1 Samuel 14:3

_AND AHIAH, THE SON OF AHITUB, ICHABOD'S BROTHER, THE SON OF PHINEHAS, THE SON OF ELI, THE LORD'S PRIEST IN SHILOH, WEARING AN EPHOD. AND THE PEOPLE KNEW NOT THAT JONATHAN WAS GONE._ No JFB commentary on this verse....

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 14:3. _AHIAH, THE SON OF AHITUB_] Phinehas, son of Eli the high priests had two sons, Ahitub and I-chabod; the latter was born when the ark was taken, and his mother died immediately after. Ahiah is also called Ahimelech, 1 Samuel 22:9. _WEARING AN EPHOD._] That is, performing the functions of the high priest. This man does not appear to have been with Saul when he offered the sacrifices, 1 Samuel 13:9, c....

Whether “Ahiah” or “Ahijah” is the same person as “Ahimelech the son of Ahitub” (see the marginal reference), or whether Ahimelech was the brother or son of Ahijah, and his successor in the priesthood, it is impossible to say certainly. Most probably “Ahijah” and “Ahimilech” are variations of the same name; the latter element in each alone being different, מלך _melek_ (king) being substituted for the divine name יה _yâhh_. Compare “Eliakim” and “Jehoiakim” 2 Kings 23:34, “Eliab” and “Eliel” 1Ch 6:27, 1 Chronicles 6:34. This fragment of a genealogy is a very valuable help to the chronology. The grandson of Phinehas, the son of Eli, was

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 AHIAH THE SON OF AHITUB, ICHABOD'S BROTHER,.... Ichabod was the child that Phinehas's wife bore prematurely on hearing the news of the ark being taken and of the death of her husband and father-in-law, which name she gave him on that account, and died; see 1 Samuel 4:19, he, it seems, had an elder brother, called Ahitub, who died young, and this Ahiah was the son of him; for not he, but Ahitub, was Ichabod's brother: THE SON OF PHINEHAS; so Ichabod was: THE SON OF ELI; so Phinehas was: THE LORD'S PRIEST IN SHILOH; this refers not to Ahiah for he was not now priest in Shiloh, which was destroyed: and besides, he was now in the camp of Saul; but to Eli, who when living exercised the priest's office in Shiloh: WEARING AN EPHOD; as Ahiah now did; not such as common priests wore, but the ephod the high priest wore

AHIAH Called Ahimelech, (1 Samuel 22:9); (1 Samuel 22:11); (1 Samuel 22:20)....

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

AHIAH (= brother or friend of Jehovah). As Ahimelech (brother or friend of the king) was also the son of _Ahitub,_ therefore Ahiah and Ahimelech were brothers, and the latter succeeded the former (1 Samuel 22:11). I-chabod's. Compare 1 Samuel 4:21. THE LORD'S. Hebrew. _Jehovah_. App-4. WEARING AN EPHOD. See note on 1 Samuel 14:18....