1 Samuel 13:1-4
Jonathan attacks the Philistines
1 Saul was 30 years old when he became king. He ruled Israel as king for 42 years. 2 He chose 3,000 men from Israel's army to be with him. 2,000 of those men stayed with him at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel. Then 1,000 men were with his son Jonathan at Gibeah, in the land of Benjamin's tribe. Saul sent all the other men of the army back to their homes.
13:1We are not sure if 30 and 42 are the right numbers.
3 Some Philistine soldiers had a camp at Geba. Jonathan attacked them there and all the Philistines heard about it. Saul sent a message through all Israel to warn people of the danger. He said, ‘Listen, all you Hebrew people!’ 4 Everyone in Israel heard this message: ‘Saul has attacked the Philistines' camp. Now the Philistines hate the Israelites even more than they did before.’ So all the soldiers in Israel came to join Saul at Gilgal.
13:3‘Hebrew people’ was another way to speak about the Israelites.
