⁵ The Philistines assembled^(A) to fight Israel, with three thousand^[a] chariots, six thousand charioteers, and soldiers as numerous as the sand^(B) on the seashore. They went up and camped at Mikmash,^(C) east of Beth Aven.^{(D) 6} When the Israelites saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed, they hid^(E) in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns.^{(F) 7} Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad^(G) and Gilead.

Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking^(H) with fear.