שמואל א, פרק י״ג, פסוק ג׳

A bold act of assassination ignites an open rebellion against a foreign power, triggering a nationwide alarm. Jonathan takes decisive action by killing a Philistine regional official. This official was a minister or military commander appointed by the Philistines to govern the Israelites and collect taxes. The killing is not a random clash but a calculated move designed to provoke a conflict and officially declare a revolt against Philistine rule [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. According to one perspective, Jonathan takes this initiative entirely on his own, without informing his father, Saul [מלבי״ם].

The event unfolds in Geba. There is some debate regarding the exact geography of this location; while some identify it as Gibeah of Benjamin [רש״י, רלב״ג], others maintain that Geba and Gibeah are two completely distinct places [רד״ק]. Regardless of the exact location, word of the assassination quickly reaches the Philistines. They immediately recognize the act as a formal declaration of war requiring swift retaliation [רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

In response to the escalating threat, Saul initiates a nationwide alarm by sounding the shofar. He does not travel the country blowing the horn himself; rather, he remains in Gilgal and commands messengers to sound the shofars throughout the land [רד״ק, אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The blast of the horn serves a dual purpose. First, it acts as an early warning system, notifying the Israelites that a rebellion has begun so they can protect themselves from Philistine revenge and quickly bring their livestock indoors [רש״י, מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. Second, it functions as a general call to arms. The people, who had previously dispersed to their homes, are now summoned to urgently gather around the king, form a strategy, and prepare for the impending war [רלב״ג, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].