1 Samuel 14:17 NIV

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 14:17

Number now - Saul perceived that the Philistines were routed, but could not tell by what means; supposing that it must be by some of his own troops, he called a muster to see who and how many were absent. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:13-23

God's faithfulness to his own. The facts are— 1 . Jonathan and his servant ascend the precipice and slay, on a narrow strip of land, about twenty men. 2 . A panic arising, from a combination of causes, the commotion attracts the attention of Saul's sentinels. 3 . It being ascertained that Jonathan was engaged against the Philistines, inquiry is sought of God, by Saul, through the priest Ahiah. 4 . The tumult among the Philistines increasing, Saul abruptly stops the inquiry... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:17-18

Number now. On hearing from the watchmen that fighting was seen on the other side of the ravine, Saul commands the roll to be called, that he may learn who has made the attack, and finds only his son and the armour bearer missing. Uncertain what their absence might mean, he said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. The Syriac, Vulgate, and Chaldee support this reading, but the Septuagint has ephod, and there can be no doubt that this is the right reading; for the verb rendered. ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 14:16-17

1 Samuel 14:16-17. Behold the multitude melted away Were discomfited and scattered; so that fewer and fewer were seen in a company together. They went on beating down one another Not being able in this confusion to distinguish their friends from their enemies. Then said Saul, Number now, &c. Saul, upon the report of the watchmen concerning the seeming confusion in the army of the Philistines, concluded that some of his people had gone out unknown, and attacked them. He therefore... 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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 14:17

1 Samuel 14:17. Then said Saul—number now, &c.— Though, Saul must easily have missed Jonathan, he could not suppose that he would fall upon the Philistines without a number of resolute persons to assist him. But when he found that his armour-bearer alone attended him, desirous to enquire into the reason of the matter, he consults with the high-priest, (1 Samuel 14:18.) ordering him to bring the ark of God (or, rather as the LXX have it, the ephod, which appears to be the true reading; see... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 14:17

17-19. Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us—The idea occurred to him that it might be some daring adventurer belonging to his own little troop, and it would be easy to discover him. 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