Now Saulchosefor himself 3,000men of Israel,of which 2,000were with Saulin Michmashand in the hillcountryof Bethel,while 1,000were with Jonathanat Gibeahof Benjamin.But he sentawaythe restof the people,eachto his tent.
Now a worthlessfellowhappenedto be therewhose namewas Sheba,the sonof Bichri,a Benjamite;and he blewthe trumpetand said,"We havenoportionin David,Nordo we have inheritancein the sonof Jesse;Everymanto his tents,O Israel!"
let sevenmenfrom his sonsbe givento us, and we will hangthem before the LORDin Gibeahof Saul,the chosenof the LORD."And the kingsaid,"I will give[them]."
Helebthe sonof Baanahthe Netophathite,Ittaithe sonof Ribaiof Gibeahof the sonsof Benjamin,
the menof Michmas,122;
The sonsof Benjaminalso [lived] from Geba[onward], at Michmashand Aija,at Betheland its towns,
and Zelah,Haelephand the Jebusite(that is, Jerusalem),Gibeah,Kiriath;fourteencitieswith their villages.Thisis the inheritanceof the sonsof Benjaminaccording to their families.
So Joshuablessedthem and sentthem away,and they wentto their tents.
However, his mastersaidto him, "We will not turnasideinto the cityof foreignerswhoare not of the sonsof Israel;but we will goon as faras Gibeah."
Saulalsowentto his houseat Gibeah;and the valiant[men] whoseheartsGodhad touchedwentwith him.
"Afterwardyou will cometo the hillof Godwherethe Philistinegarrisonis; and it shall be as soon as you have comethereto the city,that you will meeta groupof prophetscomingdownfrom the highplacewith harp,tambourine,flute,and a lyrebeforethem, and they will be prophesying.
Saulwas [thirty] yearsoldwhen he began to reign,and he reigned[forty] twoyearsoverIsrael.
But Samuelsaid,"Whathave you done?"And Saulsaid,"BecauseI sawthat the peoplewere scatteringfrom me, and that you did not comewithin the appointeddays,and that the Philistineswere assemblingat Michmash,
Then Samuelaroseand wentup from Gilgalto Gibeahof Benjamin.And Saulnumberedthe peoplewho were presentwith him, about sixhundredmen.
Now Sauland his sonJonathanand the peoplewho were presentwith them were stayingin Gebaof Benjaminwhile the Philistinescampedat Michmash.
And the garrisonof the Philistineswentout to the passof Michmash.
Now the Philistinesassembledto fightwith Israel,30000chariotsand 6,000horsemen,and peoplelike the sandwhichis on the seashorein abundance;and they cameup and campedin Michmash,eastof Beth-aven.
They struckamong the Philistinesthat dayfrom Michmashto Aijalon.And the peoplewere veryweary.
The onecragroseon the northoppositeMichmash,and the otheron the southoppositeGeba.
Now the waragainstthe Philistineswas severeallthe daysof Saul;and when Saulsawanymightymanor anyvaliantman,he attachedhim to his staff.
Then Samuelwentto Ramah,but Saulwentup to his houseat Gibeahof Saul.
He cameto the sheepfoldson the way,wherethere[was] a cave;and Saulwentin to relievehimself. Now Davidand his menwere sittingin the innerrecessesof the cave.
So Saularoseand wentdownto the wildernessof Ziph,having with him threethousandchosenmenof Israel,to searchfor Davidin the wildernessof Ziph.
He said,"Thiswill be the procedureof the kingwhowill reignoveryou: he will takeyour sonsand place[them] for himself in his chariotsand among his horsemenand they will runbeforehis chariots.
