1-14 Tonathan goes and miraculously smites the Philistine's garrison 15,16 A divine terror makes them beat themselves 17-20 Saul, not staying the priest's answer, sets on them 21-23 The captivated Hebrews, and the hidden Israelites, join against them. 24-30 Saul's unadvised adjuration hinders the victory 31-34 He restrains the people from eating blood 35,36 He builds an altar 37-46 Jonathan, taken by lot, is save by the people 47-52 Saul's victories, strength, and family

A.M. 2917 B.C. 1087 An. Ex. Is. 404
it came to pass upon a day. or, there was a day
Jonathan 1Sa 14:39-45 13:2,22 18:1-4 2Sa 1:4,5,25,26

he told not 1Sa 25:19 Jud 6:27 14:6 Mic 7:5

2 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;

in the uttermost 1Sa 13:15,16 Isa 10:28,29

a pomegranate. The word rimmon, in Arabic romman, whence the Portuguese romaa, denotes the pomegranate, both tree and fruit; called by naturalists malus punica or malo-granatum. It is, according to the Linnean system, a genus of the icosandrai monogynia class of plants; and is a low tree, growing very common in Palestine, and other parts of the East. It has several small angular boughs, covered with a reddish-bark, and some of them armed with sharp thorns. They are garnished with small, narrow, spear-shaped leave, like those of the myrtle, but not so sharp, of a green colour, inclining to red. Its blossoms are large, beautiful, of an elegant red colour, inclining to purple, composed of several stalks resembling a rose, in the hollow of the cup: this cup is oblong, hard, purple, having a figure somewhat like that of a bell. It is chiefly valued for its fruit, which is exceedingly beautiful, of the form and size of a large apple, with a reddish rind, and red within; being full of small kernels, with red grains, replenished with a generous liquor, of which, Sir John Chardin informs us, they still make considerable quantities of wine in the East, particularly in Persia. But as the pomegranate tree, form its low growth, is but little adapted for pitching a tent under, it is probable that Rimmon here is the name of the rock mentioned in Jud. 20:45 Jud 20:45

3 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.

Ahiah 1Sa 22:9-12,20

called Ahimelech
I-chabod's 1Sa 4:21

wearing 1Sa 2:28 Ex 28:26-32

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.

the passages 1Sa 13:23

5 The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.

forefront [heb] tooth

6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armor, 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.

Come This action of Jonathan's 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 highly probable, that this gallant man was led to undertake the hazardous enterprise by an immediate divine impulse; and by the same influence was kept from informing the soldiers, and even from consulting his father, who might have opposed his design.

uncircumcised 1Sa 17:26,36 Ge 17:7-11 Jud 15:18 2Sa 1:20 Jer 9:23,26 Eph 2:11,12 Php 3:3

it may be 2Sa 16:12 2Ki 19:4 Am 5:15 Zep 2:3

for there is no restraint Where there is a promise of defense and support, the weakest, in the face of the strongest enemy, may rely upon it with the utmost confidence. De 32:30 Jud 7:4-7 2Ch 14:11 Ps 115:1-3 Zec 4:6 Mt 19:26 Ro 8:31

7 And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.

Do all 1Sa 10:7 2Sa 7:3 Ps 46:7 Zec 8:23

8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.

we will pass Jud 7:9-14

9 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.

they Ge 24:13,14 Jud 6:36-40

Tarry [heb] Be still

10 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.

this shall be a sign 1Sa 10:7 Ge 24:14 Jud 7:11 Isa 7:11-14

11 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.

out of the holes 1Sa 14:22 13:6 Jud 6:2

12 And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will show you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.

Come up to us Meaning, that they would cause them to repent of their audacity. This was the favourable sign which Jonathan had requested. 1Sa 14:10 17:43,44 2Sa 2:14-17 2Ki 14:8

Come up after me Ge 24:26,27,42,48 Jud 4:14 7:15 2Sa 5:24

13 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.

climbed up Ps 18:29 Heb 11:34

fell Le 26:7,8 De 28:7 32:30 Jos 23:10 Ro 8:31

14 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.

an half acre of land. or, half a furrow of an acre of land. The original is obscure and variously understood; but it is probably a a proverbial expression for a small space.

15 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.

there was trembling Jos 2:9 Jud 7:21 2Ki 7:6,7 Job 18:11 Ps 14:5

the spoilers 1Sa 13:17,23

the earth quaked Ex 19:18 Mt 24:6 27:50,51

very great trembling [heb] trembling of God Ge 35:5 Le 26:36,37 2Sa 5:24 Da 5:6

God will in some way or other direct the steps of those who acknowledge him in all their ways, and seek unto him for direction with full purpose of heart. 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 Providence.

16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.

melted away Ps 58:7 68:2

beating down 1Sa 14:20 Jud 7:22 2Ch 20:22-25 Isa 19:2

17 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.

18 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.

Bring hither The Septuagint reads () `Bring hither the ephod; for he bore the ephod on that day before Israel:' which Houbigant and others think is the true reading. Finding that his son Jonathan and his armour-bearer were absent, Saul wished to consult the high-priest; but the tumult increasing, he says to him, `Withdraw thine hand:' i.e, desist form consulting the ephod on this occasion, and immediately hastened to make the best use he could of this astonishing victory. 1Sa 4:3-5 30:8 Nu 27:21 Jud 20:18,23,27,28 2Sa 11:11 15:24-26

For the ark 1Sa 5:2 7:1

19 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.

noise. or, tumult
Withdraw 1Sa 14:24 13:11 Jos 9:14 Ps 106:13 Isa 28:16

20 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.

assembled themselves [heb] were cried together
every man's 1Sa 14:16 Jud 7:22 2Ch 20:23 Isa 9:19-21 19:2

21 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.

the Hebrews Probably such as they held in bondage, not who were their servants. Instead of (), `the Hebrews,' the LXX. evidently read (), for they have (), `the slaves;' but this reading is not countenanced by any another version, nor by any MS. 1Sa 29:4 Jud 7:23

22 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.

hid themselves 1Sa 13:6 31:7

the battle The LXX. and Vulgate add here, () `And [all the people who were, LXX.] there were with Saul about ten thousand men; but this is supported by no other authority.

23 So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.

the Lord Ex 14:30 Jud 2:18 2Ki 14:27 Ps 44:6-8 Ho 1:7

Beth-aven 1Sa 13:5

24 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.

Cursed 1Sa 14:27-30 Le 27:29 Nu 21:2 De 27:15-26 Jos 6:17-19,26 Jud 11:30 11:31 21:1-5 Pr 11:9 Ro 10:2 1Co 16:22

I may be Jud 5:2 1:28 Ps 18:47

25 And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.

all they De 9:28 Mt 3:5

honey This was wild honey, which to this day abounds in Judea; and bursting from the comb, runs down the hollow trees, rocks, etc. Ex 3:8 Nu 13:27 Mt 3:4

26 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.

the people Ec 9:2

27 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.

his eyes 1Sa 14:29 30:12 Pr 25:26

28 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.

Cursed 1Sa 14:24,43

faint. or, weary

29 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.

My father 1Ki 18:18

see It is well known, that hunger and fatigue produce faintness and dim the sight; and on taking a little food, this affection is immediately removed.

30 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?

had there Ec 9:18

31 And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.

from Michmash The distance, Calmet states to be three or four leagues

Aijalon Jos 10:12 19:42

32 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.

flew 1Sa 15:19

The people having abstained from food the whole of the day, and being now faint through hunger and fatigue, they flew upon the cattle, and not taking time to bleed them properly, they eagerly devoured the flesh with the blood, directly contrary to the law-- another bad effect of Saul's rash adjuration. Ge 9:4 Le 3:17 7:26,27 17:10-14 19:26 De 12:16,23,24 Eze 33:25 Ac 15:20,29

33 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.

transgressed. or, dealt treacherously Mt 7:5 Ro 2:1

34 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 there.

with him [heb] in his hand

35 And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.

built It is probable that Saul converted the great stone, on which the cattle had been slaughtered, into an altar, on which sacrifices were offered, before the people attempted to proceed any further. This we are told was the first he had built. Samuel, as a prophet and priest, had hitherto erected the altars, but Saul seems to have thought he had sufficient authority to erect one himself, without the prophet, as he had once offered sacrifice without him. 1Sa 7:9,17 Jud 21:4 Ho 8:14 2Ti 3:5

the same, etc. [heb] that altar he began to build unto the Lord.

36 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.

Let us go Jos 10:9-14,19 Jer 6:5

let us not leave 1Sa 11:11 Jos 11:14

Then said the priest it is evident that Ahiah, who had before been interrupted by Saul's impatience, doubted of the propriety of pursuing the Philistines that night, and properly counselled them to enquire of the Lord. Nu 27:21 Ps 73:28 Isa 48:1,2 58:2 Mal 2:7 Jas 4:8

37 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.

Shall I go 1Sa 23:4,9-12 30:7,8 Jud 1:1 20:18,28 2Sa 5:19,23 1Ki 22:5,15

he answered. 1Sa 28:6 Eze 14:3-5 20:3

38 And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.

Draw ye near 1Sa 10:19,20 Jos 7:14

chief [heb] corners Nu 24:17 Jud 20:2 2Sa 18:3 Ps 47:9 Zec 10:4 Mt 21:42 Eph 2:20

39 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.

1Sa 14:24,44 19:6 20:31 22:16 28:10 2Sa 12:5 Ec 9:2

40 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.

Do what seemeth 1Sa 14:7,36 2Sa 15:15

41 Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.

Therefore Both the Septuagint and Vulgate add much to this verse: `And Saul said [to the Lord God of Israel Vulgate] [give a sign Vulgate] Why is it that thou has not answered thy servant today? If the iniquity be in me, or in my son Jonathan, [O Lord God of Israel, LXX.] make it manifest; and if thou say thus, give to thy people Israel, give mercy,' etc. [but Vulgate Or, if this iniquity be in thy people, give sanctification,' etc.]

give a perfect lot. or, Shew the innocent Pr 16:33 Ac 1:24

And Saul 1Sa 10:20,21 Jos 7:16-18 Jon 1:7

escaped. [heb] went forth

42 And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.

43 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.

Tell me Jos 7:19 Jon 1:7-10

I did but 1Sa 14:27

44 And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.

God 1Sa 25:22 Ru 1:17 2Sa 3:9 19:13

thou shalt 1Sa 14:39 Ge 38:24 2Sa 12:5,31 Pr 25:16

45 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.

who hath 1Sa 14:23 19:5 Ne 9:27

there shall not The people judged rightly, that the guilt was contracted by Saul, and not by Jonathan; and therefore they rescued him from the hands of his rash and severe father. 2Sa 14:11 1Ki 1:52 Mt 10:30 Lu 21:18 Ac 27:34

he hath 2Ch 19:11 Isa 13:3 Ac 14:27 15:12 21:19 Ro 15:18 1Co 3:9 2Co 6:1 Php 2:12,13 Re 17:14 19:14

the people Isa 29:20,21

46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.

47 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.

Saul 1Sa 13:1

fought 2Ki 14:27

Ammon 1Sa 11:11 12:2

zobah 2Sa 10:6 1Ki 11:23

48 And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.

gathered an host. or, wrought mightily
smote 1Sa 15:3-7 Ex 17:14 De 25:19

49 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:

Jonathan 1Sa 31:2 1Ch 8:33 9:39

name of the first-born 1Sa 18:7-21 25:44 2Sa 3:13-16 6:20-23

50 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.

the name of the captain 1Sa 17:55 2Sa 2:8 3:27

Abner [heb] Abiner

51 And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.

Kish 1Sa 9:1,21

52 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.

when Saul 1Sa 8:1,11