1Sa 13:2-4 | TNotes | STEP | 13:2 Earlier, Saul had employed 330,000 troops to fight against a much less formidable foe (11:8 ). The selection here of 3,000 special troops probably does not reflect overconfidence (cp. Josh 7:3-4 ). Rather, Saul likely recognized the need for a smaller, highly trained, elite militia to deal with the troublesome Philistines (see 1 Sam 14:52 ). • Micmash was located in Benjamin about two miles northwest of Saul’s home in Gibeah.

13:2 ^a Earlier, Saul had employed 330,000 troops to fight against a much less formidable foe (11:8 ^b). The selection here of 3,000 special troops probably does not reflect overconfidence (cp. Josh 7:3-4 ^c). Rather, Saul likely recognized the need for a smaller, highly trained, elite militia to deal with the troublesome Philistines (see 1 Sam 14:52 ^d).

• Micmash was located in Benjamin about two miles northwest of Saul’s home in Gibeah.
13:3 ^e Geba was located between Jonathan’s forces at Gibeah and Saul’s forces at Micmash. A deep gorge separated Geba and Micmash (see 13:23 ^f; 14:5 ^g).

• The ram’s horn (Hebrew shofar) was used to raise a signal—e.g., to muster an army (Judg 3:27 ^h). For other uses, see Lev 25:9 ⁱ; 2 Sam 6:15 ^j; 15:10 ^k; 18:16 ^l; 20:1 ^m; Hos 5:8 ⁿ; Joel 2:15 ^o.

• Non-Israelites often used the term Hebrews disdainfully (see 1 Sam 14:11 ^p; 29:3 ^q; see also Gen 39:14 ^r; 43:32 ^s). Saul might have used it to strike a nerve and arouse the people’s pride in their identity.
13:4 ^t Saul had destroyed: The commander in chief often got credit for what his soldiers accomplished.

• Saul’s kingship had been reaffirmed at Gilgal (11:15 ^u). Now the Lord would reject his kingship there because of his disobedience (13:7-14 ^v).