And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.

1 SAMUEL 28:4KJV
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1 Samuel 28:4 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 28:4 mean?

1 Samuel 28:4 describes how the Philistine army gathered and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul assembled all the Israelite forces and camped at Gilboa. This sets the stage for a major confrontation between the Philistines and Israel.

The verse is part of a narrative where the Philistines, Israel's longtime enemies, are preparing for battle against King Saul and his army. The specific locations—Shunem for the Philistines and Gilboa for Saul’s forces—are important because they show how close the two armies are, highlighting the tension and seriousness of the coming conflict.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 28:4

  • "Gathered together" (קָבַץ, qavats): This word appears for both the Philistines and Israel, emphasizing that both sides are mustering their full strength for a decisive encounter.
  • "Pitched" (חָנָה, chanah): This word means to set up camp, not just to stop for the night, but to prepare for a significant event—here, a battle.
  • "Shunem" (שׁוּנֵם, Shunem) and "Gilboa" (גִּלְבֹּעַ, Gilboa): These place names are not just geographical markers; they signal strategic locations in the Jezreel Valley, with Gilboa being a ridge that gives Israel a defensive position.

Why 1 Samuel 28:4 matters

  • The verse clarifies that both armies are fully mobilized and ready, not just small raiding parties, which raises the stakes for what follows.
  • Knowing the locations helps readers understand the military strategy and the looming danger for Saul, since Gilboa is close to enemy lines.
  • This setup leads directly into the dramatic events that follow in the chapter, including Saul’s desperate search for guidance, showing his anxiety and the seriousness of the threat.

Where else these words appear

“Shunem” Hebrew H7766 · used in 3 verses

  • Joshua 19:18 And their border was toward Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem,
  • 2 Kings 4:8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.

“Gilboa” Hebrew H1533 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Samuel 31:1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
  • 2 Samuel 1:6 And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.
  • 2 Samuel 21:12 And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:

“together” Hebrew H6908 · used in 121 verses

  • Genesis 41:35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,
  • Jeremiah 31:8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.

“pitched” Hebrew H2583 · used in 135 verses

  • Genesis 26:17 And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
  • Numbers 33:10 And they removed from Elim, and encamped by the Red sea.
  • Judges 6:4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.