Saul's Unlawful Offering
1 Samuel 13
With the Philistines massed at Machmas and his forces melting away in fear, Saul grows impatient waiting for Samuel and offers the burnt offering himself; Samuel arrives and rebukes him for disobedience, declaring that his kingdom will not continue and that the Lord will seek a man after his own heart to rule instead.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
2
ThomsonTHEN Saul chose for himself three thousand men from among the men of Israel, two thousand of whom were with Saul at Machmas and mount Baithel, and one thousand with Jonathan, at Gabaa, in Benjamin. And the rest of the people he dismissed every man to his tent.
BrentonAnd Saul chooses for himself three thousand men of the men of Israel: and there were with Saul two thousand who were in Machmas, and in mount Bæthel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gabaa of Benjamin: and he sent the rest of the people every man to his tent.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκλέγεται ἐαυτῷ Σαοὺλ τρεῖς χιλιάδας ἀνδρῶν ἐκ τῶν ἀνδρῶν Ἰσραήλ· καὶ ἦσαν μετὰ Σαοὺλ δισχίλιοι οἱ ἐν Μαχμὰς, καὶ ἐν τῷ ὄρει Βαιθήλ, καὶ χίλιοι ἦσαν μετὰ Ἰωνάθαν ἐν Γαβαὰ τοῦ Βενιαμίν· καὶ τὸ κατάλοιπον τοῦ λαοῦ ἐξαπέστειλεν ἕκαστον εἰς τὸ σκήνωμα αὐτοῦ.
KJVSaul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
JPSAnd Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmas and in the mount of Beth-el, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeath-benjamin; and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
3
ThomsonAnd Jonathan smote Nasib, the Philistine, who was in the fortress, and the Philistines heard of it, and Saul sounded a trumpet through all the land, saying, The servants have revolted!
BrentonAnd Jonathan smote Nasib the Philistine that dwelt in the hill; and the Philistines hear of it, and Saul sounds the trumpet through all the land, saying, The servants have despised us.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπάταξεν Ἰωνάθαν τὸν Νασὶβ τὸν ἀλλόφυλον τὸν ἐν τῷ βουνῷ· καὶ ἀκούουσιν οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι· καὶ Σαοὺλ σάλπιγγι σαλπίζει εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν, λέγων, ἠθετήκασιν οἱ δοῦλοι.
KJVAnd Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
JPSAnd Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the horn throughout all the land, saying: ‘Let the Hebrews hear.’
4
ThomsonAnd when all Israel heard the news that Saul had smitten Nasib the Philistine; though Israel had been put to shame by the Philistines, yet all the children of Israel went up after Saul to Galgala.
BrentonAnd all Israel heard say, Saul has smitten Nasib the Philistine; now Israel had been put to shame before the Philistines; and the children of Israel went up after Saul in Galgala.
GreekΚαὶ πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ ἤκουσε λεγόντων, πέπαικε Σαοὺλ τὸν Νασὶβ τὸν ἀλλόφυλον, καὶ ᾐσχύνθησαν Ἰσραὴλ ἐν τοῖς ἀλλοφύλοις· καὶ ἀνέβησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ ὀπίσω Σαοὺλ ἐν Γαλγάλοις.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten the garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also had made himself odious with the Philistines. And the people were gathered together after Saul to Gilgal.
5
ThomsonAnd the Philistines assembled for battle against Israel; and there came up against Israel, thirty thousand charioteers, and six thousand cavalry, and people like the sand on the seashore for multitude, and they encamped at Machmas, over against Baithoron, southward.
BrentonAnd the Philistines gather together to war with Israel; and then come up against Israel thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand by the seashore for multitude: and they come up, and encamp in Machmas, opposite Bæthoron southward.
GreekΚαὶ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι συνάγονται εἰς πόλεμον ἐπὶ Ἰσραήλ· καὶ ἀναβαίνουσιν ἐπὶ Ἰσραὴλ τριάκοντα χιλιάδες ἁρμάτων, καὶ ἓξ χιλιάδες ἱππέων, καὶ λαὸς ὡς ἡ ἄμμος ἡ παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν τῷ πλήθει· καὶ ἀναβαίνουσι καὶ παρεμβάλλουσιν ἐν Μαχμὰς ἐξ ἐναντίας Βαιθωρὼν κατὰ Νότου.
KJVAnd the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.
JPSAnd the Philistines assembled themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea-shore in multitude; and they came up, and pitched in Michmas, eastward of Beth-aven.
