Well, a man after their heart is chosen by God. A man named Saul. Head and shoulders above the rest of them, surely he is a leader! And . . he was attractive. That's the guy. Everything about his outward appearance is exactly what they wanted.
In time, their new king would find himself battling Israel's old enemy - the Philistines. The Philistines ruled over Israel in those days. Israel was in bondage - again. In chapter 13, the battle lines are precisely drawn. Jonathan attacks the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba. The ruling Philistines sound the alarm. These uppity Hebrews think they can overcome us! The enemy response is overwhelming. A multitude of chariots, horsemen and people "as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude" arrive at the doorstep of Saul's army which is gathered at Gilgal. As someone has said, Israel "poked the bear."
It must have been quite a sight. Israel looking up the rocky slopes from the plain just northwest of Jericho where Gilgal was toward the hills of Benjamin. Michmash and Geba were up there. The silhouettes of the enemy filled the skyline. Chariots, horsemen, officers, soldiers. Israel felt the danger. They were afraid. It caused them to hide. They hid in caves . . in thickets . . in rocks . . in holes . . and in pits. Some simply high-tailed it out of there. Sprinting toward the Jordan and lands beyond. So many places for the people of God to hide.
