1 Samuel 14:4-12 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:9

Tarry . Hebrew, "be still," "stand still," the word used by Joshua of the sun ( Joshua 10:12 , Joshua 10:13 ); but not the word rendered stand still just below, where the Hebrew has, "We will stand under us," i.e. we will stop just where we were. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:10

A sign. The waiting of the garrison for Jonathan and his armour bearer to mount up to them would be a sign of great indifference and supineness on their part; but what he rather meant was that they were to regard it as an omen. Kim'hi has a long digression in his commentary on this place to show that there was nothing superstitous in their looking for a prognostic to encourage them in their hazardous undertaking. God, he says, bade Gideon go to the camp of the Midianites to obtain such a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:11

Both of them discovered themselves. They had crept up the precipice unseen, but at some convenient spot near the top they so placed themselves that the garrison must see them, and waited there till their presence was observed. Behold, the Hebrews. There is no article in the Hebrew. What the Philistines say is, See! Hebrews come out of the holes wherein they had hid themselves. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:12

Come up to us, and we will show you a thing. The Philistines thus give Jonathan the very omen he had desired. The last clause is a popular phrase, and expresses a sort of amused contempt for the two adventurers. Raillery of this sort is not at all uncommon between the outposts of two armies. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 14:4

(The southern cliff was called “Seneh,” or “the acacia,” and the same name still applies to the modern valley, dotted by acacias. The northern cliff was named “Bozez” or “Shining.” The valley runs nearly due east, and the northern cliff is of ruddy and tawny tint, crowned with gleaming white chalk, and in the full glare of the sun almost all the day. (Conder.)) read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 14:6

It is remarkable that the epithet “uncircumcised,” used as a term of reproach, is confined almost exclusively to the Philistines. (Compare 1 Samuel 17:26, 1 Samuel 17:36; Judges 14:3; Judges 15:18, etc.) This is probably an indication of the long oppression of the Israelites by the Philistines and of their frequent wars. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 14:10

Though it is not expressly said, as in the case of Gideon Judges 6:34, Othniel Judges 3:10, and others, that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, yet the whole course of the narrative, especially 1 Samuel 14:13-16, indicates an extraordinary divine interposition. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 14:12

We will show you a thing - Said mockingly. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 14:4

1 Samuel 14:4. Between the passages Two passages, both which Jonathan must cross, to go to the Philistines, and between which the following rocks lay; but the words may be rendered, in the middle of the passage; the plural number being put for the singular. There was a sharp rock Which is not to be understood, as if in this passage one rock was on the right hand, and the other on the left; for so he might have gone between both, and there was no need of climbing up to them. But the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 14:6

1 Samuel 14:6. The garrison of these uncircumcised So he calls them, to strengthen his faith by this consideration, that his enemies were enemies to God; whereas he was circumcised, and therefore in covenant with God, who was both able and engaged to assist his people. It may be He speaks doubtfully; for though he felt himself stirred up by God to this exploit, and was assured that God would deliver his people, yet he was not certain that he would do it at this time, and in this way. ... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:9

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:10

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:11

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 14:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 14:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 14:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 14:12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 14:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 14:6

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