After the assembly at Gilgal, Saul disbanded the army that had at his call arisen to overthrow the Ammonites, reserving only two thousand men to be stationed under his command at Michmash and one thousand to attend his son Jonathan at Gibeah. Here was a serious error. His army was filled with hope and courage by the recent victory; and had he proceeded at once against other enemies of Israel, a telling blow might have been struck for the liberties of the nation.

Dette kapitel er bygget op over 1 Sam 13; 14
Da hele folket havde været samlet i Gilgal, opløste Saul den hær, der var mødt frem på hans opfordring for at kæmpe imod ammonitterne. Han beholdt kun 2000 mand i Mikmas og lod 1000 mand blive hos Jonatan i Gibea. Heri begik Saul en stor fejl. Hæren var fyldt med håb og mod efter sejren, og hvis Saul var draget imod Israels øvrige fjender med det samme kunne han have slået et afgørende slag for nationens frihed.