Reading for February 29th

 Read 1 Samuel 13.1-15a. in 13.1-14.52: Saul's wars with the Philistines. In 13.1 Saul's age at his accession is unknown. The Hebrew text actually says he was one year old, which is, of course, impossible it also says, that he reigned two years, but the events recounted for huis reign indicate a much longer period. In verses 3-4: Jonathan, Saul's son is mentioned here for the first time. Since he is a grown man, this story is substantially later that 9.1-10..16, where Saul appears as a young man. Both Jonathan and Saul are credited with defeating the Philistine garrison. This may indicate the composite nature of the account, or Saul, as king, may have received the credit for his son's victory. Geba and Gibeah are very similar in Hebrew and appear to be confused here. In verses 7b-15a: This story of Saul's rejection alludes to Samuel's order in 10.8, Both passages refer to an interval of seven days between them, but the intervening events in chs. 10-12 would require a much longer time. The nature of Saul's sin is not altogether clear. Perhaps he is condemned for trying to usurp Samuel's role of religious leadership. The man after (Yahweh's) own heart is an allusion to David. It does not imply any special quality of David but is simply a way of saying that he is chosen by the Lord. Comments or Questions..