1 Samuel 14

And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land of Israel, saying, Let the IlebreivsJiear. He gave them notice by a proclamation, what Jonathan had done, and what was the effect of it: and thereupon summoned them to come to.Gilgal. Vcr.4. And all Israel heard say, that Saul had smitten the garrison of the Philistines.] This shews that Jonathan acted by Saul’s order: who was desirous to free his own tribe from such intruders.. And that Israel also was an abomination with the Philistines.’] Who were, highly incensed to take revenge.. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.] Where Samuel had appointed to meet him, (x. 8.) tioncd in Scripture, which is not always called the ark of the covenant, but the ark of the Lord, or the ark of God, as it is called when it came into the camp of Israel, and was taken by the Philistines/ (chap. iv. vcr. 6. 11. 17, 18, &c.) Therefore here, I suppose, Saul commanded the ark itself to attend him; when he wanted the advice and assistance of Samuel.’ Vcr. 19/ And it came to pass, that while Saul talked with the priest.] Desiring him to inquire of God what was hecome of Jonathan and his armour-bearer; and what was the meaning of that tumult in the host of the Philistines. TJiat the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said to the priest, Withdraw thine hand.] He was going to take the wrim and thummim, as the forenamed authors understand it, when Saul, hearing the tumult grow greater and greater among the Philistines, bade him forbear: there being no need, for he concluded they were routed j and therefore resolved, without any further deliberation, to go and pursue them. Or, as others understand it, the priest having stretched forth his hand to God in prayer for his advice, Saul called upon him to desist: for it was plain what they had to do without any inquiry. SGG A COMMENTARY UPON [chap. seplius saith, that " by their prayers and vows to God they delivered him:" who, perhaps, signified by the priest, that he approved the people’s desire. They were too forward indeed to swear directly against Saul’s oath: but of the two, his being the most rash, God was pleased to annul it, and absolve him from it. Thus Josephus understands it, They rescued him from the anger of his father, ka\ ivx&c VTrlprov vmvtaKov irotoyvrai rt$ Gctf, wc rov avrbv airoXvaai’TOv ajuapT/ijuaroc, and made their prayer to God for the young man, that he ivoutd loose him from his sin. How that phrase, not a hair of his head, &c. was used, appears from 2 Sam. xiv. 11. 1 Kings i. 51.

1 Samuel 14:1

Jyi OWit came to pass upon a day, that Jonatha?i the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his ar-> maur, Come, and let its go over to the garrison of Uie Phi– listines that is on the other side.] Of the valley, mentioned in the foregoing verse.- This had been a very rash attempt, and very criminal (he having no order from his father, who commanded in’ chief), if he had. not had a Divine incitation to it. Which he felt upon the sight of the Philistines appearing, as if they intended to assault Gibeah; and upon the information he received of the great spoil which the three-parties made of the poor people in the country, (xiii. 17.) But he told not his father.] Lest he should have hindered him from this enterprise, into which he felt himself moved by God.

1 Samuel 14:2

And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah. In someintrenchmentshehad made without the city. Under a pomegranate-tree, which is in Migron.] Where he pitched his tent. „ And the people that were with him were about six hundred men.] His forces were not augmented since he eame-lo r &f«.V >m **J Gibeah, as might have been expected, (xiii. 15, 16.) But, as Vegetius observes, (lib. i. de Re Militari, cap. 8.) " in omni conflictu non tarn prodest multitudo, quam virtus:" in all conflicts valour doth more service than multitude.

1 Samuel 14:3

And Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod % s brother, the son of Phinehas. It seems Fhinehas (who was slain with Ilophni) left two sons; Ichabod, who was born after his death; and Ahitub, who was born before: and left a son, who is here called Ahijah, and in xxii. 9. Ahimelech; who left a son called Abiathar, xxiii. G. The son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh.] These last words, the LoriVs priest in Shiloh, manifestly belong to Eli; who was the high-priest while the tabernacle was in Shiloh. Wearirig an ephod.] Or rather, the ephod; which comprehends the breast-plate, with urim and thummim, (or they were inseparable from it. These Ahijah, being high-priest, now wore: for these words, as Italbag observes, belong to him. (See Selden, lib. i. de Success, ad Pontif. cap. 3.) Saul being now in great distress sent for Ahijah, to con^ suit God for him, as there should be occasion: and, as appears by the eighteenth verse of this chapter, had com-; manded him to bring the ark with him from Kirjath-jearim. And the people knew not tliat Jonatltan was gone.] This makes Josephus’s opinion probable, that he went away in the night: which was prudent upon another account; that ho might not be spied presently by the Philistines.

