1 Samuel 15:4
New International Version
So Saul summoned the men and mustered them at Telaim—two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand from Judah.

New Living Translation
So Saul mobilized his army at Telaim. There were 200,000 soldiers from Israel and 10,000 men from Judah.

English Standard Version
So Saul summoned the people and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand men on foot, and ten thousand men of Judah.

Berean Standard Bible
So Saul summoned the troops and numbered them at Telaim—200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah.

King James Bible
And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.

New King James Version
So Saul gathered the people together and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men of Judah.

New American Standard Bible
Then Saul summoned the people and counted them in Telaim: two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men of Judah.

NASB 1995
Then Saul summoned the people and numbered them in Telaim, 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah.

NASB 1977
Then Saul summoned the people and numbered them in Telaim, 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Saul summoned the people and numbered them in Telaim, 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah.

Amplified Bible
So Saul summoned the people and numbered them at Telaim—200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Saul summoned the troops and counted them at Telaim: two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men from Judah.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Saul summoned the troops and counted them at Telaim: 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men from Judah.

American Standard Version
And Saul summoned the people, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.

Contemporary English Version
Saul sent messengers who told every town and village to send men to join the army at Telaim. There were 210,000 troops in all, and 10,000 of these were from Judah. Saul organized them,

English Revised Version
And Saul summoned the people, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Saul organized the troops, and he counted them at Telaim: 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men from Judah.

Good News Translation
Saul called his forces together and inspected them at Telem: there were 200,000 soldiers from Israel and 10,000 from Judah.

International Standard Version
Saul summoned the people and mustered them in Telaim, 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men from Judah.

Majority Standard Bible
So Saul summoned the troops and numbered them at Telaim—200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah.

NET Bible
So Saul assembled the army and mustered them at Telaim. There were 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah.

New Heart English Bible
Saul summoned the people, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Saul assembled the people, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.

World English Bible
Saul summoned the people, and counted them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen and ten thousand men of Judah.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Saul summons the people, and inspects them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand [are] men of Judah.

Young's Literal Translation
And Saul summoneth the people, and inspecteth them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand are men of Judah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul will cause the people to hear, and he will review them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen and ten thousand men of Judah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So Saul commanded the people, and numbered them as lambs: two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand of the men of Juda.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, Saul instructed the people, and he numbered them like lambs: two hundred thousand foot soldiers, and ten thousand men of Judah.

New American Bible
Saul alerted the army, and at Telaim reviewed two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men of Judah.

New Revised Standard Version
So Saul summoned the people, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand foot soldiers, and ten thousand soldiers of Judah.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Saul summoned the people to war, and he numbered them in Telaye, two hundred thousand footmen and ten thousand men of Judah.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shaul issued a decree for all the people to battle and numbered them: “Among young men two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand with the men of Yehuda
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Saul summoned the people, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Saul summoned the people, and he numbered them in Galgala, four hundred thousand regular troops, and Juda thirty thousand regular troops.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul's Disobedience
3Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’ ” 4So Saul summoned the troops and numbered them at Telaim— 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah. 5Saul came to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley.…

Cross References
Judges 20:1-2
Then all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came out, and the congregation assembled as one man before the LORD at Mizpah. / The leaders of all the people and all the tribes of Israel presented themselves in the assembly of God’s people: 400,000 men on foot, armed with swords.

Numbers 1:3
You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years of age or older by their divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army.

Numbers 31:4-6
Send into battle a thousand men from each tribe of Israel.” / So a thousand men were recruited from each tribe of Israel—twelve thousand armed for war. / And Moses sent the thousand from each tribe into battle, along with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, who took with him the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for signaling.

Deuteronomy 20:1-4
When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. / When you are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army, / saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. ...

Joshua 4:12-13
The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over before the Israelites, armed for battle as Moses had instructed them. / About 40,000 troops armed for battle crossed over before the LORD into the plains of Jericho.

1 Samuel 13:2
He chose for himself three thousand men of Israel: Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. And the rest of the troops he sent away, each to his own home.

1 Samuel 11:8
And when Saul numbered them at Bezek, there were 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men of Judah.

2 Samuel 24:9
And Joab reported to the king the total number of the troops. In Israel there were 800,000 men of valor who drew the sword, and in Judah there were 500,000.

1 Chronicles 21:5
And Joab reported to David the total number of the troops. In all Israel there were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword, including 470,000 in Judah.

2 Chronicles 17:12-19
Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah / and kept vast supplies in the cities of Judah. He also had warriors in Jerusalem who were mighty men of valor. / These are their numbers according to the houses of their fathers: From Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 mighty men of valor; ...

Matthew 24:31
And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Mark 13:27
And He will send out the angels to gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

Luke 17:34-36
I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed: one will be taken and the other left. / Two women will be grinding grain together: one will be taken and the other left.” / Two men will be in the field: One and will be taken and the other left.

