1 Samuel 14:1

_NOW IT CAME TO PASS UPON A DAY, THAT JONATHAN THE SON OF SAUL SAID UNTO THE YOUNG MAN THAT BARE HIS_ _ ARMOUR, COME, AND LET US GO OVER TO THE PHILISTINES' GARRISON, THAT IS ON THE OTHER SIDE. BUT HE TOLD NOT HIS FATHER._ The Philistines' garrison - margin, the standing camp in "the passage of Michmash" (1 Samuel 13:16; 1 Samuel 13:23), now Wady es-Suweinit. It begins in the neighbourhood of Betin (Beth-el) and el-Bireh (Beeroth), and as it breaks through the ridge below these places its sides form precipitous walls. On the right, about a quarter of an acre below, it again breaks off, and passes between high perpendicular precipices (Robinson's 'Biblical Researches,' 2:, p. 116; Stanley's 'Sinai and Palestine,' p. 201; Porter's 'Handbook of Syria and Palestine,' pp. 214, 215).

1-15 Saul seems to have been quite at a loss, and unable to help himself. Those can never think themselves safe who see themselves out of God's protection. Now he sent for a priest and the ark. He hopes to make up matters with the Almighty by a partial reformation, as many do whose hearts are unhumbled and unchanged. Many love to have ministers who prophesy smooth things to them. Jonathan felt a Divine impulse and impression, putting him upon this bold adventure. God will direct the steps of those that acknowledge him in all their ways, and seek to him for direction, with full purpose of heart to follow his guidance. Sometimes we find most comfort in that which is least our own doing, and into which we have been led by the unexpected but well-observed turns of Divine providence. There was trembling in the host. It is called a trembling of God, signifying, not only a great trembling they...

CHAPTER XIV _Jonathan and his armour-bearer purpose to attack a garrison of_ _the Philistines_, 1. _Saul and his army, with Ahiah the priest, tarry in Gibeah_, 2, 3. _Jonathan plans his attack of the Philistine garrison_, 4-10. _He and his armour-bearer climb over a rock: attack and rout the_ _garrison_, 11-15. _Saul and has company, seeing confusion on the Philistine host,_ _come out against them; as did the men who had hidden_ _themselves; and the Philistines are defeated_, 16-23. Saul lays every man under a curse who shall ea

NOW ... - Rather “and,” since this verse is in immediate dependence upon the preceding. When Jonathan saw the garrison come out again and again, in defiance “of the armies of the living God,” at length “upon a day” he determined to attack them....

EXPOSITION JONATHAN SMITES THE PHILISTINE GAR-BISON (1 Samuel 14:1). 1 SAMUEL 14:1 NOW IT CAME TO PASS UPON A DAY. Literally, "And there was a day, and Jonathan," etc.; or, as we should say, And it happened one day that Jonathan. The phrase means that Jonathan's brave feat took place not many days after the garrison had occupied the cliff, probably only two or three, but without definitely stating how many. HE TOLD NOT HIS FATHER. Not only because Saul would have forbidden so rash an enterprise, but because secrecy was essential to any chance of success: probably too the purpose came upon him as an inspiration from above....

NOW IT CAME TO PASS UPON A DAY,.... At a certain time, a little after the garrison of the Philistines had made the movement, 1 Samuel 13:23 and it is not to be taken strictly for the day time; for it is probable it was in the night that the following proposal was made, and began to be carried into execution; for Josephus k says it was day light when Jonathan and his armourbearer came to the camp of the Philistines; he had formed his scheme perhaps the night before, and he and his man set out in the night time, and by break of day came up to the garrison, as after related: THAT JONATHAN THE SON OF SAUL SAID UNTO THE YOUNG MAN THAT BARE HIS ARMOUR; as was usual in those times for generals of armies to have such, and so in later times; such were Automedon to Achilles, and Achates to Aeneas, as Grotius observes: come and let us go over to the Philistine gar

7. JONATHAN'S HEROIC DEED OF FAITH CHAPTER 14 _ 1. Jonathan's victory (1 Samuel 14:1)_ 2. Saul's adjuration and Jonathan's deed (1 Samuel 14:24) 3. Saul's first altar and unanswered inquiry (1 Samuel 14:33) 4. Jonathan condemned and saved (1 Samuel 14:38) 5. Saul's battle and success (1 Samuel 14:46) 6. Saul's family (1 Samuel 14:49) Jonathan, one of the most beautiful characters

1 SAMUEL 13:23 TO 1 SAMUEL 14:15. The ancient narrative, continuing 1 Samuel 13:18. Saul was at Geba (see on 1 Samuel 13:2), having with him the priest Ahijah, carrying the ephod here not a garment, but some article used in casting the sacred lot (see 1 Samuel 2:28 *, Judges 8:27). A valley lay between the two camps, dominated on either side by a steep crag, called respectively Bozez, Shining, and Seneh, Thorny. Unknown to Saul and the Israelites, Jonathan and his

A DAY: i.e.. certain day....

1 Samuel 14:1-15. Jonathan's deed of daring 1. _that bare his armour_ A confidential attendant like the _squire_of the middle ages. _But he told not his father_ For fear lest he should forbid so hazardous an attempt. From this point to the end of 1 Samuel 14:5 we have a series of clauses introduced parenthetically to describe the circumstances under which the attack was made. 1 Samuel 14:6 resumes the thread of the narrative by a repetition of Jonathan's words. The vivid detail marks the account of one familiar with the spot....