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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 13:1 Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/13-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/09_1Sa_13_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 13:1 - War with the Philistines" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and when he had reigned two years over Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/13.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Saul was <i>thirty</i> years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for <i>forty-</i>two years over Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/13.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty two years over Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Saul was <i>forty</i> years old when he began to reign, and he reigned <i>thirty</i>-two years over Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Saul was <i>thirty</i> years old when he began to reign, and he reigned <i>forty-</i>two years over Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Saul was <i>thirty</i> years old when he began to reign, and he reigned <i>forty</i>-two years over Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty-two years over Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Saul was 30 years old when he became king, and he reigned 42 years over Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/13.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Saul was [ forty ] years old when he began to reign; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Saul was a young man when he became king, and he ruled Israel for two years. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/13.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign; and he reigned two years over Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Saul was [thirty] years old when he became king, and he was king of Israel [forty-two] years. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/13.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Saul was 30 years old when he began to reign, and he ruled for 42 years over Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/13.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Saul was [thirty] years old when he began to reign; he ruled over Israel for [forty] years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Saul was ruling for less than a year, when he ruled during year two over Israel, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/13.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Saul [is] a son of [[thirty]] years in his reigning, and he has reigned over Israel [forty]-two years,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A son of a year is Saul in his reigning, yea, two years he hath reigned over Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Saul the son of a year in his reigning; and two years he reigned over Israel,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Saul was a child of one year when he began to reign, and he reigned two years over Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />When he began to reign, Saul was the son of one year, and he reigned over Israel for two years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/13.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />[Saul was. . .years old when he became king and he reigned. . .-two years over Israel.] <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Saul was�.�.�. years old when he began to reign; and he reigned�.�.�. and two years over Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />AND when Saul had reigned one or two years in his kingdom over Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/13.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And when Shaul reigned one or two years in his kingdom over Israel<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/13.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Saul was --years old when he began to reign; and two years he reigned over Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/13-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=3115" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/13.htm">War with the Philistines</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: šā·’ūl (N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">Saul</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">was thirty</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">years old</a> <a href="/hebrew/4427.htm" title="4427: bə·mā·lə·ḵōw (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3ms) -- A primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence to take counsel.">when he became king,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4427.htm" title="4427: mā·laḵ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence to take counsel.">and he reigned</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">over</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: ū·šə·tê (Conj-w:: Number-fdc) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">forty-two</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nîm (N-fp) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">years.</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>He chose for himself three thousand men of Israel: Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. And the rest of the troops he sent away, each to his own home.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-21.htm">Acts 13:21</a></span><br />Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-24.htm">1 Samuel 10:24-25</a></span><br />Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!” / Then Samuel explained to the people the rights of kingship. He wrote them on a scroll and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, each to his own home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-1.htm">1 Samuel 15:1</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to Saul, “The LORD sent me to anoint you king over His people Israel. Now therefore, listen to the words of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/9-16.htm">1 Samuel 9:16-17</a></span><br />“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.” / When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke; he shall rule over My people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/11-14.htm">1 Samuel 11:14-15</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.” / So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites rejoiced greatly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-13.htm">1 Samuel 12:13</a></span><br />Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you requested. Behold, the LORD has placed a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/5-4.htm">2 Samuel 5:4-5</a></span><br />David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. / In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/14-21.htm">1 Kings 14:21</a></span><br />Meanwhile, Rehoboam son of Solomon reigned in Judah. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel in which to put His Name. