1And that day, JoNathan (Saul’s son) said to the servant who was carrying his weapons, ‘Come with me! Let’s go around to the other side of the Philistine garrison’ (but he didn’t tell his father what he was doing). 2Meanwhile, Saul had moved to the peak of a hill in MagAdon, and he was camping there under a pomegranate tree. Then, some of his [remaining] six hundred (or so) men came there to meet with him, 3and AhiJah (the son AhiTub, the brother of Ichabod, who was the son of Phinehas and the grandson of Eli) the Priest of Jehovah in Shiloh, came carrying the sacred chest piece of the Priest. However, no one knew that JoNathan had left. 4Now, JoNathan had crossed through the middle of the river on his way to the Philistine camp, at a ford where there were jagged rocks on both sides (on one side it was called Bozez, and on the other side it was called Seneh), 5along the road that leads from MichMash in the north, to Geba in the south. 6Then JoNathan said to the servant who was carrying his weapons, ‘Come on, let’s go to the town of MesSab [and attack] the uncircumcised who are camped there, for, perhaps Jehovah will give them [into our hands]. After all, doesn’t [Jehovah give victory] over many to just a few?’ 7And the man who was carrying his weapons replied, ‘You do whatever your heart moves you to do. Look, I’m with you. For, whatever is in your heart is in my heart also.’ 8And JoNathan said, ‘Then we’ll go up there [and stand in front of them]. 9And if they say to us, Wait there, we’ll just stay away and we won’t go any closer. 10But if they tell us to come forward, that will be our sign… we’ll know that Jehovah has given them into our hands, so we’ll attack.’ 11Then they walked up to the Philistine camp at MesSab, and a Philistine guard shouted, ‘Look! Here come some Hebrews who have crawled out of the burrows they’ve been hiding in.’ 12So the men of MesSab called to JoNathan and the man who was carrying his weapons, and said: ‘Come on up here to us and we’ll show you a few things.’ Then JoNathan said to the man who was carrying his weapons, ‘Now follow me, for Jehovah has given them into the hands of Israel!’ 13And JoNathan crawled up the hill on his hands and feet, with the man carrying his weapons close behind. 14Then JoNathan and [his attendant] attacked, killing twenty men using arrows, slings, and rocks that they’d found in the field. 15And this caused quite a change in attitude among the [Philistines] in and around MesSab, for they had caught the men they destroyed off guard. And everyone was very disturbed over what [Jehovah had done among them]. 16Well, Saul’s watchmen in GibeAh of BenJamin noticed that there was a lot of confusion on both sides of the enemy camp. 17And Saul said to the people who were meeting with him: ‘Take a head count and see who has left us.’ So, they took a head count and found that JoNathan and the man carrying his weapons were missing. 18Then Saul said to AhiJah, ‘Bring the sacred chest piece!’ (It was inside the Chest of God that day, before Israel). 19And as Saul was speaking to the Priest, he noticed that the sound in the Philistine camp kept getting louder and louder. So he said to the Priest, ‘Put your hands together [and pray].’ 20Then Saul went and gathered his troops and they joined the battle. Well, confusion reigned in the Philistine camp and the men started attacking each other with swords. 21Then [Saul’s] men (who had [been hiding] for the previous two days) got up and joined the battle with Saul and JoNathan. 22And when the Israelites who had run to the hills of EphraIm heard that the Philistines were retreating, they all came and joined in the battle, and Jehovah gave victory to Israel that day. Well, the battle raged through BethAven, and by then, about ten thousand men had joined Saul. 23And from there the war continued to be fought in many cities and into the hills of EphraIm. 24Then Saul did something very foolish; he placed a curse on the people when he said, ‘Any man who eats before the evening is cursed, because I want my enemies punished!’ As the result, none of his men had anything to eat. Well, his people had gathered in a grove of trees, 25and nearby (at the edge of a field), there were some beehives. 