Shmuel Alef 13:7

7 And some of the Ivrim (Hebrews) went over Yarden to Eretz Gad and Gil‘ad. As for Sha’ul, he was yet in Gilgal, and kol HaAm followed him fearfully trembling.

Shmuel Alef 13:7 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 13:7

And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and
Gilead
As far off as they could from the Philistines, who lay on the west of the land of Israel, and these countries were to the east. Kimchi observes, that the land of Reuben is not mentioned, which was on the other side Jordan also; because that was nearer to it than what was inhabited by Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh; and therefore they chose to go further, thinking themselves there safer:

as for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal;
where he stayed till Samuel should come to him, as directed, ( 1 Samuel 10:8 ) to have his advice and counsel:

and all the people followed him trembling;
all that were with him, the army as distinct from the common people; they abode by him, and were at his command, and were ready to go where he should direct them; but with trembling hearts when they saw the pain of the people, fleeing into holes and corners, and considered what a huge host the Philistines were coming upon them with, and Samuel their prophet not with them to encourage and counsel them.

Shmuel Alef 13:7 In-Context

5 And the Pelishtim (Philistines) gathered themselves together to fight against Yisroel, sheloshim elef merkavot and sheshet alafim parashim, and soldiers like the chol (sand) which is on the seashore in multitude; and they came up, and encamped at Michmash, east of Beit-Aven.
6 When the Ish Yisroel saw that they were in danger (for the army was hard-pressed), then the people did hide themselves in me’arot (caves), and in thickets, and among rocks, and in towers, and in borot (pits).
7 And some of the Ivrim (Hebrews) went over Yarden to Eretz Gad and Gil‘ad. As for Sha’ul, he was yet in Gilgal, and kol HaAm followed him fearfully trembling.
8 And he tarried shivat yamim, according to the mo’ed (set time) that Shmuel had appointed; but Shmuel came not to Gilgal; and HaAm started slipping away from him.
9 And Sha’ul said, Bring to me the olah (burnt offering), and shelamim (peace offerings). And he offered the olah (burnt offering).
The Orthodox Jewish Bible fourth edition, OJB. Copyright 2002,2003,2008,2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International. All rights reserved.