1 Samuel 14

Jonathan with his Armour-bearer smite twenty men in the Philistines army, verse I, &c. Whereat the whole camp is dismayed, 15. Saul perceiving his, pursueth them, but the Philistines slay one another, 20. The Israelites that were with the Philistines, adjoyned themselves to saul, 21. As also all the Israelites that had hid themselves on the mount, 22. Saul adjureth the people, that no man should eat anything before evening, 24. So that no man durst eat of the flowing honey, 25. Jonathan eateth a little honey, and is thereby revived, 27. The people being hungry, eat the flesh with the blood, 32. which Saul forbiddeth them, 34. He buildeth an altar, 35. He pursueth his enemies, 36. Saul enquireth of the Lord, but obtaineth no answer, 37. Saul causeth the Lot to be cast, to know who had transgressed, 40. The Lot hitteth Jonathan, 43. Saul will put him o death, but he is hindered by the people, 44. Sauls wars, sons, daughters, wife, Generation, father, &c. 47.

1. Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his Armour, Come, and let us go over unto the Garison of the Philistines, which is on the other side: but he told it not to his Father. [Perhaps because he feared his father would not have consented hereunto.]

2. Now Saul sat [i.e Hadd pitched his tent] in the uttermost (part) of Gibea under the pome granate-tree; that was at Migron: [Of Migron is likewise spoken, Isa.10.28. It’s a portion of Land lying on the one side of the strait toward Gibea; here Saul with his six hundred men lay in the caves, watching to see what the Philistines would do, below vers.11.] and the people that were with him, they were about six hundred men.

3. And Ahia the son of Achitub, the brother of Icabod, [See above chap.4.21.] the son of Pinehas, the son of Eli, was the LORDS Priests at Silo, [Or, pertained to the Lords Priests at Silo] wearing [Or, wore] the Ephod: [Understand withal likewise the brest-plate, and the Urim and Thummim, which the high Priset put on, when he asked counsel of the Lord] but the people knew not that Jonathan was gone away, [yea, neither did Saul nor the Priest know it.]

4. Now between the passages where Jonathan sought to go over unto the garrison of the Philistines, there was a sharpness [Heb. Tooth, and so in the following words] of a rock on this side, and a sharpness of a rock on the other side: [So that the way lay between two rocks] and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other [Heb. Of the one] Sene.

5. The one tooth lay toward the north, over against Michmas: and the other toward the south, over against Giba.

6. Now Jonathan said to the young man, that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised, [As is he should say, These Philistines are strangers from the covenant of God, and therefore have full in his eyes: but we are circumcised, and bear the token of Gods covenant in our bodies] it may be [Jonathan speaketh thus, because he had no promise of victory from God] the LORD will work for us: [Or, do (somewhat) for us] for there is no hinderance with the LORD to deliver by many, or by few. [See an example hereof, Judg.7.7. and 2 Chron.14. See also Joshua 14:12.]

7. Then his armour-bearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart, [i.e. all that seemeth good unto thee] turn thee, behold, I am with thee, according to thine heart. [i.e. so as it pleaseth thee, or seemeth good unto thee.]

8. Now Jonathan said, behold, we will passé over unto these men, and we will discover our selves unto them. [i.e. we will let our selves be seen of them, or, shew our selves to them.]

9. If they say to us thus, [See the like, Genes.24.14.] Stand still, [Heb. Be silent. See Joshua 10:12,13.] till we come to you, then we will tarry in our place, and not go up unto them.

10. But (if) they say thus, Come up to us, then we will go up, for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a token to us. [Compare Genes.24.14. with the annotate.]

11. When they both discovered themselves into the garrison of the Philistines: then the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews are gone forth out of the holes, where they had hid themselves.

