If someone in your church finds a study Bible footnote that describes the textual problem in 1 Samuel 13:1 and wants to know what the original text said, how would you answer them?
The textual challenge of 1 Samuel 13:1 is particularly daunting due to the limited textual data. The BHS renders the verse as follows: בֶּן־שָׁנָ֖ה שָׁא֣וּל בְּמָלְכ֑וֹ וּשְׁתֵּ֣י שָׁנִ֔ים מָלַ֖ךְ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל. A literal translation of the Masoretic Text states, “Saul was a son of a year in his reigning and two years he reigned over Israel.” The BHS textual apparatus notes a number of Septuagint manuscripts omit the verse, a few Septuagint manuscripts replace “a year” with “30 years,” and the Peshitta replaces “a year” with “21 years” and omits “and two years.” Accordingly, the English translations vary widely in their interpretations.
The First Book of Samuel (New International Commentary on the Old Testament)
Regarding 1 Samuel 13:1, Emanuel Tov suggests that, although an earlier text likely included the accurate numbers, it is correct to assume, “the received text contains a textual error,” not based on comparing manuscripts, but based on “content analysis.”[1] Two specific errors appear to occur within the text based on the content of 1 Samuel. First, 1 Samuel 13:2 appears to be toward the beginning of Saul’s rule, and his son was already old enough to lead troops. Thus, the likelihood of Saul being a year old when beginning his reign is remote. Second, David Tsumura asserts that, based on the content of 1 Samuel 9-31, it is “almost certain that the actual length of Saul’s reign was more than two years.”[2] Furthermore, Acts 13:21 implies that Saul ruled for approximately forty years. Tsumura notes that many scholarly explanations exist that attempt to solve the mystery by supplying the original numbers or justify the Masoretic text by assuming a poetic or ironic connotation.[3] However, based on the current manuscript evidence, the explications appear forced and definitive answers appear elusive.
Providing an answer to someone in church who wants to know what the original text said may be difficult. An important first step would be to affirm the inspiration of the original autographs with God as the source of inerrant Scripture. Next, an explanation of the extreme care that scribes took to maintain the integrity of the Bible would be appropriate, especially in light of the recent archeological finds of Qumran. Third, it is necessary to inform the member that just because God inspired the original autographs, does not mean that the transmission of the text by humans through thousands of years is without error. Finally, it may be helpful to reassure the member by explaining that the vast majority of the text exists without transmission error and that no significant doctrinal changes occur due to the error in 1 Samuel 13:1.
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[1] Emanuel Tov, Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible, 2nd ed. (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2001), 10–11.
[2] David Tsumura, The First Book of Samuel, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2007), 331.
[3] Ibid., 331–33.
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