1 Samuel 14:1

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

garrison, 11-15.

Saul and has company, seeing confusion on the Philistine host,

come out against them; as did the men who had hidden

themselves; and the Philistines are defeated, 16-23.

Saul lays every man under a curse who shall eat food until the

evening; in consequence of which the people are sorely

distressed, 24-26.

Jonathan, not hearing the adjuration, eats a little honey, which

he found on the ground, 27-30.

The Philistines being defeated, the people seize on the spoil,

and begin to eat flesh without previously bleeding the animals,

which Saul endeavours to prevent, 31-34.

He builds an altar there, 35.

Inquires of the Lord if he may pursue the Philistines by night,

but receives no answer, 36, 37.

Attributes this to some sin committed by some unknown person:

makes inquiry by lot; and finds that Jonathan had tasted the

honey, on which he purposes to put him to death, 38-44.

The people interpose, and rescue Jonathan, 45.

Saul fights against the Moabites, Ammonites, and Amalekites,

46-48.

An account of the family of Saul, 49-52.

NOTES ON CHAP. XIV

Verse 1 Samuel 14:1. Come, and let us go over] This action of Jonathan was totally contrary to the laws of war; no military operation should be undertaken without the knowledge and command of the general. But it is likely that he was led to this by a Divine influence.

The armour-bearer is the origin of what we call esquire, from escu, old French, a shield; armiger is the Latin, from arma, weapons, and gero, I bear. In the times of chivalry, the armiger, or esquire, was the servant of the knight who went after him, and carried his lance, shield, c. It is now (strange to tell!) a title of honour.