Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 13:4. It’s a really important story about God’s judgment and a shift in Israel’s relationship with their enemies. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: Saul was a problem: Before long, Saul, the king of Israel, made a terrible mistake – he had sent his soldiers to capture a garrison (a group of soldiers) of Philistines (another group of people). Israel turned to the Philistines: This action caused a huge problem. Instead of being friendly with the Philistines, the Israelites started wanting to be friends with them! It was like they became more comfortable and even desired to be treated like them. A call to assemble: Because of this, God decided he needed to address the situation. He called a meeting of the people – all the Israelites – together. Putting it Together - What's Happening? The verse says that after Saul’s mistake, God sent a message to Israel: “Let us gather together.” This gathering was held in Gilgal. So, essentially, this story is about God’s judgment because of Saul’s actions. He chose to make the Israelites more comfortable with the Philistines than friendly with them – it was a big mistake that caused trouble for the entire nation. Important Note: It's important to remember that this verse doesn’t mean everyone in Israel became friends with the Philistines. It was a significant shift, and God's judgment came about because of Saul’s choices. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? For example, I could: Explain the significance of "Saul's mistake." Discuss what this event reveals about God's perspective on conflict and judgment.