1 Samuel 14:4

And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines 9 garrison, there was a sharp rock on one side, and a sharp rock on the other. So that there was no way to come at the Philistines, but by climbing up one of these rocks, (ver. 12.) which were thought inaccessible: and therefore not fortified, as the other passages to Michmash were, with such strong guards as Jonathan could not encounter. The name of the one tvas Bozez, the name of the other Seneh.] Which were such famous precipices, that they had names bestowed on them: the original of which will not be worth our inquiry; but the latter seems to have taken its namo from the thorns that grew npon.it.

1 Samuel 14:5

The Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand of the sea-shore for multitude; and then came V P and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Beth-aven.] A prodigious army, and very formidable, by reason “of their chariots and horsemen, which were also very numerous, (see Josh. xi. 4.) But it is not likely the Philistines alone could bring so many into the field: no, nor after other nations thereabout were associated with them, it is credible that they should make up thirty Uiout sand chariots of war. For none ever had so many; Pharaoh himself pursuing the Israelites only with six hundred, (Exod. xiv. 7.) Therefore most of them were no more than carriages, which were necessary for the baggage of such vast multitudes of people: which is a better account, in my judgment, than to say there is a mistake made by transcribers in later times: as Bochartus himself thinks, (Hierozbicoh,” par. i. lib. ii. cap. 9.) because in the Syriac and Arabic copies there are only found three thousand. Which is too great a number, without the help of the foregoing exposition; for in the vast army of Mithridates there were but a hundred chariots, and in Darius’s two hundred, and in Antiochus Epiphanes’ (of which we read 2 Mace, xiii. 2.) but three hundred. Ver. G. Wlien the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were distressed). Though their wonderful success against the Ammonites had encouraged them to obey the summons of such a prosperous leader, as Saul had been; yet when they saw the vast army of the Philistines, how well they were appointed, and themselves unprovided, their hearts failed them, and they slunk from him as fast as they had flocked to him. Then the people did hide themselves in caves, aud in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.] One part of the people endeavoured to secure themselves in lurking places: where it was not easy to find them. The fore-front of the one was situate northward over agabtst Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.] By this we understand how these two placeslay, towards which these rocks pointed. Ver; G. And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, let tis go over to the garrison of the uncirewncised.] He speaks of them with contempt, as strangers to the covenant of God. It may be the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many orby few.] He speaks with some diffidence to his servant; but was inwardly persuaded of a certain victory, by the Divine assistance.

1 Samuel 14:7

And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Another part of them fled as far as they could from present danger, into the country of the two tribes and a half. AsforJSaul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.’] All that were left with him were in great fear, seeing so many of their brethren desert him. And his armour-bearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee.] Which way thou wilt. Behold, I am with* thee according to thy heart.] He resolved not to forsake his master in any undertaking, though ever so dangerous: being such a servant as Gideon had; (Judg. vii. 10.)

1 Samuel 14:8

And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel appointed. lie mistook Samuel’s meaning, (as I shewed upon x. 8.) who told him he would come and offer sacrifice seven days: and then adds, thou shalt tarry till I come. So two interpreters, who are ancient in respect of our times (Rupertus and Angclomus), have observed an amphibologia in Samuel’s words in that r>lace, which may be construed two ways; and it was Saul’s folly to make choice of the wrong sense. For the last words there are as much as if he had said, be sure to tarry till I come, andsheiv theewhat thou shalt do. And indeed common reason might have taught him, that if the war was to be undertaken, it was to be managed likewise by the counsel of the Lord: and therefore ho ought not to have sacrificed, or done any other solemn act, before the prophet, who was God’s ambassador in this business, came to instruct him. But Samuel came not to Gilgal.] So soon as Saul ex* pected him. And the people were scattered from him.] That third part of the people who were left began to go away, when they saw Samuel did not come to advise and assist him in this dangerous condition. Then said Jonathan, Behold, I will pass over to these men.] He resolves to lead the way. Andive will discover ourselves unto them.] At break of day.

1 Samuel 14:9

And Saul said. Bring hither the burnt-offering unto me, and peace-offerings. And he offered the burnt-offering. Atod would have proceeded to offer the peace-offerings, if Samuel’s coming had not prevented him. If they say thus unto us, Tarry until xve come Microsoft® CHAP. X1V.J THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. unto you; then we will stand still in our place, and wilt not ■go up imto them.

