1 Samuel 14:5,1 Samuel 14:31

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 14:5

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

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 14:5

Was situate, etc. The word thus translated is that rendered pillar in 1 Samuel 2:8 , and the verse should possibly be translated, "And the one tooth (or crag) was a rocky mass on the north over against Michmash, and the other was on the south over against Geba" (not Gibeah, as the A.V.; see 1 Samuel 13:16 ). But the word is omitted in the versions, and may be an interpolation. 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 14:5

was situate. Hebrew. mazuk, only here, and 1 Samuel 2:8 the sharp crag, or pillar of 1 Samuel 14:4 . Michmash . Nine miles from Jerusalem. Gibeah = - Geba. 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

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:1-23

CHAPTER XIX.JONATHAN’S EXPLOIT AT MICHMASH.1 Samuel 14:1-23.IT has sometimes been objected to the representation occurring at the end of the thirteenth chapter of the utter want of arms among the Hebrews at this time that it is inconsistent with the narrative of the eleventh. If it be true, as stated there, that the Israelites gained a great victory over the Ammonites, they must have had arms to accomplish that; and, moreover, the victory itself must have put them in possession of the arms of... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Samuel 14:1-52

7. Jonathan’s Heroic Deed of Faith CHAPTER 14 1. Jonathan’s victory (1 Samuel 14:1-23 ) 2. Saul’s adjuration and Jonathan’s deed (1 Samuel 14:24-32 ) 3. Saul’s first altar and unanswered inquiry (1 Samuel 14:33-37 ) 4. Jonathan condemned and saved (1 Samuel 14:38-45 ) 5. Saul’s battle and success (1 Samuel 14:46-48 ) 6. Saul’s family (1 Samuel 14:49-52 ) Jonathan, one of the most beautiful characters of the Bible, with a kindred spirit, his armour bearer, goes forward to attack... read more

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