Verse 3
3. The garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba Geba was situated between Gibeah and Michmash, about three miles from the former place and two from the latter. It was a city of Benjamin (Joshua 18:24) assigned to the priests. Joshua 21:17. The English version confounds it in 1 Samuel 13:16 with Gibeah. Its name still lingers in the modern Jeba, a small, half-ruined village on an eminence which commands an extensive view of the Dead Sea and the mountains beyond. “Across the deep ravine on the north,” says Robinson, “we could see the next village on our route, the ancient Michmash, lying directly over against Jeba in a direction about northeast.” Here, as on the heights of Gibeah, (1 Samuel 10:5,) the Philistines had intrenched themselves; though, this may have been the same garrison that is there mentioned, but which had in the meantime, while Israel was at war for the rescue of Jabesh-gilead, advanced as far as Geba. Jonathan probably took this garrison by surprise, as he and his armourbearer did the one mentioned in the following chapter.
The Philistines heard And regarded it as an indication of hostile action on the part of the Israelites.
Saul blew the trumpet Ordered it to be blown. The sound of the trumpet was the usual accompaniment of important proclamations, designed as a signal to arouse the attention of the people. Compare 2 Samuel 15:10; 2Sa 20:1 ; 1 Kings 1:34; 2 Kings 9:13.
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