 →

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