Acts 1:13-14
When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. / With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Acts 2:1
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.


Treasury of Scripture

And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.

Telaim

Joshua 15:24
Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,

Telem

1 Samuel 11:8
And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

1 Samuel 13:15
And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.

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Assembled Hundred Inspecteth Judah Mustered Numbered Saul Soldiers Summoned Summoneth Ten Thousand Together
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Assembled Hundred Inspecteth Judah Mustered Numbered Saul Soldiers Summoned Summoneth Ten Thousand Together
1 Samuel 15
1. Samuel sends Saul to destroy Amalek
6. Saul favors the Kenites
7. He spares Agag and the best of the spoil
10. Samuel denounces unto Saul God's rejection of him for his disobedience
24. Saul's humiliation
32. Samuel kills Agag
34. Samuel and Saul part














So Saul summoned the troops
The phrase "So Saul summoned the troops" indicates a decisive action taken by King Saul in response to God's command through the prophet Samuel. The Hebrew root for "summoned" is קָרָא (qara), which means to call or proclaim. This action reflects Saul's role as a leader and his responsibility to mobilize Israel's military forces. Historically, this summoning would involve sending messengers throughout the tribes to gather the men for battle, demonstrating the unity and readiness of Israel to follow their king into conflict.

and numbered them at Telaim
The act of numbering the troops, or taking a census, is significant in the biblical context. The Hebrew word for "numbered" is פָּקַד (paqad), which can mean to count, muster, or appoint. This was not merely a logistical task but a preparation for war, ensuring that the army was organized and ready for the campaign against the Amalekites. Telaim, the location mentioned, is believed to be in the southern part of Judah, though its exact location is uncertain. This gathering place would have been strategically chosen for its proximity to the Amalekite territory.

200,000 foot soldiers
The mention of "200,000 foot soldiers" highlights the significant size of the Israelite army. In ancient times, foot soldiers were the backbone of any military force, and this large number indicates the seriousness of the campaign. The Hebrew term for "foot soldiers" is רַגְלִי (ragli), emphasizing the infantry's role in battle. This vast army reflects the collective strength of the tribes of Israel when united under a common cause, as well as the importance of the mission to fulfill God's command.

and 10,000 men of Judah
The specific mention of "10,000 men of Judah" underscores the prominence of the tribe of Judah within the nation of Israel. Judah, being one of the largest and most influential tribes, often played a leading role in military and political matters. The Hebrew word for "men" here is אִישׁ (ish), which can also mean warriors or soldiers. This distinction of Judah's contribution may also foreshadow the tribe's future significance, as it is from Judah that the line of David, and ultimately Jesus Christ, would come. The separate mention of Judah's forces highlights their importance and the unity required among the tribes to achieve victory.

(4) In Telaim.--Identical with Telem (Joshua 15:24), a place on the south border of Judah, near the region where the Amalekites chiefly dwelt.--Kimchi Telaim, however, signifies "lambs;" probably "Beth," house of, is to be understood. Thus it was no town, but the "place or house of lambs"--some open spot, where, at the proper season, the lambs were collected from the pastures in the wilderness.--Dean Payne Smith.

Ten thousand men of Judah.--Again the numbers of this great tribe are out of proportion to the numbers furnished by the rest of the tribes. (See Note on 1Samuel 11:8.)

Verse 4. - Telaim. Kimchi identifies this with Telem (Joshua 15:24), a place on the southern border of Judah near the country of the Amalekites. But as telaim means "lambs," more probably beth, "house," is to be understood; and so it was no town, but the "place of lambs," i.e. some open spot where at the proper season the lambs were collected from the pastures in the wilderness. Ten thousand men of Judah. A very small number compared with the hosts of Israel, especially as Judah was most exposed to the Amalekite, raids (but see on 1 Samuel 11:8. A large army was necessary, because the Bedouin race, though offering little direct resistance, would be very difficult to overtake

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Saul
שָׁאוּל֙ (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

summoned
וַיְשַׁמַּ֤ע (way·šam·ma‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the troops
הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and numbered them
וַֽיִּפְקְדֵם֙ (way·yip̄·qə·ḏêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

at Telaim—
בַּטְּלָאִ֔ים (baṭ·ṭə·lā·’îm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2923: Telaim -- a place where Saul mustered his forces

200,000
מָאתַ֥יִם (mā·ṯa·yim)
Number - fd
Strong's 3967: A hundred

foot soldiers
רַגְלִ֑י (raḡ·lî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7273: A footman

and 10,000
וַעֲשֶׂ֥רֶת (wa·‘ă·śe·reṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6235: Ten

men
אִ֥ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of Judah.
יְהוּדָֽה׃ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites


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OT History: 1 Samuel 15:4 Saul summoned the people and numbered them (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 15:3
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