1 Samuel 14:10

And it came to pass, that, as soon as h% had made an end of offering the burnt-offering, behold, Samuel came; and. Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. Welcome him thither: which he did in honour of the prophet.. 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 sign unto us.] Which he could not have known without an instinct from God, who often suggested such thoughts unto good men: as we see in the example of. Abraham’s servant, Gen. xxiv. 14, &c. And there is something like this in the beginning of Herodotus’s fifth book concerning the Paeones, aud the Perinthians: where he saith, the Pueonians went to war by a Divine direction with the Perinthians; and were ordered, if the Perinthians, being opposed to them, provoked them by name to fight, then they should invade them; but if they did not, they should abstain from fighting. Now while they faced one another there happened a threefold single combat: and the Perinthians being victors in two of them, began to sing a song of triumph, and insult over the Poeonians; who thereupon said one to another, vvvav eitj q XPI"/"? tTriTtktafxivoc npZv, vvv tj/zIteoov to ipyov. Now is the oracle i fulfilled to us, now is our business: and so shouting, and falling upon the Perinthians, they vanquished them, and left few of them remaining.

1 Samuel 14:11

And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw the people were scattered from me, and that thou earnest not xvithin the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together to Michmash.] These looked like weighty reasons; but could not excuse his presumption in not waiting for Samuel, who assured him he would come thither. And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines.’] At the bottom of the rocks. And the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews comeforth cut of their holes where they had hid themselves.’] See xiii. 6. They imagined it was not courage, but necessity, which forced them to come within their view, as they sought for food.

1 Samuel 14:12

Therefore, said I, Tlie Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced my self therefore, and offered a burnt-offering. He pretends it was much against his inclination: but pleads necessity for what he did, least his enemies should have set upon him before he had commended himself to God and begged his blessing. By which it appears, that burnt-offerings were of the nature of a prayer to God: whom they acknowledged hereby to be the Lord of all. Whence it is that. we read so often of Abraham and Isaac, that they f* built altars (which were for sacrifice) and called upon the name of the Lord." The gentiles also, as well as the Jews, invoked God by their sacrifices, as Mr. Mede hath shewn from Homer and other authors, book ii. p. 464. And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armour-bearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing.] They mocked at them, thinking they durst not attempt to climb up to them. And’ Jonathan said to his armour-bearer, Come up after me; for the Lord hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.]: Now he gives him the same assurance which he had before in his own mind. *

1 Samuel 14:13

And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the^commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee. When God advanced Saul to be king, he was little in his own eyes, and then a great man in the sight of God. But now he began to take upon him, and thought it was fit the prophet should wait for the king rather than the king for the prophet: and dietrusted Samuel’s word, who bade him tarry till he came. And so intruded upon the priest’s office; or, at least, caused the priest to do that unseasonably which was reserved for Samuel to do, when God thought fit to send him: who had all along transacted all matters between God and Saul. In short, his folly and disobedience consisted in this, that he intrenched upon.the priest’s office, or upon the prophet’s, Vw Vf I CHAP. XIII.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. or upon both:. and would not wait Samuel’s coming, nor confess his fault toliim when he came; but made excuses, and laid. the fault upon all but himself, (ver. 11.) Abarbinel hath expounded this a little more distinctly, V>y observing the command which Samuel gave him, when he anointed him, x. 8. where he tells him, first, he would come and offer sacrifice; secondly, he bids him wait for him seven days; and, lastly, saith he would direct him what to do. Now Saul transgressed every part of this command: for he offered sacrifice himself, which God intended should be offered only by the prophet; and he did not stay till the end of the seventh day, but offered on the seventh day in the morning; and he intended to begin the war without any direction from Samuel w T hat he should do. He thinks, also, that those words, seven days (in that place), may refer to the words going before, viz. peace-offerings so many days. For Saul was bound, as it follows, to. tarry till Samuel came, though he stayed more than seven days, before he came. For now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever J] This suggests that the intention of Samuel’s coming to offer sacrifice at Gilgal for seven days, was to confirm Saul in the kingdom, (as I observed upon x. 8.) if he had not foolishly deprived himself of that blessing: but here the Hebrew doctors take notice of a difficulty, which is, how God could intend to establish the kingdom upon him for ever, without contradicting the prophecy of Jacob, who had promised the sceptre to the tribe of Judah. Which Ralbag thinks is sufficiently answered, by saying that for ever signifies no more than a long time; as it doth in the words of Hannah in the beginning of this book, chap. i. 22. and in Exod. xxi. 9. and many more places. And so others interpret these words, as long as his posterity lasted. And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and his feet, and his armour-bearer after him.] Not in the view of the Philistines, but by some difficult way, which none was ever known to go: and so, perhaps, they came behind them and surprised them. And they fell before Jonathan; and his armour-bearer slew after him.] The first onset was made by Jonathan (as he led the way up the precipice), who rushed upon them with such a fury, that ho threw them down to the ground, and then his armour-bearer killed them. So some understand this: which was a more wonderful action than that of Ho- -ratius Cochlites (as Victorinus Strigclius observes), who alone maintained a passage at a bridge, against all the forces of the enemy: and caused the bridge to be broken down behind him. But that shews, since natural courage made a man so daring, it is not incredible that Jonathan made such an attempt by Divine incitation.

