1 Samuel 13:4

Was had in abomination. Perhaps better, “made themselves odious.” The same verb is used in describing manna that had been left overnight (Ex. 16:20, 24).

After Saul to Gilgal. Inasmuch as the kingdom had been confirmed at Gilgal (ch. 11:14, 15), Saul called all Israel to assemble there rather than at Gibeah or Michmash, where their preparations could be observed by the Philistines. The Philistines would have little difficulty in reaching the latter place, by marching through the various tributary wadies. It is difficult to understand why Saul did not ask Israel to reinforce the army already stationed in the district of Benjamin. That would have been near the home of Samuel and close to the sacred site of Bethel (see on ch. 1:1). The rocks of the wadi at Geba would make a magnificent fortress, and certainly the residents of that district knew more about the defensive terrain than did the Philistines, now bent on vengeance. In his dilemma Saul seems to have remembered what Samuel had told him about going to Gilgal (ch. 10:8).