1 Samuel 13:16
New International Version
Saul and his son Jonathan and the men with them were staying in Gibeah in Benjamin, while the Philistines camped at Mikmash.

New Living Translation
Saul and Jonathan and the troops with them were staying at Geba in the land of Benjamin. The Philistines set up their camp at Micmash.

English Standard Version
And Saul and Jonathan his son and the people who were present with them stayed in Geba of Benjamin, but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

Berean Standard Bible
Now Saul and Jonathan his son and the troops with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin, while the Philistines camped at Michmash.

King James Bible
And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

New King James Version
Saul, Jonathan his son, and the people present with them remained in Gibeah of Benjamin. But the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

New American Standard Bible
Now Saul, his son Jonathan, and the people who were present with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin while the Philistines camped at Michmash.

NASB 1995
Now Saul and his son Jonathan and the people who were present with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin while the Philistines camped at Michmash.

NASB 1977
Now Saul and his son Jonathan and the people who were present with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin while the Philistines camped at Michmash.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Saul and his son Jonathan and the people who were present with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin, and the Philistines camped at Michmash.

Amplified Bible
Saul and his son Jonathan and the people with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin, while the Philistines camped at Michmash.

Christian Standard Bible
Saul, his son Jonathan, and the troops who were with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin, and the Philistines were camped at Michmash.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Saul, his son Jonathan, and the troops who were with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin, and the Philistines were camped at Michmash.

American Standard Version
And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Geba of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

Contemporary English Version
Saul, Jonathan, and their army set up camp at Geba in Benjamin. The Philistine army was camped at Michmash.

English Revised Version
And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Geba of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Saul, his son Jonathan, and the troops who were with them stayed at Geba in Benjamin while the Philistines camped at Michmash.

Good News Translation
Saul, his son Jonathan, and their men camped in Geba in the territory of Benjamin; the Philistine camp was at Michmash.

International Standard Version
Saul, his son Jonathan, and the people present with them remained in Geba of Benjamin, while the Philistines camped in Michmash.

Majority Standard Bible
Now Saul and Jonathan his son and the troops with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin, while the Philistines camped at Michmash.

NET Bible
Saul, his son Jonathan, and the army that remained with them stayed in Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin, while the Philistines camped in Micmash.

New Heart English Bible
Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people who were present with them, stayed in Geba of Benjamin: but the Philistines camped in Michmash.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

World English Bible
Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people who were present with them, stayed in Geba of Benjamin; but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Saul, and his son Jonathan, and the people who are found with them, are abiding in Gibeah of Benjamin, and the Philistines have encamped in Michmash.

Young's Literal Translation
and Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people who are found with them, are abiding in Gibeah of Benjamin, and the Philistines have encamped in Michmash.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people found with them, dwelt in the hill of Benjamin: and the rovers encamped in Michmash.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Saul and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, were in Gabaa of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Machmas.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Saul, and his son Jonathan, and the people who had been found to be with them, were at Gibeah of Benjamin. But the Philistines had settled in at Michmash.

New American Bible
Saul, his son Jonathan, and the soldiers they had with them were now occupying Geba of Benjamin, and the Philistines were encamped at Michmash.

New Revised Standard Version
Saul, his son Jonathan, and the people who were present with them stayed in Geba of Benjamin; but the Philistines encamped at Michmash.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Saul and Jonathan his son dwelt in Gibeah of Benjamin; but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shaul and Yonathan his son dwelt in Gebatha of Benyamin, and the Philistines camped in Mekmas
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeath-benjamin; but the Philistines encamped in Michmas.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Saul and Jonathan his son, and the people that were found with them, halted in Gabaa, of Benjamin; and they wept: and the Philistines had encamped in Machmas.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Israel Without Weapons
16Now Saul and Jonathan his son and the troops with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin, while the Philistines camped at Michmash. 17And raiders went out of the Philistine camp in three divisions. One headed toward Ophrah in the land of Shual,…

Cross References
1 Samuel 14:1-2
One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But Jonathan did not tell his father. / Meanwhile, Saul was staying under the pomegranate tree in Migron on the outskirts of Gibeah. And the troops who were with him numbered about six hundred men,

1 Samuel 10:5
After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying.

1 Samuel 14:52
And the war with the Philistines was fierce for all the days of Saul. So whenever he noticed any strong or brave man, Saul would enlist him.

1 Samuel 7:2-3
And from that day a long time passed, twenty years in all, as the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim. And all the house of Israel mournfully sought the LORD. / Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”

1 Samuel 14:6-7
Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” / His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

1 Samuel 17:1
Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim.

1 Samuel 9:16
“At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”

1 Samuel 14:11-12
So the two of them showed themselves to the outpost of the Philistines, who exclaimed, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes in which they were hiding!” / So the men of the outpost called out to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come on up, and we will teach you a lesson!” “Follow me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.”

1 Samuel 14:22-23
When all the Israelites who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined the battle in close pursuit. / So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle moved on beyond Beth-aven.

