1 SAMUEL CHAPTER 14 Jonathan and his armour-bearer secretly smite the Philistines army; they slay one another, 1 SAMUEL 14:1; which being perceived, 1 SAMUEL 14:16,17, Saul pursueth the Philistines, the captivated and hidden Israelites join in the pursuit, 1 SAMUEL 14:18. Saul adjureth the people no... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE UTTERMOST PART OF GIBEAH; in the outworks of the city, where he had intrenched himself to observe the motion of the Philistines. IN MIGRON, or _towards_ (as the Hebrew _beth_ is oft used) _Migron_, which was another place, but near Gibeah. See ISAIAH 10:28.... [ Continue Reading ]
AHIAH; the same who is called _Ahimelech_, 1 SAMUEL 22:9,11,20, the high priest, who was here to attend upon the ark, which was brought hither, 1 SAMUEL 14:18. AN EPHOD, to wit, the high priest's ephod, wherein the Urim and Thummim was.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PASSAGES; so these might be two known and common passages, both which Jonathan must cross, or pass over, to go to the Philistines, between which the following rocks lay. But the words may be rendered thus, In _the middle_ (for so the Hebrew particle _ben_ signifies, as ISAIAH 44:4; and _beth, in... [ Continue Reading ]
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THESE UNCIRCUMCISED; so he calls them, partly in contempt, and principally to strengthen his faith by this consideration, that his enemies were enemies to God, and without any hope in God, or help from him; whereas he was circumcised, and therefore in covenant with God, who was both able and engaged... [ Continue Reading ]
TURN THEE; march on to the enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
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Jonathan not being assured of the success of this present exploit, desires a sign; and by the instinct of God's Spirit, as the success shows, pitched upon this. Divers such heroical motions and extraordinary impulses there were among great and good men in ancient times; as GENESIS 24:13 JUDGES 6:37;... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore Jonathan chose that rocky and unusual way, that the Philistines might suppose they did not come from Saul's camp to fight with them, but rather out of the caves and holes of the rocks, from which their necessity had now driven them.... [ Continue Reading ]
WE WILL SHOW YOU A THING; we having something of importance to communicate to you. A speech of contempt and derision. THE LORD HATH DELIVERED THEM; he piously and modestly ascribes the success which he now foresees to God only.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Philistines could easily have hindered their ascent, but thought scorn to do it, not questioning but they could cut them off in a moment when they were come up to them according to their invitation. JONATHAN AND HIS ARMOURBEARER being endowed with extraordinary strength and courage, and having w... [ Continue Reading ]
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TREMBLING; a great consternation; partly from this unexpected and prodigious slaughter, which made them suspect there was more than man in the case, and that the Lord (of whose infinite power they had had former experience) was come forth to fight against them; and partly from the Lord, who took awa... [ Continue Reading ]
IN GIBEAH, or, _in the hill_, as the very same word is rendered, 1 SAMUEL 13:16, and that was the fittest place for watchmen. THE MULTITUDE, to wit, of that numerous host of the Philistines. MELTED AWAY, i.e. were strangely and suddenly dispersed, and put to flight. BEATING DOWN ONE ANOTHER; either,... [ Continue Reading ]
SAUL probably supposed that not only Jonathan, but also some considerable number of his army, was gone, and that by them that slaughter was made.... [ Continue Reading ]
That the priest may put on the ephod, and may inquire of the Lord before the ark what the occasion of this tumult among our enemies is, and what we shall do. WITH THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, to wit, in the camp, whither sometimes it was brought; as 1 SAMUEL 4:5; and now the rather, partly because it was... [ Continue Reading ]
Trouble not thyself in putting on the breastplate, with the ephod, to inquire of God; for I now plainly discern the matter; the business calls not for prayer, but for action. But if it did so, there was the more need of God's direction and blessing, that they might act with more success. Herein ther... [ Continue Reading ]
The Philistines slew one another; which might come, either from mistake, of which see on 1 SAMUEL 14:16; or from mutual jealousies and passions, to which God could easily dispose them.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH WENT UP WITH THEM INTO THE CAMP; either by constraint, as servants; or in policy, to gain their favour and protection.... [ Continue Reading ]
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THE BATTLE, i.e. the warriors who were engaged in the battle, and were pursuing and fighting with the Philistines.... [ Continue Reading ]
WERE DISTRESSED, with hunger, and weakness, and faintness, thence arising; and all by reason of the following oath. As Saul's intention was good, namely, to execute vengeance upon God's and his enemies; so the matter of the obligation was not simply and in itself unlawful, if it had not been so rigo... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THEY OF THE LAND, Heb. _all the land_, i.e. the people of the land; as it is explained below, 1 SAMUEL 14:29; and so the word is taken GENESIS 41:57. All the Israelites who were with Saul.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HONEY DROPPED. It hath been observed by many travellers and writers, that bees do ofttimes settle themselves, and make their hives and honey, in the trunks of trees, or clefts of rocks, or holes of the earth; and this in divers countries, but eminently in this of Canaan; as may be gathered from... [ Continue Reading ]