26And when some of his people went up to them, they found that they were full of honey; but no one would taste any, because of the oath that [Saul] had made before Jehovah. 27However, JoNathan didn’t know about the oath his father had spoken in front of people, so he stuck his walking stick into a hive, snagged some honeycomb, and ate it. Then, when he looked up, 28one of the men said, ‘Your father swore an oath before the people that anyone who eats anything today is cursed.’ Well, the people were famished, 29and JoNathan realized this, so he said, ‘My father is still cleaning out the land; and look, I’ve already eaten a little of this honey. 30Why, if our people [could have eaten] what they took from their enemies today, they would have killed more Philistines!’ 31Well, they had destroyed many Philistines at MichMash, and the people were extremely tired. 32So in [the evening], they went and divided up [the Philistine’s] flocks and herds. Then they slaughtered many calves and started eating the [raw] meat with its blood. 33And when the report was brought to Saul that the people were sinning against Jehovah by eating the blood, Saul said, ‘You have sinned! Now roll a large rock over here.’ 34Then Saul sent orders for his men to each bring a calf and a sheep, and they were to slaughter them there on the rock and eat them. For he said: ‘You must not sin against Jehovah by eating blood!’ So, everyone brought [the animals] that night and slaughtered them there. 35Then Saul built an altar to Jehovah 36and he said, ‘Now, let’s go after the Philistines tonight and keep cutting them to pieces until the morning dawns… don’t leave a single man!’ And they replied, ‘We’ll do whatever you say!’ Then [Saul] called the Priest and said, ‘Bring [the Chest] of our God here.’ 37And Saul asked God, ‘Shall I attack the Philistines, and will you give them into the hands of Israel?’ But [God] wouldn’t answer him, 38so Saul said, ‘Then bring [all the men of] Israel here and stand them in front of me, because I want everyone to know if someone has been [guilty of sin] today! 39Why, as Jehovah (the One who saves Israel) lives; if someone were to even tell me that it was my son JoNathan, he would die.’ But nobody said anything. 40Then he spoke before all the men of Israel, and said, ‘You are part of this, and my son JoNathan and I [are part] of it. And the people replied to Saul, ‘Then do whatever you must!’ 41And Saul said, ‘O Jehovah, God of Israel, give us a sign.’ Then lots were thrown, and Saul and JoNathan were chosen, so the people were excused. 42And Saul said, ‘Now throw the lots between me and my son JoNathan, and whoever Jehovah chooses must die!’ So, they threw the lots between him and JoNathan, and JoNathan was chosen. 43And Saul asked JoNathan, ‘Tell me, what did you do?’ And JoNathan replied ‘I took a little honey on the tip of my walking stick and tasted it. So look, I must die!’ 44Then Saul said, ‘May God [kill] me again and again rather than to allow JoNathan to die today.’ 45Then Saul spoke to the people and said, ‘Shall I now kill the one who brought deliverance to Israel? As Jehovah lives, not a hair of his head should fall to the ground over the mercy that God has performed for Israel today.’ Then the people prayed on behalf of JoNathan, and he wasn’t put to death. 46So, Saul didn’t chase after the Philistines that day… everyone just went back home. 47Now, after Saul was chosen by lottery to rule over Israel, he waged war with his enemies all around the land… the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the king of Zobah, and the Philistines. And wherever he went, he was saved. 48He acted decisively and struck down the Amalechites and anyone else who tried to walk on Israel. 49Saul’s sons were JoNathan, IshVi, and MelchiShua. He also had two daughters, Merob and Michal. 50Saul’s wife’s name was AhinoAm, and she was the daughter of AhimaAz. The commander-in-chief of Saul’s army was AbNer (the son of Ner), who was related to Saul. 51Kish was Saul’s father, and AbNer’s father Ner was the son of AbiEl. 52He was a strong fighter against the Philistines throughout the life of Saul. And whenever Saul found a valiant or a very strong man, he was recruited to serve Saul.
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge 1 1Sam 14:1 Jonathan goes and miraculously smites the Philistine's garrison.
