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. Ver. 1. _Jonathan the son of Saul said._] By an extraordinary instinct of the S... [ Continue Reading ]
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; Ver. 2. _And Saul tarried._] In his fastness; observing the enemies' motions, but unable to encounter them. _ Under a pomegranate tree._... [ Continue Reading ]
_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._ Ver. 3. _And Ahiah._] Called also Ahimelech, 1Sa 22:11-12 and basely butchered by the command of Saul, who here had... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 4. _There was a sharp rock._] Heb., The tooth of a r... [ Continue Reading ]
The forefront of the one [was] situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. Ver. 5. _The fore front._] Heb., The tooth. See 1 Samuel 14:4 . _ Northward over against Michmash._] So that these rocks were placed on either end of the inlet or passage; and he th... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for [there is] no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few._ Ver. 6. _Unto the garrison of these uncircumcised._] Strangers t... [ Continue Reading ]
And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that [is] in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I [am] with thee according to thy heart. Ver. 7. _Turn thee; behold, I am with thee._] Here we have an example of a faithful servant, who would thus stick to his master, and adventure with him. Doubtless he woul... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto [these] men, and we will discover ourselves unto them._ Ver. 8. _Behold, we will pass over._] Though on all fours, and with much ado. Difficulty doth but whet on heroic spirits. Alexander never held anything to be unfeasible.... [ Continue Reading ]
If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. Ver. 9. _If they say thus unto us._] This sign was _Nec superstitiosum nec Dei tentativum, sed religiosum aeque ac animosum:_ it was given him in answer to his earnest prayer,... [ Continue Reading ]
_But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this [shall be] a sign unto us._ Ver. 10. _But if they say thus, Come up unto us._] Come up if ye can; for they were confident upon the defence of the place: wherefore Jonathan doubted no... [ Continue Reading ]
And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves. Ver. 11. _Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes,_] _i.e., _ Out of their lurking places, 1Sa 14:22 or trenc... [ Continue Reading ]
And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel. Ver. 12. _Come up to us, and we will show you a thing._] Th... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him. Ver. 13. _And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet._] See 1 Samuel 14:4. Faith in God's power and promises will eat its way o... [ Continue Reading ]
And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, [which] a yoke [of oxen might plow]. Ver. 14. _Was about twenty men._] Twenty men, plus minus. So John 4:6, "It was about the sixth hour." In things whereof there is no... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 15. _And there was trembling in the host._] The Lord smote them with a panic terror; and hence they fell so f... [ Continue Reading ]
And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down [one another]. Ver. 16. _And they went on beating down one another._] As any one was in their way, they knocked him down: being smitten with such a _scotama_ or _acridis,_ a... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Saul unto the people that [were] with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer [were] not [there]. Ver. 17. _See who is gone from us,_] viz., To make this trouble in the army of the Philistines.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel. Ver. 18. _And Saul said unto Ahiah._] See 1 Samuel 14:3. Hypocrites in a strait repair to God, not so much to serve him, as to serve themselves upon him: for at another time they... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that [was] in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand. Ver. 19. _Withdraw thine hand._] Words of profane impiety: _q.d., _ it is now no time to consult with God, for... [ Continue Reading ]
And Saul and all the people that [were] with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, [and there was] a very great discomfiture. Ver. 20. Every man's sword was against his fellow.] See on 1 Samuel 14:16. So Judges 7:22 2 Chronicle... [ Continue Reading ]
Moreover the Hebrews [that] were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp [from the country] round about, even they also [turned] to be with the Israelites that [were] with Saul and Jonathan. Ver. 21. _Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines._] Either... [ Continue Reading ]
Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, [when] they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle. Ver. 22. _Even they also followed hard after them._] The Greeks have a proverb, When a tree is falling, every passenger will... [ Continue Reading ]
So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven. Ver. 23. _So the Lord saved Israel._] Immediately, and for no merit of theirs. See 1 Samuel 14:20 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed [be] the man that eateth [any] food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted [any] food. Ver. 24. _And the men of Israel were distressed that day._] Saved they w... [ Continue Reading ]
And all [they of] the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground. Ver. 25. _And there was honey upon the ground._] Wild honey (such as John Baptist fed on) dropping from the trees, where wild bees left it, and frequently fought with wild bears that there sought and sucked it.... [ Continue Reading ]
And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath. Ver. 26. _Behold, the honey dropped._] Hence Canaan is so oft called "a land flowing with milk and honey." _ But no man put his hand to his mouth._] It argu... [ Continue Reading ]
