The troops with Saul appeared to have had little confidence in his leadership and the Lord’s protection. This could have been due to the long delay from Saul in dealing with the Philistines as well as the disparity in the size of their armies. In terms of a king like the nations, Saul did not provide the security and comfort for which the people had hoped (see 1 Samuel 8:1–22).1
7 and some Hebrews crossed the fords of the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was still at Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.