440 SAMANTHA JOO SUMMARY Commentaries and translations have traditionally translated the preposition, rja, in 1 Sam 13,7b (wyrja wdrj μ[h) as either modifying the subject or indicating the “ back ” of Saul. However, the preposition is better explained as “following and imitating ” so that the army trembled like Saul. Since Saul was afraid of the Philistines, his fear infects the army, which scatters from him. Therefore, Saul, according to the Davidic court historian, is an ineffective military leader.