1 Samuel 14:15

_AND THERE WAS TREMBLING IN THE HOST, IN THE FIELD, AND AMONG ALL THE PEOPLE: THE GARRISON, AND THE SPOILERS, THEY ALSO TREMBLED, AND THE EARTH QUAKED: SO IT WAS A VERY GREAT TREMBLING._ And there was trembling in the host in the field and among all the people: the garrison and the And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled. [The Septuagint has kai egeneethee ekstasis en tee parembolee kai en agroo, kai pas ho laos ho en Messab, kai di' diaftheirontes exesteesan, kai autoi ouk eethelon poiein, And there was a trembling in the camp, and in the field, and on all the people in Messab, and the spoilers stood still, and would not do (anything).]...

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...

Verse 1 Samuel 14:15. _THERE WAS TREMBLING IN THE HOST_] They were terrified and panic-struck; the people in general round about, those in the garrison, the spoilers, and the whole country, were struck with terror; the commotion was universal and most extraordinary. The trembling of the earth is probably not to be taken literally, but as a metaphor for a great commotion in the country, though God might have interposed in an extraordinary manner, and produced a real earthquake; but their being panic-struck was sufficient to produce all the requisite confusion and dismay....

THE EARTH QUAKED - This naturally increased the panic to the utmost. Compare 1 Samuel 7:10; Joshua 10:11; Psalms 114:4....

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....

AND THERE WAS TREMBLING IN THE HOST IN THE FIELD,.... Belonging to Michmash, where the army lay encamped: AND AMONG ALL THE PEOPLE; the inhabitants of Michmash, or that attended the army, and furnished them with provisions, trafficking with them; the common people, as distinguished from the soldiers: THE GARRISON; those that were in it, who did not sally out, but perceiving a great slaughter made of their outer scouts, were seized with a panic: AND THE SPOILERS THEY ALSO TREMBLED; who had been about the country, ravaging and plundering it, and were returned with their booty; see 1 Samuel 13:17 AND THE EARTH QUAKED; the inhabitants of it thereabout, or the earth itself literally; a real earthquake was caused at the same time, which increased the terror: so that it was a very great t

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

HOST. camp. TREMBLED. were panic-stricken. Compare 2 Samuel 5:24; 2 Kings 7:6; 2 Kings 19:7. A VERY GREAT TREMBLING. a preternatural trembling. Hebrew. trembling from _Elohim_. App-4....

_in the host, in the field_ IN THE CAMP IN THE FIELD, the main army as distinguished from the outpost which Jonathan had attacked. _the earth quaked_ Perhaps this only describes the tumult and confusion of the Philistine host (cp. 1 Samuel 4:5), but possibly an earthquake augmented the general panic, as at the Exodus (Psalms 77:18). Cp. the storm at Ebenezer (ch. 1 Samuel 7:10). _so it was a very great trembling_ Lit. "And it became a trembling of God," i.e. a supernatural panic inspired by God. Cp. 2 Kings 7:6....