1 Samuel 14:31
That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, the people were very faint.

2 Samuel 5:17
When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold.

2 Kings 13:3
So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them continually into the hands of Hazael king of Aram and his son Ben-hadad.

Judges 3:31
After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath. And he too saved Israel, striking down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad.

Judges 6:33
Then all the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east gathered together, crossed over the Jordan, and camped in the Valley of Jezreel.

Judges 10:7
So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and Ammonites,


Treasury of Scripture

And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, stayed in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

Gibeah [heb]

1 Samuel 13:3
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.

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Abode Benjamin Camped Encamped in Jonathan Michmas Michmash Micmash Philistines Present Saul Staying Tents Waiting
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Abode Benjamin Camped Encamped in Jonathan Michmas Michmash Micmash Philistines Present Saul Staying Tents Waiting
1 Samuel 13
1. Saul's select band
3. He calls the Hebrews to Gilgal against the Philistines
5. The Philistines' great army
6. The distress of the Israelites
8. Saul, weary of staying for Samuel, sacrifices
11. Samuel reproves him
17. The three raiding parties of the Philistines
19. The policy of the Philistines, to allow no blacksmith in Israel














Now Saul and his son Jonathan
This phrase introduces the central figures in this narrative, Saul and Jonathan. Saul, the first king of Israel, is a complex character whose reign is marked by both triumph and failure. His son Jonathan is often depicted as a noble and courageous warrior. The Hebrew root for "Saul" (שָׁאוּל, Sha'ul) means "asked for" or "prayed for," reflecting Israel's demand for a king. Jonathan (יוֹנָתָן, Yonatan) means "Yahweh has given," indicating divine favor and blessing. This father-son duo represents the leadership of Israel during a time of military tension.

and the troops with them
The presence of troops signifies the ongoing military conflict between Israel and the Philistines. The Hebrew term for "troops" (עָם, am) can also mean "people" or "nation," emphasizing the collective identity and unity of Israel under Saul's leadership. This highlights the communal aspect of Israel's struggle and the importance of solidarity in facing external threats.

were staying in Gibeah of Benjamin
Gibeah, located in the tribal territory of Benjamin, serves as a strategic military and political center. The Hebrew root for "Gibeah" (גִּבְעָה, Giv'ah) means "hill," indicating its elevated position, which would have been advantageous for defense. Benjamin, the smallest of the tribes, holds significant historical and prophetic importance, often associated with themes of redemption and transformation. This setting underscores the tension between Israel's divine calling and their current political struggles.

while the Philistines camped at Michmash
The Philistines, perennial adversaries of Israel, are encamped at Michmash, a location northeast of Gibeah. The Hebrew root for "Michmash" (מִכְמָשׂ, Mikhmas) suggests a place of "hiddenness" or "storage," possibly indicating a strategic military position. The Philistines' presence here represents the constant threat and pressure faced by Israel from surrounding nations. This juxtaposition of locations highlights the imminent conflict and the need for divine intervention and guidance.

(16) Gibeah of Benjamin.--Saul and his son, uniting their sadly diminished forces, entrench themselves at Geba, in a strong position at the end of a pass, whence they could watch the movements of the Philistines. Their small number forbade any idea of an attack on the enemy.

The English translators wrongly here substitute "Gibeah of Benjamin" for "Geba of Benjamin," probably led astray by the mention of Gibeah in the preceding verse.

Verse 16. - In Gibeah of Benjamin. This is an arbitrary change of the A.V. (in company with the Septuagint and Vulgate) for Geba, which is the word in the Hebrew text. Our translators no doubt considered that as Gibeah of Benjamin occurs in the previous verse, this must be the same place. But our greater knowledge of the geography of the Holy Land enables us to say that Geba is right; for, as we have seen, it was at one end of the defile, at the other end of which was Michmash; and here alone could the small army of Saul have any chance of defending itself against the vast host of the Philistines. However much we may blame Saul's disobedience, he was a skilful soldier and a brave man, and his going with his little band to the end of the pass to make a last desperate stand was an act worthy of a king.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now Saul
וְשָׁא֞וּל (wə·šā·’ūl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

and Jonathan
וְיוֹנָתָ֣ן (wə·yō·w·nā·ṯān)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3129: Jonathan

his son
בְּנ֗וֹ (bə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

and the troops
וְהָעָם֙ (wə·hā·‘ām)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

with them
עִמָּ֔ם (‘im·mām)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

were staying
יֹשְׁבִ֖ים (yō·šə·ḇîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in Geba
בְּגֶ֣בַע (bə·ḡe·ḇa‘)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1387: Geba -- a Levitical city of Benjamin

of Benjamin,
בִּנְיָמִ֑ן (bin·yā·min)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites

while the Philistines
וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים (ū·p̄ə·liš·tîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

camped
חָנ֥וּ (ḥā·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2583: To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp

at Michmash.
בְמִכְמָֽשׂ׃ (ḇə·miḵ·māś)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4363: Michmash -- a city in Benjamin


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OT History: 1 Samuel 13:16 Saul and Jonathan his son and (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 13:15
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