1 Samuel 14:11 NIV

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 14:11

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:1-12

Inspiration in Christian enterprise The facts are— 1 . Jonathan, on his own responsibility, and without his father's knowledge: resolves on an attack upon the Philistine garrison. 2 . He expresses to his armour bearer his hope that God will help, and also the ground of that hope. 3 . He proposes to regard the first encouragement from the enemy to ascend the cliff as a sign of coming success. 4 . The sign appearing, Jonathan advances in confidence of victory. The recent... 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

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

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 14:11

the Hebrews . Compare 1 Samuel 14:21 . read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 14:11

11. Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes—As it could not occur to the sentries that two men had come with hostile designs, it was a natural conclusion that they were Israelite deserters. And hence no attempt was made to hinder their ascent, or stone them. 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