13:3 Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost 1 that was at Geba and the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul alerted 2 all the land saying, “Let the Hebrews pay attention!” 13:4 All Israel heard this message, 3 “Saul has attacked the Philistine outpost, and now Israel is repulsive 4 to the Philistines!” So the people were summoned to join 5 Saul at Gilgal.
13:5 For the battle with Israel the Philistines had amassed 3,000 6 chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and an army as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Micmash, east of Beth Aven. 13:6 The men of Israel realized they had a problem because their army was hard pressed. So the army hid in caves, thickets, cliffs, strongholds, 7 and cisterns. 13:7 Some of the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan River 8 to the land of Gad and Gilead. But Saul stayed at Gilgal; the entire army that was with him was terrified.
1 tn Or perhaps “struck down the Philistine official.” See the note at 1 Sam 10:5. Cf. TEV “killed the Philistine commander.”
2 tn Heb “blew the ram’s horn in.”
3 tn The words “this message” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
4 tn Heb “stinks.” The figurative language indicates that Israel had become repulsive to the Philistines.
5 tn Heb “were summoned after.”
5 tn Many English versions (e.g., KJV, NASB, NRSV, TEV) read “30,000” here.
7 tn Or perhaps “vaults.” This rare term also occurs in Judg 9:46, 49. Cf. KJV “high places”; ASV “coverts”; NAB “caverns”; NASB “cellars”; NIV, NCV, TEV “pits”; NRSV, NLT “tombs.”
9 tn The word “River” is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied in the translation for clarity.