12. Moreover the men of the garrison answered, [i.e. said, or spake; for there goeth no question before] Jonathan, and his armour-beared, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew it you. [As if they had said thus, we will teach you, and make you feel it, what it is for a man to jeopardy himself rashly] And Jonathan said unto his armour-bearer, Come up after me, for the LORD hath delivered them unto the hand of Israel.

13. Then Jonathan climbed upon his hand, and upon his feet, and his armour bearer after him: and they [viz. His enemies, whom he slew] fell before Jonathans face, and his armour-bearer [viz. Having now gotten a sword, and arms of one of them that were slain: for before onely Saul and Jonathan had swords, as appeareth chap.13.22.] slew them after him,

14. Now this first slaughter, wherewith Jonathan and his armour-bearer slew about twenty men, was made within about half an acre, being a yoke of Oxen going under the yoke are able to plow in one day. By these words is intimated, that this slaughter was made i a small plat or compasse of ground, so that Jonathan might easily have been surrounded and set upon his enemies, had not God wonderfully assisted him.]

15. And there was a trembling in the camp, [viz. In the camp of the Philistines] on the field, and among all the people: the garrison and the spoilers [viz. Those Souldiers that were gone forth to spoil and destroy the Land, whereof mention is made chap.13.17.] themselves also trembled; yea the Land was troubled, for it was a trembling of God. [See the annotate. on Gen.30.8. Intimating that it was a terrour, that God sent upon them: or a trembling of God; i.e. a very great trembling.]

16. Now when the watchmen of Saul at Gibea of Benjamin saw, that; behold the multitude [viz. Of the Philistines] melted away, and went on, and were beaten:

17. Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see, who is gone away from us: and they numbered, and behold, Jonathan and his armour-bearer were not there.

18. Then said Saul unto Ahia, [See above vers.3.] Bring hither the ark of God, [viz. To inquire of God by the Ark, whether I shall pursue the Philistines] (for the Ark of God was on that day with the Children of Israel) [viz. In the camp, whereas it was at other times, (as it’s thought) at Silo]

19. And it came to passé while Saul yet talked unto the Priest, that the noise, that was in the Philistines camp, greatly increased, and multiplied: [Heb. Going went, and multiplied] then Saul said unto the Priest, Put in thine hand. [i.e. Let that alone, which I commanded thee ere-while concerning the Ark. Saul would not tarry so long, till he received answer from God.]

20. Now Saul, and all the people that were with him, were called together, and they came to battle: and behold, the sword of the one was against the other, [Heb. The sword of the man against his neighbour: i.e. the Philistines slew one another. See the like example, Judg.7.22. and 2 Chron.20.23.] there was a very great noise.

21. There were also Hebrews with the Philistines, [viz. That ministered to them as servants, or, were run away from their colours to them, who upon this occasion joined themselves to the Israelites] as formerly, [Heb. As yesterday ere-yesterday] which went up with them into the camp round about: now these also joined themselves with the Israelites, [Heb. They (were) to be with Israel] that were with Saul and Jonathan.

22. When all the men of Israel, that had hid themselves [See above chap.13. vers.6.] in mount Ephraim, heard that the Philistines fled, then they also clave unto them behinde in the battle. [i.e. they likewise helped to pursue and slay the Philistines.]

23. So the LORD delivered Israel that day: and the camp [Heb. The war, or, battle; i.e. the men of war, or Souldiers; understand it of the men of war, that pursued the Philistines] marched over unto Bethaven. [Lying far from Michmas, as appeareth above chap.13. not5.]

24. And the men of Israel were tired [Or, distressed, pressed, oppressed, viz. by the famine, as followeth] that day. For Saul had adjured the people, [Saul forbade the people to eat, that he might the speedie pursue and vanquish his enemies, fearing they might escape his hands, if the people should give themselves to eating; but he useth ill means to accomplish his design] saying, cursed [and consequently worthy to lose his life. See vers.39.] be the man, that eateth meat [Heb. Bread, so in the following words here, it appeareth, that bread is taken for all manner of food, for even honey is comprehended under that name; so also below vers.28. and Genes.43.31.] until evening, that I may avenge me on mine enemies: therefore all that people tasted no food.