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/15-1.htm">1 Kings 15:1-2</a></span><br />In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijam became king of Judah, / and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/15-9.htm">1 Kings 15:9-10</a></span><br />In the twentieth year of Jeroboam’s reign over Israel, Asa became king of Judah, / and he reigned in Jerusalem forty-one years. His grandmother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/14-1.htm">2 Kings 14:1-2</a></span><br />In the second year of the reign of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz over Israel, Amaziah son of Joash became king of Judah. / He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan; she was from Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/15-1.htm">2 Kings 15:1-2</a></span><br />In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam’s reign over Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah became king of Judah. / He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/15-32.htm">2 Kings 15:32-33</a></span><br />In the second year of the reign of Pekah son of Remaliah over Israel, Jotham son of Uzziah became king of Judah. / He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother’s name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/16-1.htm">2 Kings 16:1-2</a></span><br />In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah, Ahaz son of Jotham became king of Judah. / Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. And unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD his God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/18-1.htm">2 Kings 18:1-2</a></span><br />In the third year of the reign of Hoshea son of Elah over Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz became king of Judah. / He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Abi, the daughter of Zechariah.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,</p><p class="hdg">A.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/12-5.htm">Exodus 12:5</a></b></br> Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take <i>it</i> out from the sheep, or from the goats:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6</a></b></br> Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, <i>and</i> bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/12-1.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-12.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/judges/9-22.htm">Reigned</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-7.htm">Reigning</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-15.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-8.htm">Thirty</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/13-2.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-11.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-10.htm">Reigned</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-1.htm">Reigning</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-2.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-5.htm">Thirty</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 13</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-1.htm">Saul's select band</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-3.htm">He calls the Hebrews to Gilgal against the Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-5.htm">The Philistines' great army</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-6.htm">The distress of the Israelites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-8.htm">Saul, weary of staying for Samuel, sacrifices</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-11.htm">Samuel reproves him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-17.htm">The three raiding parties of the Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/13-19.htm">The policy of the Philistines, to allow no blacksmith in Israel</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Saul was thirty years old when he became king</b><br>The age of Saul when he became king is not explicitly mentioned in the Hebrew text, leading to various interpretations. The number "thirty" is often used symbolically in the Bible to denote maturity and readiness for leadership, as seen with Joseph (<a href="/genesis/41-46.htm">Genesis 41:46</a>) and David (<a href="/2_samuel/5-4.htm">2 Samuel 5:4</a>). Saul's anointing as king marked a significant transition for Israel from a theocracy led by judges to a monarchy. This period was characterized by the Israelites' desire to be like other nations (<a href="/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5</a>), despite God's warnings through Samuel. Saul's kingship was a response to this demand, and his age at ascension suggests a time of vigor and potential for leadership.<p><b>and he reigned over Israel forty-two years</b><br>The duration of Saul's reign is debated due to textual variations. <a href="/acts/13-21.htm">Acts 13:21</a> mentions Saul's reign lasting forty years, which aligns with the general understanding of his rule. The number forty often symbolizes a period of testing or judgment in the Bible, as seen in the Israelites' forty years in the wilderness (<a href="/numbers/14-33.htm">Numbers 14:33-34</a>) and Jesus' forty days of fasting (<a href="/matthew/4-2.htm">Matthew 4:2</a>). Saul's reign was marked by initial successes but ultimately characterized by disobedience to God, leading to his rejection as king (<a href="/1_samuel/15-26.htm">1 Samuel 15:26</a>). His reign set the stage for David, a type of Christ, who would establish a kingdom reflecting God's covenant promises. Saul's leadership serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's commands.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. His reign marks the transition from the period of the judges to the monarchy in Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation chosen by God, consisting of twelve tribes. During Saul's reign, Israel faced numerous challenges from surrounding nations.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a></b><br>The last judge of Israel and a prophet who anointed Saul as king. He played a crucial role in guiding Israel during the transition to monarchy.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>Saul's reign began with promise but was marred by disobedience. This serves as a reminder of the importance of following God's commands faithfully.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_leadership.htm">God's Sovereignty in Leadership</a></b><br>Saul's anointing as king demonstrates God's control over leadership and His ability to raise leaders according to His purpose.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_impatience.htm">The Consequences of Impatience</a></b><br>Saul's later actions show the dangers of acting impulsively without seeking God's guidance, a lesson in the value of patience and trust in God's timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_accountability.htm">The Role of Accountability</a></b><br>Samuel's relationship with Saul underscores the need for accountability in leadership, emphasizing the importance of having godly counsel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legacy_and_influence.htm">Legacy and Influence</a></b><br>Saul's reign, though flawed, set the stage for future kings of Israel, illustrating how one's leadership can impact generations.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 13</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_1_sam_13_1-2_and_acts_13_21_align.htm">How does 1 Samuel 13:1–2 reconcile with Acts 13:21, which states Saul reigned for forty years? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_omit_saul's_age_reign_in_1_sam_13_1.htm">Why does 1 Samuel 13:1 omit Saul's exact age and reign length in many manuscripts, and how does this omission affect the text's reliability?