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Matthew Henry

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:4

And between the passages by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison ,.... One of which is called the passage of Michmash, 1 Samuel 13:23 and was that by which they went from Gibeah to Michmash; the other, which might be called the passage of Gibeah, was that by which they went from Michmash to Gibeah, and in effect was but one; and this was seized by the garrison of the Philistines, on that part of it which was towards Michmash; so that there was no way of access to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:5

The forefront of the one was situate northward, over against Michmash ,.... The northern precipice of this rock was towards Michmash, where the Philistines lay encamped, and where was the passage of Michmash the garrison went into and possessed: and the other southward, over against Gibeah ; the southern precipice faced Gibeah, and both precipices were to be got over before he could get to the garrison, these lying between the two passages; the one at one end, called the passage of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:6

And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour ,.... A second time, as Abarbinel thinks; the young man giving no answer to him the first time, perhaps through fear, he repeats it, and enlarges upon it for his encouragement: come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised ; as these Philistines were, whereas several of the other nations, though Heathen, were circumcised; as the Edomites, Arabians, and others; and this Jonathan observes to the young man, in hope... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:7

And his armourbearer said unto him ,.... Very readily and cheerfully: do all that is in thine heart ; whatever is thy pleasure, that thou hast a mind to do, that is upon thy heart, and thou art desirous of, and strongly inclined and affected to: turn thee ; which way thou wilt, towards the garrison of the Philistines, or elsewhere: behold, I am with thee, according to thy heart ; I will go with thee wherever thou goest, and do whatsoever thou wouldest have me to do; I am at thy... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:8

Then said Jonathan, behold, we will pass over to these men ,.... Over the precipices to them, as steep and as cragged as they are: and we will discover ourselves to them ; present themselves to them at daylight, and let them know plainly who they were, that they were Hebrews. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:9

If they say thus unto us ,.... By this and what follows he gives his man a sign by which both might know how they should conduct themselves in this expedition, and what would be the issue, whether they should succeed or not: should they say, tarry until we come to you ; this, as it would express boldness in the men of the garrison, and show that they were ready to come out and fight, would portend evil, and then what they had to do was to be upon the defensive: then we will stand... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:10

But if they say unto us, come up unto us ,.... Which however spoken in contempt of them, yet would discover some fear, that they did not care to come out of their hold to them, and expose themselves to any danger; and besides being bid to come up, though it might be in a sneering ironical way, as supposing it impracticable for them; yet this would lead them on to make the attempt; and while the men were careless and secure, they might obtain their point: then we will go up : the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:11

And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines ,.... They passed over the valley that lay between Michmash and Gibeah, and presented themselves at the bottom of the hill or rock on which the garrison was, to the open view of it; and who might easily discern who they were, that they were Hebrews, as they did, as follows: and the Philistines said, behold, the Hebrews came forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves , being in want of provisions, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:12

And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer ,.... The guards that were set to watch the garrison, who descrying them, called to them, and said: come up to us, and we will show you a thing ; we have something to say to you, a pretty thing to show you, when you shall pay dear for your boldness and impudence, in daring to come so near; not imagining that they could come, or would dare to attempt to come any further: and Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, come up... read more

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