25. And all the land [i.e. All the people, of the land; so also above vers.15. and below vers.29. and Genes.41.57.] came into a wood: and there was honey in the field.

26. When the people came into the wood, behold, there was a honey-flood: but no man touched his mouth with his hand, [viz. After that he had dipt it into the honey, to put thereof into his mouth, and to eat; that is, no man did eat thereof] for the people feared the adjuration.

27. But Jonathan had not heard it, [For he had not been in the camp after that he had smitten the Philistines] when his father had adjured the people, and he put forth the end of his staff that was in his hand, and he dipt the same in an honey-comb: now when he turned his hand to his mouth, [Understand withal, after that he had eaten of the honey, which might be perceived by his eyes] then his eyes were enlightened. [or, then his eyes saw, viz. clearly; i.e. he got as it were new strength and vigour.]

28. Then answered [i.e. spake, or, said] one of the people, and said, Thy father hath straitly adjured [Heb. adjuring adjured] the people, saying, cursed be the man, that eateth bread this day: [viz. until evening, as vers.24. for among the Hebrews the day endeth at Sun-setting] therefore the people fainteth. [Or, is wearied, or, weary.]

29. Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: [i.e. the inhabitants of the Land, or, the Souldiers that are in the camp] see, I pray, how mine eyes are enlightened, because I have tasted a little of this honey.

30. How much more; [viz. would the people have been strong and lusty to pursue the enemie, if, &c.] if the people to day might have freely eaten [Heb. eating eaten] of the prey [viz. of the cattel, and other provision of food] of their enemies, which they found? but now that defeat of the Philistines was not great.

31. Yet they smote the Philistines that day from Michmas to Ajalon. [there was an Ajolan in the tribe of Dan, Jos.19.42. given to the Priests, Joshua 21:24. and I Chro.6.69. But here mention is made of another in the tribe of Juda. Rehabean strengthened or fenced the same, and i is accounted among the strongest or best fenced Cities of the Kingdom of Juda, 2 Chron.11.10.] and the people was very weary.

32. Then the people got to them to the prey, [Oth.. the people turned themselves to the prey] and they took sheep, and oxen, and calves, [Heb. the sons of oxen] and they slew them to the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood. [viz. before the blood was quite severed from the flesh. This the people did by reason of the great hunger they sustained, being not able to tarry till the beasts had left bleeding. See Levit.3.17. and 17.10. Deut.12.16. and 23.]

33. And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, eating with the blood: and he said, ye have dealt treacherously, [viz. against God] roll a great stone [viz. to slay the beasts thereon, that the blood may the sooner and in greater quantity run or issue out of them. Some conceive that the Altar, whereof mention is made vers.35. was made of that great stone] unto me this day. [i.e. forth with, before it grow late.]

34. Moreover, Saul spake, Disperse your selves among the people, and say unto them, Bring unto me every man his Ox, and every man his Sheep, and slay them here, and eat, and sin not against the LORD, eating them with the blood: then all the people brought every man his Ox with his hand, by night, and slew then there.

35. Then Saul built an Altar unto the LORD; that was the first Altar, which he buil unto the LORD. [heb. he began to build that Altar unto the Lord.]

36. Afterwards Saul said, Lt us go down after the Philistines by night, and let us rob them until it grow morning light, and let us leave a man of them: they now said, Do all that is god in thine eyes. But the Priest said, Let us draw neer hither unto God, [i.e. unto the Ark of God; viz. to inquire of him, whether it be his will, that we should do this.]

37. Then Saul enquired of God, [viz. by the high Priest] Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day. [This was a token that God was displeased with him: see the like example, I Sam.28.6. The Lord was angry, not with Jonathan, but with Saul, because he had made such a foolish and imprudent oath, and had charged the people therewith.]