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_saul's_punishment_so_severe.htm">Why is Saul's punishment in 1 Samuel 13:9-14 so severe for offering sacrifices, while other biblical characters commit greater offenses with fewer consequences?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_psalm_13's_distress.htm">Where is the historical or archaeological evidence that supports the specific distress described in Psalm 13?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) <span class= "bld">Saul reigned one year.</span>--The only possible literal translation of the Hebrew of this verse is, "Saul was the son of one year (<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>one year old); he began to reign, &c." In several places in the Books of Samuel the numbers are quite untrustworthy (we have another instance of this in the 5th verse of this chapter). The present verse, however, is an old difficulty, the corruption or gap in the text dating from a far back period. The English translation is simply a probable, but conjectural, paraphrase. The Chaldee and some of the Rabbis thus strangely interpret it: "Saul was an innocent child when he began to reign"--that is, was as innocent as a one year old child, &c. The Syriac and others paraphrase much as our English Version. The LXX. omit the verse altogether. The <span class= "ital">Speaker's Commentary </span>thus literally translates the Hebrew, marking with a--where a number probably originally stood: "Saul was--years old when he began to reign, and he reigned--and two years over Israel." On the whole, the usually accepted meaning is that Saul had reigned one year when the events related in the last chapter took place, and after he had reigned two years he chose out the 3,000 men, and did what is related in this chapter.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - Saul's age and length of reign. <span class="cmt_word">Saul reigned one year</span>. This verse literally translated is, "Saul was one year old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years over Israel." In its form it exactly follows the usual statement prefixed to each king's reign, of his age at his accession, and the years of his kingdom (<a href="/2_samuel/2-10.htm">2 Samuel 2:10</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/5-4.htm">2 Samuel 5:4</a>; <a href="/1_kings/14-21.htm">1 Kings 14:21</a>; <a href="/1_kings/22-42.htm">1 Kings 22:42</a>, etc.). The rendering of the A.V. is too forced and untenable to be worth discussing. As we have seen before, the numerals in the Books of Samuel are not trustworthy; but the difficulty here is an old one. The Vulgate translates the Hebrew literally, as we have given it; the Septuagint omits the verse, and the Syriac paraphrases as boldly as the A.V.: "When Saul had reigned one or two years." The Chaldee renders, "Saul was as innocent as a one-year-old child when he began to reign." In the Hexaplar version some anonymous writer has inserted the word <span class="accented">thirty</span>, rashly enough; for as Jonathan was old enough to have an important command (ver. 2), and was capable of the acts of a strong man (<a href="/1_samuel/14-14.htm">1 Samuel 14:14</a>), his father's age must have been at least thirty-five, and perhaps was even more. As regards the length of Saul's reign, St. Paul makes it forty years (<a href="/acts/13-21.htm">Acts 13:21</a>), exactly the same as that of David (<a href="/1_kings/2-11.htm">1 Kings 2:11</a>) and of Solomon (<a href="/1_kings/11-42.htm">1 Kings 11:42</a>); and Josephus testifies that such was the traditional belief of the Jews ('Antiq.,' 6:14, 9). On the other hand, it is remarkable that the word here for <span class="accented">years</span> is that used where the whole number is less than ten. The events, however, recorded in the rest of the book seem to require a longer period than ten years for the duration of Saul's reign; thirty-two would be a more probable number, and, added to the seven and a half years' reign of Ishbosheth (see <a href="/2_samuel/5-5.htm">2 Samuel 5:5</a>), they would make up the whole sum of forty years ascribed by St. Paul to Saul's dynasty. It is quite possible, however, that these forty years may even include the fifteen or sixteen years of Samuel's judgeship. But the two facts, that all the three sons of Saul mentioned in <a href="/1_samuel/14-49.htm">1 Samuel 14:49</a> were old enough to go with him to the battle of Mount Gilboa, where they were slain; and that Ishbosheth, his successor, was forty years of age when his father died, effectually dispose of the idea that Saul's was a very short reign. OCCASION OF THE FIRST WAR AGAINST THE PHILISTINES (vers. 2-7). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/13-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Saul</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁא֣וּל</span> <span class="translit">(šā·’ūl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> </span><span class="str2">Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was [thirty] years old</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(ben-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when he became king,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמָלְכ֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·mā·lə·ḵōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4427.htm">Strong's 4427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and he reigned</span><br /><span class="heb">מָלַ֖ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(mā·laḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4427.htm">Strong's 4427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">over</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[forty]-two</span><br /><span class="heb">וּשְׁתֵּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·šə·tê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Number - fdc<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">years.</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁנִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(šā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> </span><span class="str2">A year</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/13-1.htm">1 Samuel 13:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/13-1.htm">1 Samuel 13:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/13-1.htm">1 Samuel 13:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/13-1.htm">1 Samuel 13:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/13-1.htm">1 Samuel 13:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/13-1.htm">1 Samuel 13:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/13-1.htm">1 Samuel 13:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/13-1.htm">1 Samuel 13:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/13-1.htm">1 Samuel 13:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/13-1.htm">1 Samuel 13:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/13-1.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 13:1 Saul was forty years old when he (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/12-25.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 12:25"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 12:25" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/13-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 13:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 13:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>