1 Samuel 13:23-14:23 During the reign of Saul, a detachment of Philistines pushed far into the interior of Israel and occupied the strategic pass at Michmash. Saul’s forces were gathered at Migron on the outskirts of Gibeah of Benjamin, which was most likely the town of Geba, not Saul’s capital of Gibeah further south. After […]
Category Archives: United Monarchy Period
The Kingdoms of Saul, David, and Solomon
When Israel first settled in Canaan, they operated as a coalition of twelve tribes with no single ruler, though from time to time local leaders would rise up as needed to face certain threats (Judges 2-16). Beginning with Saul, however, the twelve tribes of Israel united under a single king in order to be more […]
The Battle at Elah
1 Samuel 17 When the Philistines prepared for battle near the strategically located Valley of Elah, the Israelites assembled on the other side of the valley to face them. After the Philistines’ champion Goliath had challenged the Israelites for forty days to select a champion to fight him, young David, who had already been anointed […]
David Flees from Saul
(Numbered events in narrative correspond to numbered events on maps.) 1) After David defeated Goliath and came to serve Saul at the royal court in Gibeah, he continued to demonstrate himself as an able commander and grew in favor with the people, and he developed a deep friendship with Saul’s son Jonathan. At the same […]
The Battle at Mount Gilboa
1 Samuel 28-31; 1 Chronicles 10 After the Philistines mustered their forces at Aphek and advanced to Shunem in the Jezreel Valley, the Israelites assembled their forces nearby at Jezreel. During the battle, the Israelites began to retreat up the slopes of Mount Gilboa. There Saul and his sons were killed, and the Philistines took […]