38. Then said Saul, Come hither (out of) all the corners of the people: [See Judg.20. on vers.2.] and enquire, [Oth. know, acknowledge] and see wherein this sin hath been acted this day.

39. For (as true as) the LORD liveth, who delivereth Israel, though it were in my son Jonathan, he shall die the death: [Heb. he shall dying die,] and not a man among all the people answered him.

40. Moreover, he said unto all Israel, Ye shall be on the one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side: Then said the people unto Saul, Do that which is good in thine eyes.

41. Now Saul spake unto the LORD the God of Israel, Show the guiltless (person:) [Heb. give the perfect, or, upright one. Oth. Give an upright (lot,)] then Jonathan and Saul were hit, and the people escaped. [Heb. To be hit by the lot, and to escaped. [Heb. To be hit by the lot, and to escape or go scotfree are here opposed to each other.]

42. Then said Saul, Cast (the lot) between me, and between my son Jonathan: then Jonathan was hit. [Saul prayeth, vers 47. Shew the guilt (person;) he would say, the guilty (person:) but God sheweth here him, which indeed and in truth was innocent, or guiltless, as Sauls words do import.]

43. Then said Saul unto Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done: then Jonathan told him, and said, I tasted but [Heb. tasting tasted, &c.] a little honey with the uttermost part of the staff, which I had in mine hand, behold, (here) I am, must I die?

44. And Saul said, God do so to (me) and let him so add thereto, [Of this manner of swearing, see Ruth.1.17. In that Saul here and elsewhere so often sweareth, it appeareth plainly, that he was bent and accustomed to cursing and swearing,] Jonathan thou must die the death.

45. But the people said unto Saul, Should Jonathan die; that hath done this great deliverance in Israel? farre be it, (as true as) the LORD liveth, if there shall fall one hair of his head to the ground: [Understand withal, then let God punish us, or, somewhat the like. It is an abrupt king of oath in use among the Hebrews, and see further hereof, 2 Sam.14. on vers.11.] for he hath done (this) with God [i.e. by the Help and guidance of God; see above vers.6.] this day: Thus the people delivered Jonathan, that he died not:

46. Now Saul went up from after the Philistines, [i.e. he ceased from pursuing the Philistines, partly because the night was past, partly because God had not answered him, vers.37.] and the Philistines went to their place.

47. Then Saul took the Kingdom over Israel, and be fought against all his enemies round about, against Moab, [i.e. the Moabites] and against the Children of Ammon, and against Edom, [i.e. the Edomites] and against the Kings of Zeba, [Their Land lay from Batane unto the River Euphrates. See further on 2 Sam.10. vers.6.] and against the Philistines, and whither so-ever he turned himself, he exercised punishment. [i.e. God used him as an instrument to punish the enemies of his Church. Oth. he made it ill, or, he did hurt, he troubled them, he plagued them, viz. in hurting, or, indamaging the enemies]

48. And he dealt valiantly, [Oth. he made, or, gathered an host] and he smote the Amalekites; [Of this is spoken more at large below chap.15.] and he delivered Israel out of the hand of him that spoiled him.

49. Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Isai, [He is also called abinadah, below chap.31.2. likewise I Chron.8.33. and 10.2.] and Malchi-Sua, and the names of his two Daughters were (these,) the name of the first-born was Merab, and the name of the least [Or, youngest] Michal.

50. And the name of Sauls wife was Ahinoam, a Daughter of Ahinaaz; and the name of his Captain General was Abiner, [Oth. Abner] a son of Ner, Sauls Uncle.

51. And Kis was Sauls father, and Ner Abners father, was a son of Abiel. [He is called Ner, I Chron.8.33. see above chap.9.1.]

52. And there was a strong war against the Philistines all the dayes of Saul: wherefore all Champions and all valiant men [Heb. every son of valour, or, strength] that Saul saw, them he gathered unto him.