[5] This is within a section comprising 1 Samuel 7–15 which records the rise of the monarchy in Israel and the account of the first years of King Saul.

[7] Extant ancient manuscripts of a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint (originally was made in the last few centuries BCE) include Codex Vaticanus (B;

[10] He had to establish a standing army (verse 2), not just a militia, and achieved an initial success under the leadership of Jonathan, his son, against Philistine garrisons, despite with less force and inferior weapons.

[16] In the Hexapla version, Origin inserted the word "thirty" for Saul's age (now used in NIV, NLT, CSB, etc.).

However, it may not be correct because, at that time, Jonathan was old enough to command an army (verse 2) and capable of performing heroic acts (1 Samuel 14:14).

[13] Saul's defense of his actions reveals his superstitious character, that his movitation of the offerings was to seek 'the Lord's favor' for the battle as a kind of "good luck" charm,[28] a beginning move towards superstition and witchcraft as noticed by early church father, John Chrysostom.

[28] After giving his rebuke, Samuel left for Gibeah, then Saul, after counting his remaining army, decided to go to the same place.