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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:24-35

We have here an account of the distress of the children of Israel, even in the day of their triumphs. Such alloys are all present joys subject to. And such obstructions does many a good cause meet with, even when it seems most prosperous, through the mismanagement of instruments. I. Saul forbade the people, under the penalty of a curse, to taste any food that day, 1 Sam. 14:24. Here we will suppose, 1. That as king he had power to put his soldiers under this interdict, and to bind it on with a... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:36-46

Here is, I. Saul's boasting against the Philistines. He proposed, as soon as his soldiers had got their suppers, to pursue them all night, and not leave a man of them, 1 Sam. 14:36. Here he showed much zeal, but little discretion; for his army, thus fatigued, could as ill spare a night's sleep as a meal's meat. But it is common for rash and foolish men to consider nobody but themselves, and, so that they might but have their humour, not to care what hardships they put upon those that are under... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:47-52

Here is a general account of Saul's court and camp. 1. Of his court and family, the names of his sons and daughters (1 Sam. 14:49), and of his wife and his cousin-german that was general of his army, 1 Sam. 14:50. There is mention of another wife of Saul's (2 Sam. 21:8), Rizpah, a secondary wife, and of the children he had by her. 2. Of his camp and military actions. (1.) How he levied his army: When he saw any strong valiant man, that was remarkably fit for service, he took him unto him (1... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:31

And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon ,.... Michmash was the place where the camp of the Philistines was when Jonathan first attacked them, and from whence they fled, and they were pursued by the Israelites that day as far as Aijalon. There was a city of this name in the tribe of Dan, famous for the moon standing still in a valley adjoining to it, in the time of Joshua, Joshua 10:12 and another in the tribe of Zebulun, Judges 12:12 , but they both seem to be at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:32

And the people flew upon the spoil ,.... Like a swift and ravenous bird, as the eagle, and which seems to have its name in Greek from this word, see Isaiah 46:11 . When the evening was come, and they were free from the oath of Saul, and being extremely hungry, faint, and weary, they were even ravenous for food and with the greatest haste and eagerness laid hold on what came first to hand: and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground ; and there they lay in their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:33

Then they told Saul ,.... Some that were more conscientious and religious, were more circumspect, and strictly attended to the laws forbidding the eating of blood, and were concerned at the indecent behaviour of others, and therefore thought fit to acquaint Saul with it, to restrain it: behold, the people sin against the Lord, in that they eat with the blood ; by breaking the laws of God respecting the eating of blood in Genesis 9:4 , especially in Leviticus 19:26 . and he said,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:34

And Saul said, disperse yourselves among the people ,.... In the camp, some one way, and some another, and make proclamation throughout it; this he said to some of his officers, whom he sent out as heralds, to publish his will and pleasure: and say unto them, bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here ; on the great stone he had ordered to roll to the place where he was: and eat them ; in the same place, being rightly slain, and the blood let out;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:35

And Saul built an altar unto the Lord ,.... To offer peace offerings upon, in thankfulness for the victory obtained over his enemies, or sin offerings to make atonement for the sin of the people, perhaps both, however the former: the same was the first altar that he built unto the Lord ; for though he had offered sacrifice at Gilgal, there was an altar ready built for him: or "he began to build"; he laid the first stone of it, and the builders built upon it; so some others say, that he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:36

And Saul said ,.... To his son Jonathan, or to some of the principal officers of his army: let us go down after the Philistines by night ; or tonight, that same night; which is another hardship he laid his troops under; as he had restrained them from eating all that day until evening, now he proposed they shall take no sleep that night, but proceed on in their pursuit of the Philistines, having eaten, and drank, and refreshed themselves. The Arabic version is, "let us go down to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:37

And Saul asked counsel of God ,.... He agreed to the motion of the high priest, and asked counsel by Urim and Thummim; the Targum is, as before,"inquired by the Word of the Lord:" shall I go down after the Philistines ? pursue after them in their flight to their own country, which, lying to the sea, was a descent: wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel ? what remain of them, otherwise a victory over them was obtained: but he answered him not that day ; no answer was... read more

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