CHAPTER XIV _Jonathan and his armour-bearer purpose to attack a garrison of_ _the Philistines_, 1. _Saul and his army, with Ahiah the priest, tarry in Gibeah_, 2, 3. _Jonathan plans his attack of the Philistine garrison_, 4-10. _He and his armour-bearer climb over a rock: attack and rout the_... [ Continue Reading ]
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.... [ Continue Reading ]
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 fu... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:4. _THE NAME OF THE ONE_ WAS _BOZEZ_] _Slippery_; and the name of the other Seneh, _treading down_. - Targum.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:6. _LET US GO OVER_] Moved, doubtless, by a Divine impulse. THERE IS _NO RESTRAINT TO THE LORD_] This is a fine sentiment; and where there is a promise of defense and support, the weakest, in the face of the strongest enemy, may rely on it with the utmost confidence.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:7. _BEHOLD, I AM WITH THEE_] I shall accompany thee whithersoever thou goest, and share all thy dangers.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:9. _IF THEY SAY THUS UNTO US_] Jonathan had no doubt asked this as a sign from God; exactly as Eliezer the servant of Abraham did, Genesis 24:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:12. _COME UP TO US, AND WE WILL SHOW YOU A THING._] This was the favourable sign which Jonathan had requested. The Philistines seem to have meant, Come, and we will show you how well fortified we are, and how able to quell all the attacks of your countrymen.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:13. _JONATHAN CLIMBED UP_] It seems he had a part of the rock still to get over. When he got over he began to slay the guards, which were about twenty in number, these were of a sort of outpost or advanced guard to the garrison. _SLEW AFTER HIM_] Jonathan knocked them down, and th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:14. _A HALF ACRE OF LAND_] The ancients measured land by the quantum which a yoke of oxen could plough in a day. The original is obscure, and is variously understood. It is probably a proverbial expression for a _very small space_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:15. _THERE WAS TREMBLING IN THE HOST_] They were terrified and panic-struck; the people in general round about, those in the garrison, the spoilers, and the whole country, were struck with terror; the commotion was universal and most extraordinary. The trembling of the earth is pro... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:16. _THE WATCHMEN OF SAUL_] Those who were sent out as scouts to observe the motions of the army. _MELTED AWAY_] There was no order in the Philistine camp, and the people were dispersing in all directions. The Vulgate has, _Et ecce_ _multitudo prostrata_, "And behold the multitude... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:17. _NUMBER NOW_] Saul perceived that the Philistines were routed, but could not tell by what means; supposing that it must be by some of his own troops, he called a muster to see who and how many were absent.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:18. _BRING HITHER THE ARK OF GOD_] He wished to inquire what use he should make of the present favourable circumstances, and to proceed in the business as God should direct.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:19. _WHILE SAUL TALKED UNTO THE PRIEST_] Before he had made an end of consulting him, the increasing noise of the panic-struck Philistines called his attention; and finding there was no time to lose, he immediately collected his men and fell on them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:21. _THE HEBREWS_ THAT _WERE WITH THE PHILISTINES_] We may understand such as they held in bondage, or who were their servants. Instead of _Hebrews_ the _Septuagint_ read, οι δουλοι, _the slaves_; from which it is evident that, instead of עברים _Ibrim,_ _Hebrews_, they found in the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:22. _THE MEN - WHICH HAD HID THEMSELVES_] See 1 Samuel 13:6. The _Vulgate_ and the _Septuagint_ add here, _And there were with_ _Saul about ten thousand men_; but this is supported by no other authority.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:24. _SAUL HAD ADJURED THE PEOPLE_] He was afraid, if they waited to refresh themselves, the Philistines would escape out of their hands, and therefore he made the taking any food till sunset a capital crime. This was the very means of defeating his own intention; for as the people... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:25. _THERE WAS HONEY UPON THE GROUND_] There were many wild bees in that country, and Judea is expressly said to be a land flowing with milk and _honey_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:26. _THE HONEY DROPPED_] It seems to have dropped from the _trees_ on the ground. _Honey dews_, as they are called, are not uncommon in most countries; and this appears to have been something of this kind. I have seen _honey_ in considerable quantity on the _trees_ and long _grass_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:27. _HIS EYES WERE ENLIGHTENED._] Hunger and fatigue affect and dim the sight; on taking food, this affection is immediately removed. This most people know to be a fact.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:31. _THEY SMOTE THE PHILISTINES - FROM MISHMASH TO AIJALON_] The distance Calmet states to be three or four leagues.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:32. _THE PEOPLE DID EAT_ THEM _WITH THE BLOOD._] They were faint through hunger, and did not take time to bleed the cattle on which they fed. This was another bad effect of Saul's rash adjuration.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:33. _ROLL A GREAT STONE UNTO ME_] Probably this means that they should set up an altar to the Lord, on which the animals might be properly slain, and the blood poured out upon the earth; and a _large stone_ was erected for an _altar_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:35. _SAUL BUILT AN ALTAR_] And this we are informed was _the_ _first_ he had built; Samuel, as prophet had hitherto erected the altars, and Saul thought he had sufficient authority to erect one himself without the prophet, as he once offered sacrifice without him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:36. _THEN SAID THE PRIEST_] It is evident that Ahiah doubted the propriety of pursuing the Philistines that night; and as a reverse of fortune might be ruinous after such a victory, he wished to have specific directions from the Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:37. _HE ANSWERED HIM NOT THAT DAY._] Why was this answer delayed? Surely Jonathan's eating the honey was no _sin_. This could not have excited God's displeasure. And yet the _lot_ found out Jonathan! But did this argue that he had incurred guilt in the sight of God? I answer: It di... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:41. _LORD GOD OF ISRAEL, GIVE A PERFECT_ LOT.] Both the _Vulgate_ and _Septuagint_ add much to this verse: _And Saul said to_ _the Lord God of Israel, Lord God of Israel, give judgment. Why is_ _it that thou hast not answered thy servant to-day? If the iniquity_ _be in me, or Jonat... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:42. _AND JONATHAN WAS TAKEN._] The object of the inquiry most evidently was, "Who has gone contrary to the king's _adjuration_ today?" The answer to that _must_ be JONATHAN. But was this a proof of the Divine displeasure against the man? By no means: the holy oracle told the truth... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:44. _AND SAUL ANSWERED - THOU SHALT SURELY DIE, JONATHAN._] To save thy rash oath! So must John Baptist's head be taken off at the desire of an impure woman, because a Herod had sworn to give her whatever she might request! Unfeeling brute! However, the king was JUDGE. But what sai... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:45. _AND THE PEOPLE SAID_] "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." Here was a righteous and impartial _jury_, who brought in a _verdict_ according to the _evidenc... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:47. _SO SAUL TOOK THE KINGDOM_] The Targum appears to give the meaning of this expression: "Saul prospered in his government over Israel." And the proofs of his prosperity are immediately subjoined. _FOUGHT AGAINST ALL HIS ENEMIES_] Of the wars which are mentioned here we have no... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:48. _SMOTE THE AMALEKITES._] This war is mentioned in the following chapter.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:49. _NOW THE SONS OF SAUL_] We do not find Ishbosheth here. _Calmet_ says it was "because he was too young, and did not go with him to the war, for he mentions only those who were with him." Why then mention his _daughters_ and his _wife_? Did _they_ go with him to the war?... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 14:52. _WHEN SAUL SAW ANY STRONG MAN_] This was very politic. He thus continued to recruit his army with strong and effective men.... [ Continue Reading ]