437 “ TREMBLED LIKE HIM ” : REASSESSMENT 1 SAM 13,7B OF one who is afraid. This is the reason why Saul must then “restrain himself ” (qpataw) from running away (13,12). Though most commentaries and translations translate the hithpalel of qpa as “to force oneself”, this meaning of the verb never occurs anywhere else 17. And there is no reason to provide a different meaning here. Why would Saul force himself to make an offering? It makes no sense. Hence, a better reading is that Saul barely keeps himself in Gilgal, just long enough to make an offering. Then why would the court historian choose an awkward expression, if in fact, the phrase is not a scribal mistake but an intentional use of the preposition rja ? Wouldn’t it have been easier to write that the people trembled “with” (b, μ[) or “like” (k, wmk) him? Here, I would like to propose that the historian wanted to juxtapose Saul with Jonathan whose armor-bearer follows him into the heart of the Philistine garrison. Unlike Saul, who could not muster his army to follow him, Jonathan was able to p e n e t r a t e the Philistine army with just his armor-bearer. Without 13,7b-15a, the Saulide family appears formidable against a powerful opposition. Despite the odds, Saul and Jonathan defeat the Philistines with only 600 men. Granted Jonathan’s brash act of faith led to the victory; nevertheless, the success of the son cannot be distinguished from a victory for Saul (14,47). The son represented the father and his family honor (see 1 Sam 13,4) 18. With the addition, however, Saul is contrasted to his son. Since Saul appears weak, afraid and thus hesitant to engage in war, Jonathan comes across as the victor. Whereas Saul fears an encounter with the Philistines (13,12), Jonathan does not show any sign of fear. He declares: Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will act for us; for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few. (14,6) On account of his trust in God, Jonathan is able to muster his armor- bearer to penetrate the Philistine stronghold. Here, the story plays with the preposition rja 19. Jonathan commands his armor-bearer to come “after” Despite this, BDB, 67, and HALOT 1, 80, still provide the definition, 17 “ to force, compel oneself” for only this passage. See also POLZIN, Samuel and the Deuteronomist, 129. I agree with LONG, The Reign and Rejection of King Saul, 89, who translates the verb, “I restrained myself (i.e. pulled myself together when the temptation was to flee)”. According to WHITE, “Saul and Jonathan”, 127, “Jonathan’s YHWH- 18 inspired bravery establishes him as heir to the throne, further strengthening Saul’s kingship”. Not only does the court historian play with the preposition, rja, he/she 19 also uses a similar expression, wbblk (“ according to his heart”, 13,14), found in