5 The Philistines also were gathered to fight against Israel. They brought thirty thousand chariots with them, six thousand cavalry, and as many soldiers as there is sand on the seashore to fight Israel. They marched up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.
6 When the Israelites saw that they were in trouble and that their troops were threatened, they hid in caves, in thickets, among rocks, in tunnels, and in cisterns.
7 Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan River, going into the land of Gad and Gilead.Saul stayed at Gilgal, and the troops followed him anxiously.
8 He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel, but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and his troops began to desert.
9 So Saul ordered, "Bring me the entirely burned offering and the well-being sacrifices." Then he offered the entirely burned offering.
10 The very moment Saul finished offering up the entirely burned offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet him and welcome him.
11 But Samuel said, "What have you done?""I saw that my troops were deserting," Saul replied. "You hadn’t arrived by the appointed time, and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash.