1 Samuel 14:4

_AND BETWEEN THE PASSAGES, BY WHICH JONATHAN SOUGHT TO GO OVER UNTO THE PHILISTINES' GARRISON, THERE WAS A SHARP ROCK ON THE ONE SIDE, AND A SHARP ROCK ON THE OTHER SIDE: AND THE NAME OF THE ONE WAS BOZEZ, AND THE NAME OF THE OTHER SENEH._ Between the passages - i:e., the deep and great ravine of Suweinit, which extended from west to east. JONATHAN SOUGHT TO GO OVER UNTO THE PHILISTINES' GARRISON - a distance of about three miles, running between two jagged points, or, Hebrew, 'teeth of the cliff.' THERE WAS A SHARP ROCK ON THE ONE SIDE, AND A SHARP ROCK ON THE OTHER SIDE ... BOZEZ (SHINING, FROM THE ASPECT OF THE CHALKY ROCK) ... SENEH (the thorn, probably from a solitary acacia on its top). They are the only rocks of the kind in this vicinity; and the top of the crag toward Michmash was occupied as the post of the Philistines. 'In the gorge or valley are two hills of a conical or r...

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 14:4. _THE NAME OF THE ONE_ WAS _BOZEZ_] _Slippery_; and the name of the other Seneh, _treading down_. - Targum....

(The southern cliff was called “Seneh,” or “the acacia,” and the same name still applies to the modern valley, dotted by acacias. The northern cliff was named “Bozez” or “Shining.” The valley runs nearly due east, and the northern cliff is of ruddy and tawny tint, crowned with gleaming white chalk, and in the full glare of the sun almost all the day. (Conder.))...

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 BETWEEN THE PASSAGES BY WHICH JONATHAN SOUGHT TO GO OVER UNTO THE PHILISTINES' GARRISON,.... One of which is called the passage of Michmash, 1 Samuel 13:23 and was that by which they went from Gibeah to Michmash; the other, which might be called the passage of Gibeah, was that by which they went from Michmash to Gibeah, and in effect was but one; and this was seized by the garrison of the Philistines, on that part of it which was towards Michmash; so that there was no way of access to the camp of the Philistines, which Jonathan therefore proposed to go over to and destroy, but his difficulties were very great: THERE WAS A SHARP ROCK ON THE ONE SIDE, AND A SHARP ROCK ON THE OTHER SIDE; not that there was on each side of the passage or passages to the right and left a cragged rock, between which men passed as they went from place to place; for the position of them in

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

SHARP ROCK. a crag. Hebrew. _sela_ '. See notes on Exodus 17:6; Psalms 18:1; Psalms 18:2. AND. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, omit this "and". BOZEZ. Shining. SENEH. Sharp, or pointed. Hebrew. thorn....

_And between the passages_, &c. The scene of Jonathan's adventure is accurately described. The "passages" appear to be ravines running down into the main valley, by which it was possible to get down and cross over. "In the valley, [the _Wady es-Suweinit_ just at the left of where we crossed, are two hills of a conical or rather a spherical form, having steep rocky sides, with small wadys running up behind each so as almost to isolate them. One is on the side toward Jeba and the other towards Mukhmas. These would seem to be the two rocks mentioned in connexion with Jonathan's adventure." Robinson, _Bibl. Res_. I. 441. _a sharp rock_ Lit. "a tooth of the rock." Cp. note on 1 Samuel 7:12. _the name of the one was Bozez_ "The northern cliff was named Bozez or "shining," and the true explanation of this name only presents itself on the spot. The great valley runs