Saul was 30 years old when he became king and he reigned over Israel for fourty two years. He chose three thousand men from his country. He kept two thousand in Michmash in Mount Bethel and one thousand in Gibeah of Benjamin with his son Jonathan. Saul struck the garrison of the Philistines in Geba and Israel was considered an abomination to the Philistines. Saul blew the trumpet and all the people were gathered together to follow Saul to Gilgal.