1Sam 14:15 A divine terror makes them beat themselves.
1Sam 14:17 Saul, not staying the priest's answer, sets on them.
1Sam 14:21 The captivated Hebrews, and the hidden Israelites, join against them.
1Sam 14:24 Saul's unadvised adjuration hinders the victory.
1Sam 14:31 He restrains the people from eating blood.
1Sam 14:35 He builds an altar.
1Sam 14:37 Jonathan, taken by lot, is save by the people.
1Sam 14:47 Saul's victories, strength, and family.
A.M. 2917. B.C. 1087. An. Ex. Is. 404. it came to passupon a day. or, there was a day. Jonathan.
1Sam 14:39 -
1Sam 14:45 1Sam 13:2 1Sam 13:22 1Sam 18:1 -
1Sam 18:4 2Sam 1:4 2Sam 1:5 2Sam 1:25 2Sam 1:26he told not.
1Sam 25:19 Judg 6:27 Judg 14:6 Mic 7:5 2 in the uttermost.
1Sam 13:15 1Sam 13:16 Isa 10:28 Isa 10:29a 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
icosandria 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, very thick and bushy, covered with a reddish bark, and some of them armed with sharp thorns. They are garnished with small, narrow, spear-shaped leaves, 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, from 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
Judg 20:45.
3 Ahiah.
1Sam 22:9 -
1Sam 22:12 1Sam 22:20called Ahimelech. I-chabod's.
1Sam 4:21wearing.
1Sam 2:28 Exod 28:26 -
Exod 28:32 4 the passages.
1Sam 13:23 5 forefront. Heb. tooth.
1Sam 14:4Bozez. i.e., shining. Seneh. i.e., a bush or tooth.
6 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.
1Sam 17:26 1Sam 17:36 Gen 17:7 -
Gen 17:11 Judg 15:18 2Sam 1:20 Jer 9:23 Jer 9:26 Eph 2:11 Eph 2:12 Phil 3:3it may be.
2Sam 16:12 2Kgs 19:4 Amos 5:15 Zeph 2:3for 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.
Deut 32:30 Judg 7:4 -
Judg 7:7 2Chr 14:11 Ps 115:1 -
Ps 115:3 Zech 4:6 Matt 19:26 Rom 8:31 7 Do all.
1Sam 10:7 2Sam 7:3 Ps 46:7 Zech 8:23 8 we will pass.
Judg 7:9 -
Judg 7:14 9 they.
Gen 24:13 Gen 24:14 Judg 6:36 -
Judg 6:40Tarry. Heb. Be still.
10 this shall be a sign.
1Sam 10:7 Gen 24:14 Judg 7:11 Isa 7:11 -
Isa 7:14 11 out of the holes.
1Sam 14:22 1Sam 13:6 Judg 6:2 12 Come up to us. Meaning, that they would cause them to repent of their audacity. This was the favourable sign which Jonathan had requested.
1Sam 14:10 1Sam 17:43 1Sam 17:44 2Sam 2:14 -
2Sam 2:17 2Kgs 14:8Come up after me.
Gen 24:26 Gen 24:27 Gen 24:42 Gen 24:48 Judg 4:14 Judg 7:15 2Sam 5:24 13 climbed up.
Ps 18:29 Heb 11:34fell.
Lev 26:7 Lev 26:8 Deut 28:7 Deut 32:30 Josh 23:10 Rom 8:31 14 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 proverbial expression for a small space.
1Sam 14:14 15 there was trembling.
Josh 2:9 Judg 7:21 2Kgs 7:6 2Kgs 7:7 Job 18:11 Ps 14:5the spoilers.
1Sam 13:17 1Sam 13:23the earth quaked.
Exod 19:18 Matt 24:6 Matt 27:50 Matt 27:51very great trembling. Heb. trembling of God.
Gen 35:5 Lev 26:36 Lev 26:37 2Sam 5:24 Dan 5:6God 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 melted away.
