This verse shows how Saul and the Philistines positioned themselves for a decisive clash that would shape Israel’s future.
So the Philistines gathered together and came and camped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together and they camped in Gilboa. (v.4)
This verse sets a pivotal scene in Israel’s history. The Philistines gathered together in large numbers and came and camped in Shunem (v.4), a location in the fertile Valley of Jezreel, on the southern slope of Mount Moreh. Surrounded by strategic farmland, Shunem was where significant encounters took place throughout the Old Testament (2 Kings 4:8). By assembling there, the Philistines gained a vantage point from which they could threaten central Israel. Meanwhile, Saul gathered all Israel together and they camped in Gilboa (v.4), an elevated region roughly fifteen miles southeast of Shunem. This mountainous area, known as the Mountains of Gilboa, offered a defensive high ground, though it would later prove to be where Saul faced severe defeat (1 Samuel 31:1-6).
Saul, reigning as Israel’s first king from around 1051 to 1011 B.C., stands at a crucial juncture in his leadership in this verse. His kingship began with promise (1 Samuel 10:1), but over time he deviated from God’s commands. The gathering at Gilboa foreshadows the tension in Saul’s reign; his fear of the Philistine threat and unrest in his heart will drive him, in the subsequent verses, to seek forbidden counsel from a medium (1 Samuel 28:7). This moment underscores how disobedience to God leads to spiritual distance and desperation, connecting with a timeless principle repeated in the New Testament: trusting in the Lord rather than turning to worldly or forbidden sources for answers (James 1:5).
The encampment of these two armies highlights the ongoing power struggle that Israel often faced with the Philistines. The positioning in Shunem and Gilboa set the stage for a critical confrontation. From a broader biblical narrative, the conflict encapsulates humanity’s persistent warfare against spiritual adversaries (Ephesians 6:12). Saul’s approaching defeat also points ahead to the rise of David, the next anointed king, aligning with God’s sovereign plan for Israel and preparing the way for the eventual coming of Jesus in the New Testament genealogy (Matthew 1:1-17).
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1 Samuel 28:4 meaning
So the Philistines gathered together and came and camped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together and they camped in Gilboa. (v.4)
This verse sets a pivotal scene in Israel’s history. The Philistines gathered together in large numbers and came and camped in Shunem (v.4), a location in the fertile Valley of Jezreel, on the southern slope of Mount Moreh. Surrounded by strategic farmland, Shunem was where significant encounters took place throughout the Old Testament (2 Kings 4:8). By assembling there, the Philistines gained a vantage point from which they could threaten central Israel. Meanwhile, Saul gathered all Israel together and they camped in Gilboa (v.4), an elevated region roughly fifteen miles southeast of Shunem. This mountainous area, known as the Mountains of Gilboa, offered a defensive high ground, though it would later prove to be where Saul faced severe defeat (1 Samuel 31:1-6).
Saul, reigning as Israel’s first king from around 1051 to 1011 B.C., stands at a crucial juncture in his leadership in this verse. His kingship began with promise (1 Samuel 10:1), but over time he deviated from God’s commands. The gathering at Gilboa foreshadows the tension in Saul’s reign; his fear of the Philistine threat and unrest in his heart will drive him, in the subsequent verses, to seek forbidden counsel from a medium (1 Samuel 28:7). This moment underscores how disobedience to God leads to spiritual distance and desperation, connecting with a timeless principle repeated in the New Testament: trusting in the Lord rather than turning to worldly or forbidden sources for answers (James 1:5).
The encampment of these two armies highlights the ongoing power struggle that Israel often faced with the Philistines. The positioning in Shunem and Gilboa set the stage for a critical confrontation. From a broader biblical narrative, the conflict encapsulates humanity’s persistent warfare against spiritual adversaries (Ephesians 6:12). Saul’s approaching defeat also points ahead to the rise of David, the next anointed king, aligning with God’s sovereign plan for Israel and preparing the way for the eventual coming of Jesus in the New Testament genealogy (Matthew 1:1-17).