1 Samuel 14:14

But now the kingdom, shall not continue.". He predicts that God would not let his family enjoy the king^ dom: because of other sins which “he foresaw he would commit Tlie Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.] God had not yet commanded David to lead his people, but he fully intended to do it, if Saul did not repent, and obtain a pardon of him for his offence. Whereby he had not provoked him so far, as to have an irreversible, sentence passed upon him (as many great men havQ thought), but it might have been revoked if he had not persisted in. his folly, and committed a much greater offence against the Divine Majesty, in the war against Amalek. Then Samuel tells him, the Lord mould not repent: which not being added here, it makes it probable he was capable of a pardon, notwithstanding this denunciation: if he had begged it with repentance, and better obedience for tha time to come…. Tlie first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armour-bearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plough.] viz. In one day. That is, saith Kimchi, in a very small space of ground: which Do Dicu will have to be half a furrow in length. (See him.) Ver. 15: And there’ was a trembling in the’ host, in the field, and among the people; the garrison, and Hie spoilers, they also trembled.] News being brought of this slaughter to the host of the Philistines which lay in the field, it put them into a great consternation: for they were.asleep (it is likely), this being done very early in the morning, as Josephus thinks, (lib. vi. cap. 7.) And all the people that attended the host, as well as the garrison, and spoilers who had been ravaging the country, (xiii. 17.) were very much affrighted: imagining a great army had been at hand to fall upon them; of which these two were but the scouts. Whose exploits, perhaps, were also magnified beyond the truth. And the earth quaked.] Some think there was a real earthquake, which increased their fear: but it may be no more than a metaphorical expression, for the great tumult they were in. So it was a great trembling.’] In the Hebrew, a trembling of God; that is, which God sent upon them: called by the heathen a panic fear, which they thought came from their gods; and made the stoutest men quake. So Pindar excellently expresses it in his Nemca, ix. ver. 63. Ev yap &atfxoviot<n 0oj3o«c Qtvyovrat koX IIcuSec St£>v. When men are struck with Divine terrors, even the children of the gods (i. e. the most heroic spirits) betake themselves to flight. And the army of the Philistines consisting (as I observed on xiii. 5.) of different nations, it made the confusion and trembling the greater: because they either did hot understand, or suspected one another.

1 Samuel 14:15

And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal finto GibeaJi of Benjamin. The place of Saul’s birth, and where he lived; which I look upon as a sign that Samuel did not intend to destfrt him, as he did afterward, nor looked upon him yet as forsaken by. God., And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six Imndred men.] A strange alteration since the last year, when against the.Ammonites he had three hundred thousand men with him, besides those of. Judaic (xi. 6.).’….i *.%”.,,,-, -.-.;■. w’c v;

1 Samuel 14:16

And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people who. were present with him, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin. ; They followed Samuel; and it was a strong place, where, they could defend themselves better than in the open field: and here, it is likely, he hoped to increase his forces, being in his own tribe.,,..;.., But the Philistines encamped in Michmash.] -A place not very remote from Gibeah; but in the tribe of Ephraim. And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah ofBenjatnin looked.] For it was seated on a high hill, which over* looked the country about it. And behold the multitude melted away.] Were scattered; so that fewer and fewer were seen in, a company together. And they went on beating down one another.] Not being able, in this confusion, to distinguish their friends from their enemies.