JONATHAN HEARD NOT, being then absent, and in pursuit of the Philistines, divers of the Israelites having joined themselves with him, 1 SAMUEL 14:21. HIS EYES WERE ENLIGHTENED; he was refreshed, and recovered his lost spirits, whereof part went into his optic nerves, and so cleared his sight, which... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE OF THE PEOPLE, who came along with Saul, whose forces were now united with Jonathan s.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LAND, i.e. the people of the land, the whole army, whom by this rash oath he hath greatly injured. The zeal of defending himself makes him run into the other extreme of accusing his father, and that before the people, whom by this means he might have stirred up to a sedition.... [ Continue Reading ]
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AIJALON; either that in Dan, JOSHUA 19:42; or rather, that in Judah, 2 CHRONICLES 11:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEOPLE FLEW UPON THE SPOIL, to wit, at evening, when the time prefixed by Saul was expired. WITH THE BLOOD; not having patience to tarry till the blood was perfectly gone out of them, as they should have done. See GENESIS 9:4 LEVITICUS 17:14 DEUTERONOMY 12:16. So they who seemed to make conscien... [ Continue Reading ]
He sees their fault, but not his own, in giving the occasion to it. ROLL A GREAT STONE UNTO ME; that the cattle might be all killed in one place, under the inspection of Saul, or some other appointed by him for that work; and upon the stone, that the blood may sooner and better flow out.... [ Continue Reading ]
And his sheep, which is to be understood out of the foregoing words.... [ Continue Reading ]
Either for a monument of the victory; or rather, for sacrifice, as the next words imply. THE SAME WAS THE FIRST ALTAR, though he had occasion to do so oft ere this time. So this is quoted as another evidence of his neglect of God and his worship. It is true, Saul sacrificed before this, as at Gilgal... [ Continue Reading ]
Remembering Saul's contempt of God's ordinance the last time, and the in consequence of it; and perceiving Saul ready to run into the same error again, even though he had not now the same pretence of the necessity of haste as before, and that the people were forward to comply with the motion; he giv... [ Continue Reading ]
Either, 1. Because he was displeased with Saul for his former neglect, 1 SAMUEL 14:18,19, where he began to ask advice of God, but was so rude and impious as not to tarry for an answer; and therefore it was but a just retaliation, if when Saul did ask, God would not vouchsafe him an answer. Or, 2.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE CHIEF OF THE PEOPLE; in the name of all the people, that you may be witnesses, and may see where the fault lies.... [ Continue Reading ]
None of those who either saw Jonathan eating, or heard of it, informed against him; partly because they were satisfied that his ignorance excused him, and that there was some other reason of God's not answering; and partly from their great love to Jonathan, whom they would not expose to death for so... [ Continue Reading ]
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GIVE A PERFECT LOT, or declare (for giving is oft put for _declaring or pronouncing_, as DEUTERONOMY 11:29, DEUTERONOMY 13:1,2 PR 9:9) _the perfect or guiltless person_; i.e. O Lord, so guide the lot, that it may discover who is guilty in this matter, and that it may clear the innocent. THE PEOPLE E... [ Continue Reading ]
God so ordered the lot; not that he approved Saul's execration, 1 SAMUEL 14:24, or his oath that the transgressor should die, 1 SAMUEL 14:39, nor that he would expose Jonathan to death; (for he designed so to rule the hearts of the people, and of Saul also, that Jonathan should not die;) but because... [ Continue Reading ]
I am sentenced to death for it; which is hard measure. He had another answer, that he knew not of his father's command; but that being said before, 1 SAMUEL 14:27, it was needless here to repeat it.... [ Continue Reading ]
From this and other like expressions of Saul s, some gather that he was exceeding prone to the vice of swearing and cursing. THOU SHALT SURELY DIE: strange perverseness! He who was so indulgent as to spare wicked Agag, 1SA 15, is now so severe as to destroy his own worthy son: he that could easily d... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH GOD, i.e. in concurrence with God, or by God's help he had wrought this salvation. God is so far from being offended with Jonathan, as thou apprehendest, that he hath graciously owned and assisted him in the great service of this day.... [ Continue Reading ]
SAUL WENT UP FROM FOLLOWING THE PHILISTINES; partly because he was discouraged by God's refusing to answer him; and partly because his delays had given them occasion to secure themselves.... [ Continue Reading ]
TOOK THE KINGDOM, i.e. recovered it, and resumed the administration of it, after he had in a manner lost it, partly by Samuel's sentence, 1 SAMUEL 13:14, and partly by the Philistines, who had almost turned him out of it. But now, being encouraged by this success, he returns to the exercise of his k... [ Continue Reading ]
SMOTE THE AMALEKITES; which is here mentioned only in the general, but is particularly described in the next chapter.... [ Continue Reading ]
ISHUI, called also _Abinadab_, 1 SAMUEL 31:2 1 CHRONICLES 8:33. Ishbosheth, Saul's other son, is here omitted, because he intended to mention only those of his sons who went with him into the battles here mentioned, and who were afterwards slain with him.... [ Continue Reading ]
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Into his service, or army.... [ Continue Reading ]