Favor · the best way to learn the Bible
1 Samuel 13 Bible study: A man after his own heart
Jonathan struck the garrison at Geba, but Israel heard that Saul had struck it (13:3-4). And "a man after his own heart" is first said to Saul, in the words that tell him his kingdom will not continue, because he had not kept what the LORD commanded (13:13-14). Only later is the man named David (16:13; Acts 13:22).
Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the words behind the words, what most readers miss, and how it all leads to Jesus.
First week free, then $10 a month per person
“But now your kingdom will not continue. The LORD has sought for himself a man after his own heart, and the LORD has appointed him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept that which the LORD commanded you.”
Try it · Did you catch it?
“In 13:3 Jonathan strikes the Philistine garrison; in 13:4 all Israel hears that Saul had struck it.”
Is that in 1 Samuel 13, or not? Make your call.
What's really going on
Jonathan struck, and Israel heard it was Saul
"Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel, of which two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the Mount of Bethel, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin" (13:2). It is the first time 1 Samuel names Jonathan. Later in the chapter he is "Jonathan his son" (13:16). Then: "Jonathan struck the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!”" (13:3) (tap garrison). The next verse tells what Israel heard: "All Israel heard that Saul had struck the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel was considered an abomination to the Philistines" (13:4) (tap abomination). The chapter doesn't say why the news named Saul. "The people were gathered together after Saul to Gilgal" (13:4).
Where it leads to Jesus
Who will do all my will
1 Samuel 13:14leads toJohn 6:38
Samuel told Saul, "The LORD has sought for himself a man after his own heart" (13:14), "because you have not kept that which the LORD commanded you" (13:14). In Acts, Paul says God testified of David, "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will" (Acts 13:22). Those words name David, not Jesus. Jesus said, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me" (John 6:38). No New Testament passage sets John 6:38 beside 1 Samuel 13:14, so putting them together is a reading. Some hear in all three what the LORD looks for: one who does his will, where Saul had not kept what the LORD commanded (13:13-14). Others read each in its own setting: Acts 13:22 is God's word about David, the king raised up after Saul, and John 6:38 is Jesus' word about why he came down from heaven.
Honest questions
Questions people ask about 1 Samuel 13
That was a taste
The rest of 1 Samuel 13 is waiting in Favor
- As the sand on the seashore
- Seven days, and a burnt offering
- A man after his own heart
- Established forever
- No blacksmith in Israel
- 7 questions as you read
- 13 more Hebrew words
- A short check at the end
- Your notes, saved as you go
Favor reads the Bible in order, so you'll reach 1 Samuel 13 with everything before it in view. First week free, then $10 a month per person.
The Hebrew word behind it
לֵבָבlevavsay le-VAV
Brown-Driver-Briggs: "inner man, mind, will, heart". Strong's: "the heart (as the most interior organ)". "The LORD has sought for himself a man after his own heart" (13:14). In Hebrew after his own heart is one word, kilvavo, built on levav. Samuel had told Israel, "serve him in truth with all your heart" (12:24), and when the LORD sends Samuel to Jesse's sons he says, "the LORD looks at the heart" (16:7); both are levav. Saul's "another heart" (10:9) uses the shorter spelling, lev.
For your group
1 Samuel 13 Bible study questions
- 1Saul waited seven days, then acted on what he saw: the people scattering, Samuel not come, the Philistines gathering (13:8-12). When have you found waiting on God hardest, and what did you do?
- 2Saul had a reason for what he did (13:11-12), and Samuel said, "You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God" (13:13). Where are you tempted to explain your way around what God has said?
- 3The LORD "has sought for himself a man after his own heart" (13:14), and later tells Samuel, "the LORD looks at the heart" (16:7). What do you think he looks for in a heart, and what would you want him to find in yours?
Leading a group? In Favor, everyone reads 1 Samuel 13 during the week and answers these questions privately. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together, and you can print the week's sheet.
Start a Bible studyThe best way to learn the Bible
Favor opens up every chapter as you read.
Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.
Every chapter explains itself
As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.
The Hebrew and Greek behind it
Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.
Every page leads to Jesus
Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.
Better together
Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.
- 1
Start your free week
Sign up in a minute with your email.
- 2
Read a few minutes a day
Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.
- 3
Bring your people, if you like
Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.
First week free, then $10 a month per person
Questions
What is Favor?
Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the Hebrew and Greek behind the words, the details most readers miss, and how each part of the Bible leads to Jesus. Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church.
How much does it cost?
Your first week is free. After that it's $10 a month per person, the same for everyone, including groups and churches. There are no tiers and nothing extra to unlock.
Can I read 1 Samuel 13 straight away?
Favor takes the Bible as one story, in order, so you'll reach 1 Samuel 13 with everything that leads up to it in view. Start from Genesis, or meet Jesus first in the Gospels. You can read the text of any chapter in Favor's Look up whenever you like.
Do I need a group?
No. Many people read on their own. If you'd like to read with others, start a Bible study and share one link. Everyone's answers stay private until you meet.
I've never really read the Bible. Is this for me?
Yes. Favor starts where you are and explains as it goes. The questions along the way aren't marked right or wrong: you answer, then see what the text shows.
Which Bible does Favor use?
The World English Bible, a modern, readable translation in the public domain. God's name appears as "the LORD", as in most English Bibles.
Is Favor tied to a church?
No. Favor is non-denominational. Where Christians read a passage differently, it shows the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.
Start with 1 Samuel 13
The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.
There's a seat for you at the table.
Start your free weekFirst week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Hebrew and Greek words are checked against the original-language texts and public-domain lexicons. What we believe · Favor home