1 Samuel 14:2

_AND SAUL TARRIED IN THE UTTERMOST PART OF GIBEAH UNDER A POMEGRANATE TREE WHICH IS IN MIGRON: AND THE PEOPLE THAT WERE WITH HIM WERE ABOUT SIX HUNDRED MEN;_ Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah. His head quarters were removed from Geba to Migron, 'in the extremity or skirts of Gibeah,'-thus at once retreating from the Philistines and drawing near to the high priest, as well as Samuel (1 Samuel 13:15), who was in Gibeah. The exact site of Migron has not been ascertained; but it lay along the road which ran through this passage (Isaiah 10:28), and probably, as Porter suggests, somewhere on the bank of Wady Kirah. There was, therefore, only the breadth of the ravine between the two camps. Saul had encamped, along with Samuel and Ahiah, the high priest on the top of one of the con

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 14:2. _UNDER A POMEGRANATE TREE_] Under _Rimmon_, which not only signifies a _pomegranate tree_, but also a strong rock, in which _six_ _hundred_ Benjamites took shelter, Judges 20:45. Probably it was in this very rock that Saul and his six hundred men now lay hidden....

UNDER A POMEGRANATE - Compare 1 Samuel 22:6; Judges 4:5. Saul was at the northern extremity of Gibeah, about an hour’s march from Geba, where Jonathan was. Migron, if the reading is correct, must be a different place from the Migron of Isaiah 10:28....

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 SAUL TARRIED IN THE UTTERMOST PART OF GIBEAH,.... Not daring to go out against the Philistines, but remained in the furthest part of Gibeah, at the greatest distance from the camp of the Philistines, in the strongest part of the city, or deeply entrenched in the outer, part of it in the field: UNDER A POMEGRANATE TREE; where were his headquarters; his tent or pavilion was erected under a large spreading pomegranate, which protected him from the heat of the sun: or UNDER RIMMON; the rock Rimmon; under the shelter of that, and in the caverns of it; where a like number of Benjaminites he now had with him formerly hid themselves, Judges 20:47 WHICH IS IN MIGRON; a part of Gibeah, or rather of the field of Gibeah, so called; for near it it certainly was; and is also mentioned along with Michmash, and as lying in the way of the march o

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 POMEGRANATE TREE. the pomegranate tree: i.e. the well-known one. MIGRON. North of Gilgal. MEN. Heb, _'ish.App-14._...

_the uttermost part of Gibeah_ Here at any rate _Gibeah_seems to denote a _district_. See note on 1 Samuel 10:5. Saul was stationed probably at the northern extremity of it, under " THE pomegranate tree which is in Migron." So we find him afterwards "under the tamarisk in Gibeah" (1 Samuel 22:6). _Migron_cannot be the place mentioned in Isaiah 10:28, which was north of Michmash. The name means _precipice_, and probably occurred frequently in this rocky region....