Ps 58:7 Ps 68:2beating down.
1Sam 14:20 Judg 7:22 2Chr 20:22 -
2Chr 20:25 Isa 19:2 17 1Sam 14:17 18 Bring hither. The Septuagint reads [Prosagage to ephoud, hoti autos ere to ephoud en te hemera ekeine enopiou Israel. ] "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 the present occasion, and immediately hastened to make the best use he could of this astonishing victory.
1Sam 4:3 -
1Sam 4:5 1Sam 30:8 Num 27:21 Judg 20:18 Judg 20:23 Judg 20:27 Judg 20:28 2Sam 11:11 2Sam 15:24 -
2Sam 15:26For the ark.
1Sam 5:2 1Sam 7:1 19 noise. or, tumult. Withdraw.
1Sam 14:24 1Sam 13:11 Josh 9:14 Ps 106:13 Isa 28:16 20 assembled themselves. Heb. were cried together. everyman's.
1Sam 14:16 Judg 7:22 2Chr 20:23 Isa 9:19 -
Isa 9:21 Isa 19:2 21 the Hebrews. Probably such as they held in bondage, or who were their servants. Instead of
haivrim, "the Hebrews," the LXX. evidently read
haâvdim, for they have [Loi douloi,] "the slaves;" but this reading is not countenanced by any other version, nor by any MS.
1Sam 29:4 Judg 7:23 22 hid themselves.
1Sam 13:6 1Sam 31:7the battle. The LXX. and Vulgate add here, [kai pas ho laos en meta Saoul hos deka chiliades andron,]
Et erant cum Saul, quasi decem millia virorum. "And [all the people who were, LXX. ] there were with Saul about ten thousand men;" but this is supported by no other authority.
23 the Lord.
Exod 14:30 Judg 2:18 2Kgs 14:27 Ps 44:6 -
Ps 44:8 Hos 1:7Beth-aven.
1Sam 13:5 24 Cursed.
1Sam 14:27 -
1Sam 14:30 Lev 27:29 Num 21:2 Deut 27:15 -
Deut 27:26 Josh 6:17 -
Josh 6:19 Josh 6:26 Judg 11:30 Judg 11:31 Judg 21:1 -
Judg 21:5 Pro 11:9 Rom 10:2 1Cor 16:22I may be.
Judg 5:2 Judg 1:28 Ps 18:47 25 all they.
Deut 9:28 Matt 3:5honey. This was wild honey, which to this day abounds in Judea; and bursting from the comb, runs down the hollow trees, rocks, etc.
Exod 3:8 Num 13:27 Matt 3:4 26 the people.
Eccl 9:2 27 his eyes.
1Sam 14:29 1Sam 30:12 Pro 25:26 28 Cursed.
1Sam 14:24 1Sam 14:43faint. or, weary.
29 My father.
1Kgs 18:18see. 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 had there.
Eccl 9:18 31 from Michmash. The distance, Calmet states to be three or four leagues.
Aijalon.
Josh 10:12 Josh 19:42 32 flew.
1Sam 15:19the people. 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.
did eat.
Gen 9:4 Lev 3:17 Lev 7:26 Lev 7:27 Lev 17:10 -
Lev 17:14 Lev 19:26 Deut 12:16 Deut 12:23 Deut 12:24 Ezek 33:25 Acts 15:20 Acts 15:29 33 transgressed. or, dealt treacherously.
Matt 7:5 Rom 2:1 34 with him. Heb. in his hand.
1Sam 14:34 35 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.
1Sam 7:9 1Sam 7:17 Judg 21:4 Hos 8:14 2Tim 3:5the same, etc. Heb. that altar he began to build unto theLord.
36 Let us go.
Josh 10:9 -
Josh 10:14 Josh 10:19 Jer 6:5let us not leave.
1Sam 11:11 Josh 11:14Then 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.
Num 27:21 Ps 73:28 Isa 48:1 Isa 48:2 Isa 58:2 Mal 2:7 Jas 4:8 37 Shall I go.
