Again war was declared between Israel and the Philistines. "The Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem," on the northern edge of the plain of Jezreel; while Saul and his forces encamped but a few miles distant, at the foot of Mount Gilboa, on the southern border of the plain. It was on this plain that Gideon, with three hundred men, had put to flight the hosts of Midian. But the spirit that inspired Israel's deliverer was widely different from that which now stirred the heart of the king. Gideon went forth strong in faith in the mighty God of Jacob; but Saul felt himself to be alone and defenseless, because God had forsaken him. As he looked abroad upon the Philistine host, "he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled."

Dette kapitel er bygget op over 1 Sam 28; 31
Der udbrød atter krig mellem Israel og filisterene. "Imidlertid samlede filisterene sig og kom og slog lejr i Sjunem" i den nordlige udkant af Jizreelsletten, mens Saul og hans styrker slog lejr nogle få kilometer borte, ved foden af Gilboas bjerg, i slettens sydlige ende. Det var på denne slette, Gideon havde slået midjanitternes hære på flugt med 300 mand. Men Israels befrier på det tidspunkt var besjælet af en helt anden ånd end landets nuværende konge. Gideon drog ud i tro på Jakobs vældige Gud, men Saul følte sig ensom og forsvarsløs, fordi Gud havde forladt ham. Da han så filisternes hær, "grebes han af frygt og blev såre forfærdet".