6
ThomsonAnd when Israel saw that they were strictly enjoined not to offer sacrifices, the people hid themselves in caves, and in dens, and among rocks, and in pits, and wells,
BrentonAnd the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait so that they could not draw nigh, and the people hid themselves in caves, and sheepfolds, and rocks, and ditches, and pits.
GreekΚαὶ ἀνὴρ Ἰσραὴλ εἶδεν ὅτι στενῶς αὐτῷ μὴ προσάγειν αὐτόν, καὶ ἐκρύβη ὁ λαὸς ἐν τοῖς σπηλαίοις, καὶ ἐν ταῖς μάνδραις, καὶ ἐν ταῖς πέτραις, καὶ ἐν τοῖς βόθροις, καὶ ἐν τοῖς λάκκοις.
KJVWhen the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
JPSWhen the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait—for the people were distressed—then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in holds, and in pits.
7
Thomsonand some crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad, and Galaad. As for Saul, he was still at Galgal; but all the people who followed him were in the utmost dread.
BrentonAnd they that went over went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Galaad: and Saul was yet in Galgala, and all the people followed after him in amazement.
GreekΚαὶ οἱ διαβαίνοντες διέβησαν τὸν Ἰορδάνην εἰς γῆν Γὰδ καὶ Γαλαάδ· καὶ Σαοὺλ ἔτι ἦν ἐν Γαλγάλοις, καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἐξέστη ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
JPSNow some of the Hebrews had gone over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead; but as for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
8
ThomsonAnd when he had waited seven days according to appointment, as Samuel said, and Samuel did not come to Galgal, and his people were dispersed from him,
BrentonAnd he continued seven days for the appointed testimony, as Samuel told him, and Samuel came not to Galgala, and his people were dispersed from him.
GreekΚαὶ διέλιπεν ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας τῷ μαρτυρίῳ, ὡς εἶπε Σαμουήλ, καὶ οὐ παρεγένετο Σαμουὴλ εἰς Γάλγαλα, καὶ διεσπάρη ὁ λαὸς αὐτοῦ ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
JPSAnd he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed; but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
9
ThomsonSaul said, Bring your offerings, that I may offer a whole burnt offering and peace offerings. So he offered the whole burnt offering.
BrentonAnd Saul said, Bring hither victims, that I may offer whole-burnt-offerings and peace-offerings: and he offered the whole-burnt-offering.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαούλ, προσαγάγετε ὅπως ποιήσω ὁλοκαύτωσιν καὶ εἰρηνικάς· καὶ ἀνήνεγκε τὴν ὁλοκαύτωσιν.
KJVAnd Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
JPSAnd Saul said: ‘Bring hither to me the burnt-offering and the peace-offerings.’ And he offered the burnt-offering.
10
ThomsonAnd just as he had finished carrying up the whole burnt offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to meet him, that he might give the blessing.
BrentonAnd it came to pass when he had finished offering the whole-burnt-offering, that Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to meet him, and to bless him.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ὡς συνετέλεσεν ἀναφέρων τὴν ὁλοκαύτωσιν, καὶ Σαμουὴλ παραγίνεται· καὶ ἐξῆλθε Σαοὺλ εἰς ἀπάντησιν αὐτῷ εὐλογῆσαι αὐτόν.
KJVAnd it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
JPSAnd it came to pass that, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt-offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
11
ThomsonAnd Samuel said, What hast thou done? Whereupon Saul said, Because I saw that the people were dispersed from me, and that thou wast not come, in the appointed days, and that the Philistines were assembled at Machmas,
BrentonAnd Samuel said, What hast thou done? and Saul said, Because I saw how the people were scattered from me, and thou wast not present as thou purposedst according to the set time of the days, and the Philistines were gathered to Machmas.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαμουήλ, τί πεποίηκας; καὶ εἶπε Σαούλ, ὅτι εἶδον ὡς διεσπάρη ὁ λαὸς ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ, καὶ σὺ οὐ παρεγένου ὡς διετάξω ἐν τῷ μαρτυρίῳ τῶν ἡμερῶν, καὶ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι συνήχθησαν εἰς Μαχμάς,
KJVAnd Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
JPSAnd Samuel said: ‘What hast thou done?’ And Saul said: ‘Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines assembled themselves together against Michmas;
12
ThomsonI said, Now will the Philistines come down upon me to Galgal, and I have not made my supplication to the Lord, therefore I forced myself, and offered the whole burnt offering.
BrentonThen I said, Now will the Philistines come down to me to Galgala, and I have not sought the face of the Lord: so I forced myself and offered the whole-burnt-offering.