1Sam 23:4 1Sam 23:9 -
1Sam 23:12 1Sam 30:7 1Sam 30:8 Judg 1:1 Judg 20:18 Judg 20:28 2Sam 5:19 2Sam 5:23 1Kgs 22:5 1Kgs 22:15he answered.
1Sam 28:6 Ezek 14:3 -
Ezek 14:5 Ezek 20:3 38 Draw ye near.
1Sam 10:19 1Sam 10:20 Josh 7:14 -
Josh 7:26chief. Heb. corners.
Num 24:17 Judg 20:2 2Sam 18:3 Ps 47:9 Zech 10:4 Matt 21:42 Eph 2:20 39 1Sam 14:24 1Sam 14:44 1Sam 19:6 1Sam 20:31 1Sam 22:16 1Sam 28:10 2Sam 12:5 Eccl 9:2 40 Do what seemeth.
1Sam 14:7 1Sam 14:36 2Sam 15:15 41 Therefore. Both the Septuagint and Vulgate add much to this verse: [Kai eipe Saoul, Kyrie Lo Theos Israel, ti Loti ouk apekrithes to doulo sou semeron? ei en emoi e en lonathan to Luio mou he adikia, Kyrie ho Theos Israel dos delous kai ean tade eipe, dos de to lao sou Israel, dos de osioteta, k. t. l. ]
Et dixit Saul ad Dominum Deum Israel; Domine Deus Israel da indicium: quid est quod non responderis servo tuo hodie? Si in me, aut in Jonatha filio meo est iniquitas hec, da ostensionem: aut si hec iniquitas est in populo tuo, da sanctitatem, etc. "And Saul said [to the Lord God of Israel, Vulg. ] Lord God of Israel [give a sign, Vulg. ] Why is it that thou has not answered thy servant to-day? 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 Vulg. Or, if this iniquity be in thy people, give sanctification," etc. ]
Give a perfect lot. or, Shew the innocent.
Pro 16:33 Acts 1:24And Saul.
1Sam 10:20 1Sam 10:21 Josh 7:16 -
Josh 7:18 Jonah 1:7escaped. Heb. went forth.
42 1Sam 14:42 43 Tell me.
Josh 7:19 Jonah 1:7 -
Jonah 1:10I did but.
1Sam 14:27 44 God.
1Sam 25:22 Ruth 1:17 2Sam 3:9 2Sam 19:13thou shalt.
1Sam 14:39 Gen 38:24 2Sam 12:5 2Sam 12:31 Pro 25:16 45 who hath.
1Sam 14:23 1Sam 19:5 Neh 9:27there 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.
2Sam 14:11 1Kgs 1:52 Matt 10:30 Luke 21:18 Acts 27:34he hath.
2Chr 19:11 Isa 13:3 Acts 14:27 Acts 15:12 Acts 21:19 Rom 15:18 1Cor 3:9 2Cor 6:1 Phil 2:12 Phil 2:13 Rev 17:14 Rev 19:14the people.
Isa 29:20 Isa 29:21 46 1Sam 14:46 47 Saul.
1Sam 13:1fought.
2Kgs 14:27Ammon.
1Sam 11:11 1Sam 12:2Zobah.
2Sam 10:6 1Kgs 11:23 48 gathered an host. or, wrought mightily. smote.
1Sam 15:3 -
1Sam 15:7 Exod 17:14 Deut 25:19 49 Jonathan.
1Sam 31:2 1Chr 8:33 1Chr 9:39name of the first-born.
1Sam 18:7 -
1Sam 18:21 1Sam 25:44 2Sam 3:13 -
2Sam 3:16 2Sam 6:20 -
2Sam 6:23 50 the name of the captain.
1Sam 17:55 2Sam 2:8 2Sam 3:27Abner. Heb. Abiner.
51 Kish.
1Sam 9:1 1Sam 9:21 52 when Saul.
1Sam 8:1 1Sam 8:11