After the victory over the Ammonites east of the Jordan, Saul turns his attention to the Philistines, Israel’s perennial enemy along the Mediterranean coast. Undoubtedly the Philistines were worried about Israel’s upstart king and likely wanted to attack him before he became too established and powerful. Since the initial conquest under Joshua, the cities that were most solidly under Israel’s control were located in the hill country, an area about two thousand feet above sea level that ran from north to south through much of central Palestine. Saul’s capital of Gibeah was located there, but this did not stop the Philistines. As chapter 13 begins, the Philistines have pushed to within five miles of the capital (13:1–7). Jonathan, Saul’s oldest son, attacks the Philistine outpost at Geba,…