Verse 2
2. Saul chose… three thousand… of Israel This was probably the first act of his reign, and done at Gilgal immediately after the renewal of the kingdom there. Then all the fighting men of the nation were assembled, numbering over three hundred thousand, (1 Samuel 11:8,) and there could have been no more opportune occasion on which to select a choice standing army.
Michmash This ancient city lay four miles southeast of Beth-el, and its site is identical with the modern Mukhmas, where the traveller still finds many foundations of large hewn stones, and columns lying among them.
Mount Beth-el Like mount Ephraim (1 Samuel 1:1) not a single mountain, but a range of hills, intermediate between Beth-el and Michmash. On these heights Saul stationed his two thousand warriors, and for the time probably had his headquarters at Michmash.
A thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin This city was called Gibeah of Benjamin, because it belonged to that tribe. Joshua 18:28; Judges 19:14. Its site was at the base of the modern Tuleil-el-Ful, five miles southwest of Michmash. It appears from this passage that Saul had, at the beginning of his reign, a son old enough to take charge of a garrison of a thousand men. He must have been, then, at least forty years of age. Here we first meet with Jonathan, the strategic warrior and fast friend of David.
The rest of the people Who had assembled at Gilgal to witness the inauguration of Saul. Having chosen from among them three thousand valiant men, he dismissed the remainder to their homes.
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