Saul's Early Reign

Saul's Reign and Failure

• Saul became king of Israel at the age of thirty and reigned for forty-two years.
• He chose three thousand men from Israel, with two thousand stationed at Michmash and in Bethel's hill country, and one thousand stationed at Gibeah of Benjamin with Jonathan.
• Saul sent the rest of the troops back to their tents, leaving only three thousand men with him and Jonathan.

Jonathan's Attack on the Philistines

• Jonathan attacked the Philistine garrison in Geba, alerting the Philistines to the threat.
• Saul blew the ram's horn to gather all Israel, announcing that Saul had attacked the Philistine garrison and that Israel was now repulsive to the Philistines.

The Philistines' Response

• The Philistines assembled a massive army, consisting of three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore.
• They camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven, putting the Israelites in a difficult situation.

The Israelites' Reaction

• The Israelites hid in caves, thickets, rocks, and holes and cisterns due to their vulnerable position.
• Some Hebrews fled across the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead.