1 Samuel 13:23 Meaning and Explanation
“And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A Philistine detachment advances to take position at the pass of Michmash.
What Does 1 Samuel 13:23 Mean?
The chapter closes with the Philistine garrison moving out to hold the pass of Michmash, the narrow crossing between the two camps. The scene is set and the tension drawn taut.
This single sentence leaves the reader poised on the edge of conflict, the enemy pressing forward while Israel stands weak and few. It is just such a moment, when no human hope remains, that Scripture loves to fill with the unexpected working of God. What seems a dead end becomes the doorway to deliverance.
1 Samuel 13:23 in the Original Language
maabar (מַעֲבָר), 'passage' -- a ford or narrow pass, the chokepoint where a few might stand against many.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 13:23
What does 1 Samuel 13:23 mean?
A Philistine detachment advances to take position at the pass of Michmash.