1 samuel 13:1 - Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "1 samuel 13:1" mean?
The verse "Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years" from 1 Samuel 13:1 (though some versions omit "forty-two years") aims to provide key biographical information about Saul, Israel's first king:
"Saul was thirty years old when he became king..." This states Saul's age at the beginning of his reign. It gives us a sense of his maturity (or lack thereof) at the time he assumed leadership. He was likely a man in his prime. However, the number "thirty" is omitted from some translations. This is likely due to discrepancies in the original Hebrew texts. Some believe it was lost or corrupted over time.
"...and he reigned over Israel forty-two years." This specifies the duration of Saul's rule. It gives a timeframe for the events that unfold in the subsequent chapters, chronicling his successes and ultimately his tragic downfall. However, the "forty-two years" part is also omitted in some translations. This is due to textual criticism. There is debate among scholars as to whether it was originally present. If not, it may have been added later. If "forty-two years" is omitted, the bible does not give an exact length to Saul's reign. It is still presumed to be a long time, though.
Significance:
Establishing Saul's Legitimacy: By stating his age and reign length, the verse aims to ground Saul's kingship in historical reality.
Setting the Stage for Saul's Story: The details allow readers to situate Saul within the larger narrative of Israel's transition from a tribal confederacy to a monarchy. His age suggests a man ready to lead, while the reign length implies a significant period of transformation and conflict.
Note about Variations: The significant variations in the text (omissions of age and reign length) are important to acknowledge. Scholars consider these discrepancies when interpreting the verse and its surrounding context.
1 samuel 13:1 - Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years.
What does "1 samuel 13:1" mean?
The verse "Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years" from 1 Samuel 13:1 (though some versions omit "forty-two years") aims to provide key biographical information about Saul, Israel's first king:
"Saul was thirty years old when he became king..." This states Saul's age at the beginning of his reign. It gives us a sense of his maturity (or lack thereof) at the time he assumed leadership. He was likely a man in his prime. However, the number "thirty" is omitted from some translations. This is likely due to discrepancies in the original Hebrew texts. Some believe it was lost or corrupted over time.
"...and he reigned over Israel forty-two years." This specifies the duration of Saul's rule. It gives a timeframe for the events that unfold in the subsequent chapters, chronicling his successes and ultimately his tragic downfall. However, the "forty-two years" part is also omitted in some translations. This is due to textual criticism. There is debate among scholars as to whether it was originally present. If not, it may have been added later. If "forty-two years" is omitted, the bible does not give an exact length to Saul's reign. It is still presumed to be a long time, though.
Significance:
Establishing Saul's Legitimacy: By stating his age and reign length, the verse aims to ground Saul's kingship in historical reality.
Setting the Stage for Saul's Story: The details allow readers to situate Saul within the larger narrative of Israel's transition from a tribal confederacy to a monarchy. His age suggests a man ready to lead, while the reign length implies a significant period of transformation and conflict.
Note about Variations: The significant variations in the text (omissions of age and reign length) are important to acknowledge. Scholars consider these discrepancies when interpreting the verse and its surrounding context.