1 Samuel 14:23

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 14:23

So the Lord saved Israel that day , &c.; And a wonderful salvation it was, that two men should throw such a vast army into confusion, which issued in the utter rout and destruction of them; this only could be of the Lord, to whom it is justly ascribed, and was the effect of his sovereign good will and pleasure, and of his unmerited goodness; a free favour bestowed on an undeserving prince, who had behaved ill to his prophet at Gilgal, and now to him and his high priest at Gibeah: and... 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 14:23

Over unto Beth-aven. Hebrew, "the battle passed Beth-aven," i.e. no rally was made there. In 1 Samuel 14:31 we read that the pursuit continued as far as Aijalon. For Beth-aven see on 1 Samuel 13:5 . SAUL 'S RASH COMMAND (verses 24-35). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 14:23

1 Samuel 14:23. The Lord saved Israel that day Their deliverance was evidently effected by him, and that by means very extraordinary, and such as could have produced no such effect without his almighty power working thereby. The battle passed over unto Beth-aven That is, the warriors that were engaged in the battle, and were pursuing the Philistines. 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 14:23

the LORD (Jehovah) saved : according to Jonathan's faith. unto. Some codices, with Aramaean and Vulgate, read "as far as". Beth-aven. The Septuagint adds: "and all the people with Saul were about 10,000 men: and the battle extended itself to every city in the mount Ephraim. And Saul committed a great trespass of ignorance on that day. " read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 14:23

23. So the Lord saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Beth-aven—that is, "Beth-el." It passed over the forest, now destroyed, on the central ridge of Palestine, then over to the other side from the eastern pass of Michmash ( :-), to the western pass of Aijalon, through which they escaped into their own plains. 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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 14:16-23

2. Saul’s struggle against the Philistines 13:16-14:23As a result of Saul’s disobedience he began to struggle, whereas his son Jonathan, who sought to follow the Lord faithfully, became increasingly successful. read more

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