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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 14:15

(15) And there was trembling in the host.—The rest of the outpost garrison, panic-stricken, escaped to the other camp of the main body of the host, spreading dismay as they fled.And the earth quaked . . .—To add to the dire confusion, an earthquake was felt, which completed the discomfiture of the Philistines; they perceived that some Divine power was fighting against them, and all the stories of the unseen Helper of the Hebrews would flash across their minds. Some would explain the earthquake... 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 14:15

14:15 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 {h} quaked: so it was a very great trembling.(h) In that the insensible creatures tremble for fear of God’s judgment, it declares how terrible his vengeance will be against his enemies. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 14:1-52

Jonathan had been acting for God at the time Saul had pronounced his prohibition, so that he was not there to hear it. With the end of his rod he dipped honey from a honeycomb. In eating it, his eyes were enlightened, which certainly involves a revival of strength. Honey is typical of the ministry of the Word of God. Just as the worker bees digest the nectar before storing the honey for the use of all the hive, so believers, meditating on the Word, digest it before presenting it to others in... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:1-52

THE MONARCHY ON ITS WAY The period covered by these chapters is doubtless of some length, whose history is summed up in the closing verses of the second (v. 47-52). But there are special features reported in detail which constitute the substance of the lesson. THE RENDEZVOUS AT GILGAL (1 Samuel 13:1-4 ) Saul’s plan seems to have been not a large standing army but a small body- guard, divided between him and his son (1 Samuel 13:2 ), for the purpose of harassing the enemy in detachments.... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Samuel 14:1-52

Saul's Early Efforts 1 Samuel 13:1; 1 Samuel 14:01 Samuel 14:0 IN these two chapters we have an opportunity of seeing how Saul betook himself to his kingly work. He did not rush upon his office in indecent haste. We have seen that after his anointing he returned to pursue his usual avocations, and that only upon receiving a special summons from men in distress did he arise to vindicate his true position in Israel. Having overthrown Nahash the Ammonite and received a renewal of the kingdom at... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:14-15

(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. (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. It should seem, that a similar effect, like that which the Lord wrought in the host of Midian, must have been induced, to cause this great... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:15

Miracle. Hebrew charada, "consternation or trembling," a panic fear, as the Philistines imagined that all the army of Israel had got into the camp. "In the terrors sent by demons, ( or superior beings) even the sons of the gods flee away." (Pindar. Nem.) The earth quaked (Calmet) to increase the enemies' apprehensions, so that those who had gone out to plunder, hearing of the disaster, which report had greatly magnified, and all the people feeling this unusual and alarming motion of the earth,... read more

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