thirty thousand chariots
1 Samuel 13:5
13:5 thirty thousand chariots. The ancient Syriac translation, as well as some Septuagint and Arabic Bible manuscripts, read “three thousand chariots.” This latter figure seems more reasonable, in view of the terrain, the Philistine population, and the general comparative data regarding chariots and horsemen. However, it may be possible that the Philistines could have enlisted many allies. I Chronicles 19:7 notes that the Ammonites used thirty-two thousand chariots against David.