Saul chose three thousand men from Israel; two thousand were with him at Mikmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. The rest of the men he sent back to their homes. – 1 Samuel 13:2

Today's Scripture Reading (May 23, 2025): 1 Samuel 13

Sargon the Great (c. 2334 - c. 2279 BCE) is the first Emperor of recorded history. His Empire was the Akkadian Empire, although what that looked like is an open question. Sargon was the first to rule over an area rather than just a city. He was a conqueror and went out and actively defeated the city-states in the known world. The areas that Sargon ruled over today are parts of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Turkey, and Kuwait. 

The method Sargon used to take over this area was through another first. Sargon was the first King to possess a professional army. All armies up until this point had been made up of conscripted soldiers. These men were farmers and men of other occupations who were drafted into an army during times of crisis. But Sargon changed that idea. He developed a standing army of men who would be trained in the art of war. For these men, being a soldier became their job. One of the problems of a standing army in ancient times was that the only way to develop the necessary skills was to send the army into battle. Sargon developed his professional army and paid for it by sending his soldiers into war with the various city-states in the area. One inscription reveals this reality during the reign of Sargon the Great. 

Sargon, King of Agade, was victorious over Ur in battle, conquered the city and destroyed its wall. He conquered Eninmar, destroyed its walls, and conquered its district and Lagash as far as the sea. He washed his weapons in the sea. He was victorious over Umma in battle, [conquered the city, and destroyed its walls]. [To Sargon], lo[rd] of the land the god Enlil [gave no] ri[val]. The god Enlil gave to him [the Upper Sea and] the [Low]er (Sea).

Sargon lived about 1300 years before Saul. One of the things Saul did when he became the King of Israel was to follow Sargon's example and build his professional army. Until now, like the army before the reign of Sargon, Israel has depended on a conscripted army. These soldiers wore other hats in times of peace. But when a crisis arose, they answered the call of a leader and went to fight against the enemy who was threatening Israel.

Saul changed this idea. He took 3000 soldiers, kept 2000 with him at Mikmash, and sent 1000 to his son Jonathan in his hometown of Gibeah. This was the army that Saul intended to use to accomplish the aims of his reign and to defend the nation from the Philistines and whoever else was out there intent on causing Israel harm.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 14