“ Trembled Like Him”: Reassessment of 1 Sam 13,7b * The Hebrew phrase, wyrja wdrj μ[hAlbw (“ and all the people followed him trembling ”, NRSV), in 1 Sam 13,7b is problematic because of the awkward use of the preposition, rja (“ behind ”), with the verb, drj (“ to tremble ”). However, a careful analysis of the preposition may perhaps point to a more nuanced reading which may reveal the Davidic historian’s agenda to undermine Saul’s aptitude as a military leader. According to the historian, Saul begins to show signs of fear in the face of formidable challenge, the imposing Philistine army, which then infects his army. Therefore, he is unqualified to rule Israel unlike David, the king apparent. Before examining the phrase, its larger context needs to be discussed. The story of the Philistine war at the Michmash pass (13,2–14,46) forms the backdrop for the meeting between Saul and Samuel in Gilgal (13,7b-15a). On account of the intrusive nature of the meeting and its anti- Saulide attitude, most scholars have considered 13,7b-15a to be secondary, the work of the Davidic historian 1. While preparing for battle against the Philistines, the Israelites are mustered at Gilgal (v. 4). The author does not mention whether Saul himself went to Gilgal to gather the troops but he is found there in v. 7b 2. Here, in the midst of a battle, Saul waits for Samuel for seven days as the prophet had supposedly c o m m a n d e d him back in 1 S a m 10,8. As the storyline clearly demonstrates, more than seven days transpire between Saul’s anointment * This work was supported by a research grant from Seoul Women’s University (2010). See J. WELLHAUSEN, Prolegomena to the History of Israel (Edinburgh 1 1885) 256-262, and M. WHITE, “Saul and Jonathan in 1 Samuel 1 and 14”, Saul in Story and Tradition (ed. C.S. EHRLICH) (FAT 47; Tübingen 2006) 119- 138. Contrary to P. LONG, The Reign and Rejection of King Saul. A Case for Literary and Theological Coherence (SBLDS 118; Atlanta, GA 1989) 51-66, and D. VIKANDER EDELMAN, King Saul in the Historiography of Judah (JSOT 121; Sheffield 1991) 76-82. If we follow the Greek, then v. 7a continues in v. 15ba. According to the 2 Greek, v. 15ba reads, “the remnant of the army went up after Saul to meet the fighting force, going from Gilgal toward Gibeah of Benjamin”. See P. KYLE MCCARTER, I Samuel. A New Translation with Introduction, Notes & Commentary (AB 8; Garden City, NY 1980) 227, who thinks that the MT has a “long haplography”. Saul never goes to Gilgal; instead the army joins Saul at Gibeah, where he and his son are preparing to fight the Philistines.