1 Samuel 13:18
And another company turned the way to Beth-horon: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָרֹ֨אשׁ
company
H7218
וְהָרֹ֨אשׁ
company
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
1 of 16
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
אֶחָ֤ד
And another
H259
אֶחָ֤ד
And another
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
יִפְנֶה֙
turned
H6437
יִפְנֶה֙
turned
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
3 of 16
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
the way
H1870
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
4 of 16
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
חֹר֑וֹן
to Bethhoron
H1032
חֹר֑וֹן
to Bethhoron
Strong's:
H1032
Word #:
6 of 16
beth-choron, the name of two adjoining places in palestine
וְהָרֹ֨אשׁ
company
H7218
וְהָרֹ֨אשׁ
company
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
7 of 16
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
אֶחָ֤ד
And another
H259
אֶחָ֤ד
And another
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
יִפְנֶה֙
turned
H6437
יִפְנֶה֙
turned
Strong's:
H6437
Word #:
9 of 16
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
the way
H1870
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
10 of 16
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הַגְּב֔וּל
of the border
H1366
הַגְּב֔וּל
of the border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
הַנִּשְׁקָ֛ף
that looketh
H8259
הַנִּשְׁקָ֛ף
that looketh
Strong's:
H8259
Word #:
12 of 16
properly, to lean out (of a window), i.e., (by implication) peep or gaze (passively, be a spectacle)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
גֵּ֥י
to the valley
H1516
גֵּ֥י
to the valley
Strong's:
H1516
Word #:
14 of 16
a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)
Historical Context
The valley of Zeboim ('valley of hyenas') led toward the Jordan valley and wilderness of Judah. These raids would have disrupted harvest, destroyed food supplies, and terrorized the population into submission. Philistine strategy aimed at economic devastation rather than direct military confrontation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God often allow situations to become humanly impossible before demonstrating His power?
- When has complete helplessness prepared you to see God's deliverance more clearly?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And another company turned the way to Beth-horon: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
The third raiding company heads toward 'the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness,' completing the picture of Israel's vulnerability. The geographic specificity emphasizes the comprehensiveness of Philistine control - north, west, and east are all under assault. Saul's six hundred men could not possibly counter three simultaneous raiding parties. The situation appears hopeless from human perspective, setting the stage for God's deliverance through Jonathan's faith. Divine power shines brightest against impossible odds.