But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that [was] in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened. Ver. 27. _But Jonathan heard not._] He was absent, and therefore in... [ Continue Reading ]
Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed [be] the man that eateth [any] food this day. And the people were faint. Ver. 28. _Then answered one of the people._] To Jonathan, who haply had exhorted them to refresh themselves, as he... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey. Ver. 29. _My father hath troubled the land._] _Iuveniliter hoc dixit Ionathas,_ saith one. _a_ If Saul had done unadvisedly, yet Jonathan should not h... [ Continue Reading ]
How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines? Ver. 30. _How much more, if haply the people had eaten._] Here are his reasons wherefore he disliked his father's act... [ Continue Reading ]
And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint. Ver. 31. _From Michmash to Aijalon._] A city in the tribe of Dan, Jos 19:42 twelve miles distant from Michmash, say some.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew [them] on the ground: and the people did eat [them] with the blood. Ver. 32. _And the people flew upon the spoil._] Hard hunger, which driveth the wolf out of the wood and breaketh through stone walls, as we say, mad... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day._ Ver. 33. _Ye have transgressed._] But whose fault was it that they thus transgressed? Was not his rash edict or ordinance... [ Continue Reading ]
And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay [them] here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew [them] th... [ Continue Reading ]
And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD. Ver. 35. _And Saul built an altar unto the Lord._] That they that would might thereon offer peaceofferings, as Vatablus here noteth. _ The same was the first altar that he built,_] _sc., _ In obedience... [ Continue Reading ]
And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God. Ver. 36. _Let us not leave a man of them._] Here he... [ Continue Reading ]
And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day. Ver. 37. _And Saul asked counsel of God._] Since the high priest would needs have it so. See 1 Samuel 14:34 . _ But he answered him not that day._... [ Continue Reading ]
And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day. Ver. 38. _Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people._] Heb., The corners: for what the cornerstones are to the building, that the princes are to the people. See Judges 20:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
For, [as] the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But [there was] not a man among all the people [that] answered him. Ver. 39. _For, as the Lord liveth._] Saul seemeth to have been a very great swearer, rapping out oath upon oath, which belike he... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee._ Ver. 40. _Do what seemeth good unto thee._] So they had said once before. 1Sa 14:36 Silken words must be given to princes as she in... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect [lot]. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped. Ver. 41. _Give a perfect lot._] Or, Show the innocent, as Tremelius rendereth it. Saul was so scrupulous, that he would not so much as name a guilty man, or sinner, but i... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Saul said, Cast [lots] between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken._ Ver. 42. _And Jonathan was taken._] Not in answer to Saul's prayers, which God valued not. But, (1.) To show that he is the disposer of lots; (2.) To humble Jonathan, who was in danger of being puffed up too much w... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that [was] in mine hand, [and], lo, I must die. Ver. 43. _And, lo, I must die._] This he speaketh, saith Josephus, out of his constancy and contempt of de... [ Continue Reading ]
And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan. Ver. 44. _And Saul answered, God do so and more also._] It appeareth that Saul was a great swearer. _Et rationem maiorem habebat iurameuti quam iuris, &c._ _a_ Thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.] This was sharp law; as... [ Continue Reading ]
And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: [as] the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not. Ver. 45. _Shall Jon... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place. Ver. 46. _Then Saul went up._] Seeing that God was displeased, and the people discontented, and the time now past.... [ Continue Reading ]
So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed [them]. Ver. 47. _So Saul took the ki... [ Continue Reading ]
And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them. Ver. 48. _And he gathered a host,_] See on 1 Samuel 14:47 . _ And delivered Israel out of the hands._] God may make use of wicked men as instruments to defend his people: "the earth... [ Continue Reading ]
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters [were these]; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal: Ver. 49. _Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, &c._] Ishbosheth is not once named, because he was an ουτιδανος, not fit... [ Continue Reading ]
And the name of Saul's wife [was] Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host [was] Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. Ver. 50. And the name of Saul's wife.] We read but of this one wife that Saul had: and this some: _a_ do number among his virtues, that he multiplie... [ Continue Reading ]
And Kish [was] the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner [was] the son of Abiel. Ver. 51. _And Kish was the father of Saul._] Hence Saul is called Cush the Benjamite, Psalms 7:1 _, title_ as the Chaldee there paraphraseth it. _ And Ner the father of Abner._] In 1 Chronicles 8:33, Ner is said... [ Continue Reading ]
And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him. Ver. 52. _And when Saul saw any strong man._] _Robustum et pugnacem._ This was not amiss, had he not placed too much confidence in them, as indeed he did.... [ Continue Reading ]