1 Samuel 14:15-52

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:1-15

We must here take notice, I. Of the goodness of God in restraining the Philistines, who had a vast army of valiant men in the field, from falling upon that little handful of timorous trembling people that Saul had with him, whom they would easily have swallowed up at once. It is an invisible power that sets bounds to the malice of the church's enemies, and suffers them not to do that which we should think there is nothing to hinder them from. II. Of the weakness of Saul, who seems here to have... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:16-23

We have here the prosecution and improvement of the wonderful advantages which Jonathan and his armour-bearer gained against the Philistines. I. The Philistines were, by the power of God, set against one another. They melted away like snow before the sun, and went on beating down one another (1 Sam. 14:16), for (1 Sam. 14:20) every man's sword was against his fellow. When they fled for fear, instead of turning back upon those that chased them, they reckoned those only their enemies that stood... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:24-35

We have here an account of the distress of the children of Israel, even in the day of their triumphs. Such alloys are all present joys subject to. And such obstructions does many a good cause meet with, even when it seems most prosperous, through the mismanagement of instruments. I. Saul forbade the people, under the penalty of a curse, to taste any food that day, 1 Sam. 14:24. Here we will suppose, 1. That as king he had power to put his soldiers under this interdict, and to bind it on with a... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:36-46

Here is, I. Saul's boasting against the Philistines. He proposed, as soon as his soldiers had got their suppers, to pursue them all night, and not leave a man of them, 1 Sam. 14:36. Here he showed much zeal, but little discretion; for his army, thus fatigued, could as ill spare a night's sleep as a meal's meat. But it is common for rash and foolish men to consider nobody but themselves, and, so that they might but have their humour, not to care what hardships they put upon those that are under... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:47-52

Here is a general account of Saul's court and camp. 1. Of his court and family, the names of his sons and daughters (1 Sam. 14:49), and of his wife and his cousin-german that was general of his army, 1 Sam. 14:50. There is mention of another wife of Saul's (2 Sam. 21:8), Rizpah, a secondary wife, and of the children he had by her. 2. Of his camp and military actions. (1.) How he levied his army: When he saw any strong valiant man, that was remarkably fit for service, he took him unto him (1... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:15

And there was trembling in the host in the field ,.... Belonging to Michmash, where the army lay encamped: and among all the people ; the inhabitants of Michmash, or that attended the army, and furnished them with provisions, trafficking with them; the common people, as distinguished from the soldiers: the garrison ; those that were in it, who did not sally out, but perceiving a great slaughter made of their outer scouts, were seized with a panic: and the spoilers they also... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:16

And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked ,.... The city of Gibeah was built on an hill, from where it had its name; and these watchmen or sentinels of Saul were set by him no doubt in the highest part of it, whereby they could overlook the army of the Philistines as they lay encamped, and could observe their motions, and give notice accordingly; and it being now broad day light, could see the condition they were in: and, behold, the multitude melted away ; like snow... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:17

Then said Saul unto the people that were with him ,.... To some of the officers, particularly the muster master: number now, and see who is gone from us : for he concluded that this agitation and confusion in the host of the Philistines were occasioned by an enterprise of some of his men, who by some stratagem or another had thrown them into this disorder: and when they had numbered : which was soon done, being but six hundred men in all: behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:18

And Saul said unto Ahiah, bring hither the ark of the Lord ,.... That he, the high priest, might put on the ephod, with the Urim and Thummim, and inquire by them of the Lord before it, concerning the affair of Jonathan, what he had done, and the agitation that was in the host of the Philistines; so the Septuagint version, "bring the ephod", of which, with the Urim and Thummim, Kimchi interprets it; and ask, whether it was right for him to go out unto them, or continue where he was: for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:19

And it came to pass, while Saul talked with the priest ,.... With Ahiah about bringing the ark, and inquiring before it: that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on, and increased ; the shrieks and cries of those that were beat down and trampled upon, and were bruised and wounded; and indeed the cry of the whole host, being alarmed with the enemy being upon them, or among them; and it seems that not only their motions could be seen, but the noise of them heard at this... read more

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