² Saul chose three thousand out of Israel; two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin; the rest of the people he sent home to their tents.^(A)

¹⁵ And Samuel left and went on his way from Gilgal.^[a] The rest of the people followed Saul to join the army; they went up from Gilgal toward Gibeah of Benjamin.^[b]

Preparations for Battle

Saul counted the people who were present with him, about six hundred men.^(A)

¹⁶ Saul’s lookouts in Gibeah of Benjamin were watching as the multitude was surging back and forth.^[a](A)