1 Samuel 13:6

6 When the Israelites saw that they were in trouble and that their troops were threatened, they hid in caves, in thickets, among rocks, in tunnels, and in cisterns.

1 Samuel 13:6 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 13:6

When the men of Israel saw they were in a strait, for the
people were distressed
By reason of the vast army that the Philistines brought into the field, greatly superior to theirs, and were likely to be encompassed by them on every side; so that nothing but destruction was expected, which gave them the utmost anxiety and uneasiness; though Abarbinel refers this last clause, not to the people of Israel, but to the people of the Philistines, and takes it in this sense,

for the people drew nigh;
the army of the Philistines was approaching, and got near to them; and so they were in great danger of being quickly attacked by them, and destroyed, their numbers being so great:

then the people did hide themselves in caves;
of which there were many in the land of Judea, capable of receiving a large number, as the cave of Adullam, the cave of Engedi and such as the Israelites made to hide themselves when oppressed by the Midianites, ( Judges 6:2 )

and in thickets;
woods and forests, or among thorns, as Jarchi; where there was a very great number of brambles and thorn bushes; some, as Kimchi, interpret the word of munitions, garrisons, and fortified places, to which they betook themselves:

in rocks, and in high places, and in pits;
in the holes of rocks and mountains, particularly in Mount Ephraim; see ( 1 Samuel 14:22 ) and where there were any pits or ditches, high or deep places, where they might be out of sight, and be sheltered from their enemies.

1 Samuel 13:6 In-Context

4 When all Israel heard that Saul had attacked the Philistine fort and that Israel was hated by the Philistines, the troops were called to Saul's side at Gilgal.

5 The Philistines also were gathered to fight against Israel. They brought thirty thousand chariots with them, six thousand cavalry, and as many soldiers as there is sand on the seashore to fight Israel. They marched up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

6 When the Israelites saw that they were in trouble and that their troops were threatened, they hid in caves, in thickets, among rocks, in tunnels, and in cisterns.

7 Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan River, going into the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul stayed at Gilgal, and the troops followed him anxiously.

8 He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel, but Samuel didn't come to Gilgal, and his troops began to desert.