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Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 14:11-12

1 Samuel 14:11-12. Both of them discovered themselves At the bottom of the rocks. Come up to us, &c. A speech of contempt and derision. The Lord hath delivered them, &c. Jonathan, hearing those of the garrison make use of the very words which he had fixed on as a sign of victory, immediately concluded that God had influenced their minds and tongues, and thereby caused them to use the words, and would certainly render his designed attempt successful. And he piously and modestly... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 14:13

1 Samuel 14:13. They fell before Jonathan It is probable that the garrison, after they had spoken to Jonathan and his armour-bearer, concerned themselves no further about them, so that they climbed up unperceived, and fell upon the Philistines unawares, and perhaps when they were unarmed. And 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;... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:1-46

War against the Philistines (13:15-14:46)After Samuel left Gilgal, Saul took his troops and joined with the other section of the Israelite army, which was under Jonathan. Together they prepared for the battle against the Philistines (15-18). The Philistines were confident of victory, partly because for many years they had so controlled metal-working activities in the area that the Israelites owned hardly any weapons. This enabled the Philistines to raid throughout Israel without fear of strong... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 14:1-23

Jonathan’s success at Michmash 14:1-23Armed with trust in God and courage, Jonathan ventured out to destroy Israel’s enemy in obedience to God’s command to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan (cf. 1 Samuel 9:16). He would have made a good king of Israel. Saul remained in Gibeah, evidently on the defensive. His comfortable position under a fruit tree (cf. 1 Samuel 22:6; Judges 4:5) in secure Gibeah, surrounded by his soldiers, contrasts with Jonathan’s vulnerable and difficult position with only... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 14:1-52

Jonathan’s Exploit. The Battle of Michmash. A Summary of Saul’s Reign3. Ahiah] RV ’Ahijah,’ probably merely another form of Ahimelech (1 Samuel 21:1). Melech (king) was one of the titles of Jah or Jehovah.4. Between the passages] RV ’between the passes.’9. It has been suggested that the reply would show that the Philistines were brave men, and Jonathan would give up the enterprise as impossible; but in view of 1 Samuel 14:6, it is better to take the sign as a purely arbitrary one: cp. Judges... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Samuel 14:13

(13) And they fell before Jonathan . . .—The sign he prayed for was given him. There were probably but few sentinels at their posts; the inaccessibility of the craggy fortress had lulled the garrison into security. The few watching him at first mocked, and then, as Jonathan advanced with strange rapidity, they seem to have been, as it were, paralysed—the feat was hardly human—as the man, all armed, sprang over the rocky parapet. “His chief weapon was his bow,” writes Dean Stanley; “his whole... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:1-23

CHAPTER XIX.JONATHAN’S EXPLOIT AT MICHMASH.1 Samuel 14:1-23.IT has sometimes been objected to the representation occurring at the end of the thirteenth chapter of the utter want of arms among the Hebrews at this time that it is inconsistent with the narrative of the eleventh. If it be true, as stated there, that the Israelites gained a great victory over the Ammonites, they must have had arms to accomplish that; and, moreover, the victory itself must have put them in possession of the arms of... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Samuel 14:1-52

7. Jonathan’s Heroic Deed of Faith CHAPTER 14 1. Jonathan’s victory (1 Samuel 14:1-23 ) 2. Saul’s adjuration and Jonathan’s deed (1 Samuel 14:24-32 ) 3. Saul’s first altar and unanswered inquiry (1 Samuel 14:33-37 ) 4. Jonathan condemned and saved (1 Samuel 14:38-45 ) 5. Saul’s battle and success (1 Samuel 14:46-48 ) 6. Saul’s family (1 Samuel 14:49-52 ) Jonathan, one of the most beautiful characters of the Bible, with a kindred spirit, his armour bearer, goes forward to attack... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 1 Samuel 14:13

14:13 And Jonathan climbed up upon {f} his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.(f) That is, he crept up, or went up with all haste. read more

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