Greekκαὶ εἶπα, νῦν καταβήσονται οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι πρὸς μὲ εἰς Γάλγαλα, καὶ τοῦ προσώπου τοῦ κυρίου οὐκ ἐδεήθην· καὶ ἐνεκρατευσάμην, καὶ ἀνήνεγκα τὴν ὁλοκαύτωσιν.
KJVTherefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
JPStherefore said I: Now will the Philistines come down upon me to Gilgal, and I have not entreated the favour of the LORD; I forced myself therefore, and offered the burnt-offering.’
13
ThomsonAnd Samuel said to Saul, It is of no avail to thee, because thou hast not kept my command which the Lord commanded thee. Till now the Lord had prepared thy kingdom over Israel forever:
BrentonAnd Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly; for thou hast not kept my command, which the Lord commanded thee, as now the Lord would have confirmed thy kingdom over Israel for ever.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαμουὴλ πρὸς Σαοὺλ, μεματαίωταί σοι, ὅτι οὐκ ἐφύλαξας τὴν ἐντολήν μου, ἣν ἐνετείλατό σοι Κύριος, ὡς νῦν ἡτοίμασε Κύριος τὴν βασιλείαν σου ἐπὶ Ἰσραὴλ ἕως αἰῶνος.
KJVAnd Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
JPSAnd Samuel said to Saul: ‘Thou hast done foolishly; thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which He commanded thee; for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
14
Thomsonbut now thy kingdom will not be continued to thee. But the Lord will seek for Himself a man after His own heart; and the Lord will appoint him to be ruler over His people, because thou hast not kept all that the Lord commanded thee.
BrentonBut now thy kingdom shall not stand to thee, and the Lord shall seek for himself a man after his own heart; and the Lord shall appoint him to be a ruler over his people, because thou hast not kept all that the Lord commanded thee.
GreekΚαὶ νῦν ἡ βασιλεία σου οὐ στήσεταί σοι, καὶ ζητήσει Κύριος ἑαυτῷ ἄνθρωπον κατὰ τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐντελεῖται Κύριος αὐτῷ εἰς ἄρχοντα ἐπὶ τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ, ὅτι οὐκ ἐφύλαξας ὅσα ἐνετείλατό σοι Κύριος.
KJVBut now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
JPSBut now thy kingdom shall not continue; the LORD hath sought him a man after His own heart, and the LORD hath appointed him to be prince over His people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.’
15
ThomsonThen Samuel arose, and departed from Galgal, and the remnant of the people went up after Saul, to overtake the men of war. And when they were come from Galgal to Gabaa of Benjamin, Saul reviewed the people who were with him, about six hundred men.
BrentonAnd Samuel arose, and departed from Galgala, and the remnant of the people went after Saul to meet him after the men of war, when they had come out of Galgala to Gabaa of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were found with him, about six hundred men.
GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστη Σαμουὴλ, καὶ ἀπῆλθεν ἐκ Γαλγάλων· καὶ τὸ κατάλειμμα τοῦ λαοῦ ἀνέβη ὀπίσω Σαοὺλ εἰς ἀπάντησιν ὀπίσω τοῦ λαοῦ τοῦ πολεμιστοῦ· αὐτῶν παραγενομένων ἐκ Γαλγάλων εἰς Γαβαὰ Βενιαμίν. Καὶ ἐπεσκέψατο Σαοὺλ τὸν λαὸν τὸν εὑρεθέντα μετʼ αὐτοῦ ὡς ἑξακοσίους ἄνδρας.
KJVAnd Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.
JPSAnd Samuel arose, and got him up from Gilgal unto Gibeath-benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.
16
ThomsonSo Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people who were with them, halted at Gabaa of Benjamin, and wept.
BrentonAnd Saul and Jonathan his son, and the people that were found with them, halted in Gabaa of Benjamin; and they wept: and the Philistines had encamped in Machmas.
GreekΚαὶ Σαοὺλ καὶ Ἰωνάθαν υἱὸς αὐτοῦ καὶ ὁ λαὸς οἱ εὑρεθέντες μετʼ αὐτῶν ἐκάθισαν ἐν Γαβαὰ Βενιαμὶν, καὶ ἔκλαιον· Καὶ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι παρεμβεβλήκεισαν ἐν Μαχμάς.
KJVAnd Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
JPSAnd Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeath-benjamin; but the Philistines encamped in Michmas.
