1 Samuel 14

4. Bozez (shining) . . . Seneh (thorny).

10 a sign. Rather, “the sign,” as R.V. If the Philistines said, “Stand where you are,” it would show that they were on their guard and wanted to gain time. If, on the other hand, they said “Come up!” it would show that they did not realise their danger.

14 a yoke of oxen. The R.V. reads “half a furrow’s length in an acre of land.”

18. Bring hither the Ark of God. The Sept. has, “Bring hither the ephod: for on that day he wore the ephod before Israel”: see ver. 3; xxiii. 9; xxx. 7. It is not probable that the Ark had been brought hither from Kirjath-jearim. The words of Uriah, in 2 Sam. xi. 11, seem to intimate that the Ark was on a later occasion with the army.

24 for Saul, etc. Rather, “and Saul adjured.” The people were “distressed” by fatigue and hunger, and, seeing this, the king exacted this vow, lest their distress should lead them to halt in the pursuit.

adjured. “Caused the people to swear,” probably by saying “amen” to his vow. This shows the recklessness of Saul’s character. As formerly, by rashly sacrificing, he incurred the displeasure of God, so now, by a rash vow, he excites the anger of the people. His order was as unwise as it was severe; for, if time was saved, strength for the pursuit was lost.

26 behold, the honey dropped. Rather, as R.V. marg., “behold, a stream of honey.” In many countries wild bees form their combs in the hollow trunks, and between or among the branches of trees, so that the honey often drops on the ground.

27 his eyes were enlightened. That is, he was refreshed.

28. And the people were faint. Rather, “are faint”—words of the speaker, not of the historian.

31. Aijalon. See Josh. x. 12. Aijalon was nearly twenty miles west of Michmash, on the way to the Philistines’ own cities.

36. Then said the priest. Ahijah evidently doubted the propriety of Saul’s conduct, and sought to check his self-sufficiency and haste.

39 he shall surely die. Another instance of Saul’s precipitancy. It was not yet known what the crime was, or whether, if it really deserved death, it might not be expiated by a sin offering.

41. Give a perfect lot. Rather, “Show the truth”: see R.V.

47. So Saul took the kingdom. This victory over the Philistines established Saul’s kingdom, and enabled him to prosecute other wars. The Ammonite war has already been related in xi.; the Amalekite war (48) follows in xv.

49 the sons of Saul. These were not all of Saul’s sons: see 1 Chron. viii. 33. Ishui may have died young, and Abinadab and Ishbosheth were probably younger.

51. And Kish, etc. Some copies read, “Kish . . . and Ner . . . were sons of Abiel.”