English Bible Presentation Sharing - 1-Samuel Book, chapter 13, verse 20 in Nlt Version

1 Samuel 13 : 1 (NLT)

Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty-two years.

1 Samuel 13 : 2 (NLT)

Saul selected 3,000 special troops from the army of Israel and sent the rest of the men home. He took 2,000 of the chosen men with him to Micmash and the hill country of Bethel. The other 1,000 went with Saul's son Jonathan to Gibeah in the land of Benjamin.

1 Samuel 13 : 3 (NLT)

Soon after this, Jonathan attacked and defeated the garrison of Philistines at Geba. The news spread quickly among the Philistines. So Saul blew the ram's horn throughout the land, saying, "Hebrews, hear this! Rise up in revolt!"

1 Samuel 13 : 4 (NLT)

All Israel heard the news that Saul had destroyed the Philistine garrison at Geba and that the Philistines now hated the Israelites more than ever. So the entire Israelite army was summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.

1 Samuel 13 : 5 (NLT)

The Philistines mustered a mighty army of 3,000 chariots, 6,000 charioteers, and as many warriors as the grains of sand on the seashore! They camped at Micmash east of Beth-aven.

1 Samuel 13 : 6 (NLT)

The men of Israel saw what a tight spot they were in; and because they were hard pressed by the enemy, they tried to hide in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, and cisterns.

1 Samuel 13 : 7 (NLT)

Some of them crossed the Jordan River and escaped into the land of Gad and Gilead. Meanwhile, Saul stayed at Gilgal, and his men were trembling with fear.

1 Samuel 13 : 8 (NLT)

Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn't come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away.

1 Samuel 13 : 9 (NLT)

So he demanded, "Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!" And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself.

1 Samuel 13 : 10 (NLT)

Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him,

1 Samuel 13 : 11 (NLT)

but Samuel said, "What is this you have done?" Saul replied, "I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn't arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle.

1 Samuel 13 : 12 (NLT)

So I said, 'The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven't even asked for the LORD's help!' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came."

1 Samuel 13 : 13 (NLT)

"How foolish!" Samuel exclaimed. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you. Had you kept it, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.

1 Samuel 13 : 14 (NLT)

But now your kingdom must end, for the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart. The LORD has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command."

1 Samuel 13 : 15 (NLT)

Samuel then left Gilgal and went on his way, but the rest of the troops went with Saul to meet the army. They went up from Gilgal to Gibeah in the land of Benjamin. When Saul counted the men who were still with him, he found only 600 were left!

1 Samuel 13 : 16 (NLT)

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.

1 Samuel 13 : 17 (NLT)

Three raiding parties soon left the camp of the Philistines. One went north toward Ophrah in the land of Shual,

1 Samuel 13 : 18 (NLT)

another went west to Beth-horon, and the third moved toward the border above the valley of Zeboim near the wilderness.

1 Samuel 13 : 19 (NLT)

There were no blacksmiths in the land of Israel in those days. The Philistines wouldn't allow them for fear they would make swords and spears for the Hebrews.

1 Samuel 13 : 20 (NLT)

So whenever the Israelites needed to sharpen their plowshares, picks, axes, or sickles, they had to take them to a Philistine blacksmith.

1 Samuel 13 : 21 (NLT)

(The charges were as follows: a quarter of an ounce of silver for sharpening a plowshare or a pick, and an eighth of an ounce for sharpening an ax, a sickle, or an ox goad.)

1 Samuel 13 : 22 (NLT)

So on the day of the battle none of the people of Israel had a sword or spear, except for Saul and Jonathan.

1 Samuel 13 : 23 (NLT)

The pass at Micmash had meanwhile been secured by a contingent of the Philistine army.