17
ThomsonNow while the Philistines lay encamped at Machmas, there went out spoilers from the field of the Philistines, in three bands. One band took the way of Gophera, to the land of Sogel;
BrentonAnd men came forth to destroy out of the land of the Philistines in three companies; one company turning by the way of Gophera toward the land of Sogal,
GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθε διαφθείρων ἐξ ἀγροῦ ἀλλοφύλων τρισὶν ἀρχαῖς· ἡ ἀρχὴ ἡ μία ἐπιβλέπουσα ὁδὸν Γοφερὰ ἐπὶ γὴν Σωγὰλ,
KJVAnd the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:
JPSAnd the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual;
18
Thomsonanother took the way to Baithoron, and another took the way of Gabaa, which leadeth by Gai to Sabim.
Brentonand another company turning the way of Bæthoron, and another company turning by the way of Gabae that turns aside to Gai of Sabim.
Greekκαὶ ἡ ἀρχὴ ἡ μία ἐπιβλέπουσα ὁδὸν Βαιθωρὼν, καὶ ἡ ἀρχὴ ἡ μία ἐπιβλέπουσα ὁδὸν Γαβαὲ τὴν εἰσκύπτουσαν ἐπὶ Γαὶ τὴν Σαβίμ.
KJVAnd another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
JPSand another company turned the way to Beth-horon; and another company turned the way of the border that looketh down upon the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
19
Thomson(Now there was not a blacksmith to be found in all the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, The Hebrews must not make a sword or a spear;
BrentonAnd there was not found a smith in all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make themselves sword or spear.
GreekΚαὶ τέκτων σιδήρου οὐχ εὑρίσκετο ἐν πάσῃ γῇ Ἰσραὴλ, ὅτι εἶπον οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι, μὴ ποιήσωσιν οἱ Ἑβραῖοι ῥομφαίαν καὶ δόρυ.
KJVNow there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
JPSNow there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel; for the Philistines said: ‘Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears’;
20
Thomsonso that all the Israelites went down to the land of the Philistines, every one to get a scythe, or a tool made; and every one to get his axe, or his sickle.
BrentonAnd all Israel went down to the land of the Philistines to forge every one his reaping-hook and his tool, and every one his axe and his sickle.
GreekΚαὶ κατέβαινον πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ εἰς γῆν ἀλλοφύλων χαλκεύειν ἕκαστος τὸ θέριστρον αὐτοῦ καὶ τὸ σκεῦος αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἕκαστος τὴν ἀξίνην αὐτοῦ καὶ τὸ δρέπανον αὐτοῦ.
KJVBut all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.
JPSbut all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his plowshare, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.
21
ThomsonAnd when a vine dresser wanted to prune his vineyard, his tools cost him three shekels for a saw; and his axe and his pruning hook cost the same.
BrentonAnd it was near the time of vintage: and their tools were valued at three shekels for a ploughshare, and there was the same rate for the axe and the sickle.
GreekΚαὶ ἦν ὁ τρυγητὸς ἕτοιμος τοῦ θερίζειν· τὰ δὲ σκεύη ἦν τρεῖς σίκλοι εἰς τὸν ὀδόντα, καὶ τῇ ἀξίνῃ καὶ τῷ δρεπάνῳ ὑπόστασις ἦν ἡ αὐτή.
KJV—
JPS—
22
ThomsonSo that in the days of the battle of Machmas there was not a sword, or a spear found in the hand of all the people who were with Saul and Jonathan. They were to be found with Saul only, and Jonathan his son.)
BrentonAnd it came to pass in the days of the war of Machmas, that there was not a sword or spear found in the hand of all the people, that were with Saul and Jonathan; but with Saul and Jonathan his son was there found.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγενήθη ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τοῦ πολέμου Μαχμὰς, καὶ οὐχ εὑρέθη ῥομφαία καὶ δόρυ ἐν χειρὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ τοῦ μετὰ Σαοὺλ καὶ μετὰ Ἰωνάθαν· καὶ εὑρέθη τῷ Σαοὺλ καὶ τῷ Ἰωνὰθαν υἱῷ αὐτοῦ.
KJVSo it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
JPSSo it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan; but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
23
ThomsonNow from the main body of the Philistines, there was an advanced party on the side of Machmas.
BrentonAnd there went out some from the camp of the Philistines to the place beyond Machmas.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἐξ ὑποστάσεως τῶν ἀλλοφύλων τὴν ἐν τῷ πέραν Μαχμάς.
KJVAnd the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.
JPSAnd the garrison of the Philistines went out unto the pass of Michmas.