1 Samuel 14:2
Tarried — In the outworks of the city where he had entrenched himself to observe the motion of the Philistines. In — Or, towards Migron, which was near Gibeah.... [ Continue Reading ]
Tarried — In the outworks of the city where he had entrenched himself to observe the motion of the Philistines. In — Or, towards Migron, which was near Gibeah.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ahiah — The same who is called Abimelech, 1 Samuel 22:9, 1 Samuel 22:11, 1 Samuel 22:20, the high — priest, who was here to attend upon the ark which was brought thither, 1 Samuel 14:18. Ephod — The high — priest's ephod, wherein the Urim and Thummim was.... [ Continue Reading ]
Passages — Two passages, both which Jonathan must cross, to go to the Philistines, between which the following rocks lay, but the words may be rendered, in the middle of the passage, the plural number being put for the singular. Rock — Which is not to be understood, as if in this passage one rock wa... [ Continue Reading ]
Uncircumcised — So he calls them, to strengthen his faith by this consideration, that his enemies were enemies to God; whereas he was circumcised, and therefore in covenant with God, who was both able, and engaged to assist his people. It way be — He speaks doubtfully: for tho' he felt himself stirr... [ Continue Reading ]
A sign — Jonathan not being assured of the success of this exploit, desires a sign; and by the instinct of God's Spirit, pitches upon this. Divers such motions and extraordinary impulses there were among great and good men in ancient times. Observe; God has the governing of the hearts and tongues of... [ Continue Reading ]
Come up, &c. — A speech of contempt and derision. The Lord — He piously and modestly ascribes the success which he now foresees, to God only. And he does not say, into our hand, but into the hand of Israel; for he fought not his own glory, but the public good. His faith being thus strengthened, noth... [ Continue Reading ]
They fell — For being endowed with extraordinary strength and courage, and having with incredible boldness killed the first they met with, it is not strange if the Philistines were both astonished and intimidated; God also struck them with a panic; and withal, infatuated their minds, and possibly, p... [ Continue Reading ]
Field — That is, in the whole host which was in the field. All — That is, among all the rest of their forces, as well as those in the garrison at Michmash, as the spoilers, mentioned 1 Samuel 13:17, the report of this prodigy, and with it the terror of God speedily passing from one to another. Tremb... [ Continue Reading ]
Withdraw — Trouble not thyself to enquire; for I now plainly discern the matter.... [ Continue Reading ]
Which went — Either by constraint, as servants; or in policy, to gain their favour and protection.... [ Continue Reading ]
The battle — That is, the warriors who were engaged in the battle, and were pursuing the Philistines. Yet it is said, the Lord saved Israel that day: he did it by them: for without him they could do nothing. Salvation is of the Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]
Distressed — With hunger, and weakness, and faintness, and all by reason of the following oath. Avenged — As Saul's intention was good, so the matter of the obligation was not simply unlawful, if it had not been so rigorous in excluding all food, and in obliging the people to it under pain of an acc... [ Continue Reading ]
Honey — Bees often make their hives in the trunks of trees, or clefts of rocks, or holes of the earth; and this in divers countries, but eminently in Canaan.... [ Continue Reading ]
Enlightened — He was refreshed, and recovered his lost spirits. This cleared his sight, which was grown dim by hunger and faintness.... [ Continue Reading ]
People — They that came with Saul, whose forces were now united with Jonathan's.... [ Continue Reading ]
Slew — At evening, when the time prefixed by Saul was expired. With blood — Not having patience to tarry 'till the blood was perfectly gone out of them, as they should have done. So they who made conscience of the king's commandment for fear of the curse, make no scruple of transgressing God's comma... [ Continue Reading ]
Transgressed — He sees their fault, but not his own, in giving the occasion of it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Draw near — To the ark, in order to enquire of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Answered — None of those who saw Jonathan eating, informed against him; because they were satisfied that his ignorance excused him; and from their great love to Jonathan, whom they would not expose to death for so small an offence.... [ Continue Reading ]
Perfect lot — Or, declare the perfect, or guiltless person. That is, O Lord, so guide the lot, that it may discover who is guilty in his matter, and who innocent. Escaped — They were pronounced guiltless.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jonathan — God so ordered the lot; not that he approved Saul's execration, 1 Samuel 14:24, or his oath that the transgressor should die, 1 Samuel 14:39, nor that he would expose Jonathan to death; but that Saul's folly might be chastised, when he saw what danger it had brought upon his eldest and ex... [ Continue Reading ]
For thou, &c — We have no proof, that Saul did not act in this whole affair from a real fear of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
With God — In concurrence with God, he hath wrought this salvation. God is so far from being offended with Jonathan, that he hath graciously owned him in the great service of this day.... [ Continue Reading ]
Took the kingdom — That is, resumed the administration of it, after he had in a manner lost it by the Philistines, who had almost turned him out of it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ishui — Called also Abinadab. 1 Samuel 31:2. Ishbosheth, Saul's other son is here omitted, because he intended to mention only those of his sons who went with him into the battles here mentioned, and who were afterwards slain with him.... [ Continue Reading ]