And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.

1 SAMUEL 13:4KJV
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1 Samuel 13:4 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 13:4 mean?

1 Samuel 13:4 describes how all the people of Israel heard that Saul had attacked a Philistine outpost and that, as a result, Israel had become hated by the Philistines. In response, the people were summoned to gather with Saul at Gilgal.

This verse is set just after Saul’s son Jonathan attacked a Philistine garrison, which triggered a crisis with the Philistines. News spread quickly among the Israelites, making them aware that their actions had provoked the Philistines’ anger. Saul, as king, called the people together at Gilgal to prepare for what would likely be a major conflict.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 13:4

  • "abomination" (תּוֹעֵבָה, toʿevah): This word means something detestable or loathsome. Here, it shows that the Philistines saw Israel not just as an enemy, but as deeply offensive or hateful after the attack.
  • "garrison" (נְצִיב, netsiv): This refers to a military outpost or station. The use of this word highlights that the Philistines had a military presence within Israelite territory, showing the tension and occupation before the conflict escalated.
  • "together" (צָעַק, tsaʿaq): This word can mean to call out or summon. In this context, it emphasizes that Saul was rallying or assembling the people in response to the crisis.

Why 1 Samuel 13:4 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Saul’s leadership was under immediate pressure, as his actions (or those of his son) led to a national emergency with the Philistines.
  • The use of "abomination" shows the depth of hostility that now existed between Israel and the Philistines, marking a turning point in their relationship.
  • The gathering at Gilgal sets the stage for the events that follow, where Saul’s leadership and obedience to God will be tested in the face of overwhelming odds.

Where else these words appear

“garrison” Hebrew H5333 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 19:26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
  • 2 Samuel 8:6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:16 And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines' garrison was then at Bethlehem.

“abomination” Hebrew H887 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Exodus 16:20 Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah, and out of Zobah.

“Gilgal” Hebrew H1537 · used in 39 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:30 Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?
  • Joshua 14:6 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.
  • 1 Samuel 15:21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.

“together” Hebrew H6817 · used in 53 verses

  • Genesis 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
  • Deuteronomy 26:7 And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression:
  • 2 Kings 8:5 And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.