1 Samuel 14:17

And the spoilers came out of the camp of the. Philistines, in three companies. They sent out parties three several ways, to ravage the country, there being none to oppose them.. • j;>/^-.…-u; One company turned the way that leadeth to Ophralu] There was a city of this name, in the tribe of Benjamin, (Josh, xviii. 23.) but many take this rather to be that in the. tribe of Manasseh, where Gideon was born,(Judg. vi.ll) Unto the land of Shual.] So called, because it abounded with foxes, as Boehart observes* f.,..< The7i said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who are gone from us. And when they were numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armour-bearer were not there.] He easily missed Jonathan, I suppose, but could not imagine he would fall upon the Philistines, without a’good number of men to assist’ him: which he knew he had not. This made him call the high-priest, to inquire of God, that he might be informed what was the matter, and what he should do.

1 Samuel 14:18

And another company turned the way of Beth horon.* Both the upper and the nether cities of this name were in the tribe of Ephraim, (1 Chron. vii. 24.)..,,. t And another company turned to the way of the border^ that looks to the valley ofZeboim, towards the wilderness.] The Chaldee paraphrast translates these words, the val^ ley of vipers; for tzeboa signifies a sort of speckled ser-„ pent, wherewith this valley abounded, and lay towards the wilderness of Jericho in the tribe^of Benjamin., Thus^ also a great number of the Hebrew writers translate Ze^ boim; which Junius takes for a city in this tribe.* (See Bochartus, in his Hierozoicon, par. ii. lib.iii* cap. 7.). ~t. And Saul said to Ahijah, Bring hither the ark of God: for the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.] How could he bid him bring the ark, when it was at Kirjath-jearim, in the house of Abinadab? To this Abarbincl answers, that he doth not speak of the ark in which the tables of the law were kept (for he doth not say, bring the ark of the covenant hither), but a little coffer, wherein the ephod was kept; that is, the breast-plate with urim and’thummim. These the priest brought along with him, that Saul might consult God upon occasion, as David did, 1 Sam. xxx. 8. Therefore the LXX. translate? it, vpovayayi ■ ro’E^ovS, bring hither the ephod. And so Rasi and Kimchi.. (See Buxtorf. Hist; Arcao, cap. 3. and our learned Dr. Spencer, do Leg. et Hit.* Heb. fol. 859.) But this doth not seem a solid interpretation, there being but one ark men-

1 Samuel 14:19

Now there tvas no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said,. Lest the He-, brews make them swords and spears. To this miserable; condition the Philistines had. reduced them during the forty years’ tyranny over them, ofwhich we read, Judg.; xiii. 1.. But after Samuel had put ai\ end to it, by the great overthrow he gave the Philistines at Eben-ezer, it seems something strange they had not restored their artificers. But the sloth of the Israelites appears in their whole story; and it was not easy, in so short a time, for men to learn. this.trade, which, the Philistines jwisely; de- 4 stroyed,, as the.Chaldeans, when they destroyed Jerusa-, lem, carried away all the smiths to Babylon, that they w T ho remained in the land might not; arm themselves again, (2 Kings xxiv. 14.).

1 Samuel 14:20

But all the men of Israel went.down to the Phi-. listines, to sharjien every man his share, and his coulter, and Ms axe, and his mattock. Not to the country of tho Philistines, for that was too far off from some parts of the land of Israel; but to their. garrisons, which they held among them, even after Samuel had driven the main body of them out of the country, as I observed upon x. 5.. s >. And Saul and all the people that were ivith him assembled; and came to the battle: and, behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture!] This Josephusthinks fell out (as I noted above) because their army consisted of divers nations, who did not know one another, and so fell into great confusion.

1 Samuel 14:21

Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for. the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads. Thus Pliny tells us. in his Natural History, lib. xxxi. cap. 14. that in tho league which Pprsanna made with. the Roman people, after the expulsion of their, kings, it was expressly covenanted, " Ne ferro,.nisi injagricultura uterentur;" that they should not make use of iron, but only in the tilling of t their fields. 2M Moreover, the Hebrews that were with the Phi" listines before that time, which went tip with them into the camp from the country round about.] As some, it seems, did; either out of fear, compulsion, or design. • Even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.] And helped to destroy the Philistines…. - •

1 Samuel 14:22

So it came to pass, that in the day of battle^ there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people tliattvere with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul, and Jonathan his son, tvas there found.] The Jews being very much addicted to feeding cattle, very much neglected mechanical arts, as appeared when Solomon built the temple. For there were so few skilled in architecture among the Israelites, that he was constrained to send to another nation for them. And,&o Rasi thinks it was in the trade of smiths; there being no iron mines in the land.. But that was not the true reason, as Kirachi observes; for the Philistines, as was said before, had transplanted tho smiths, when the Israelites were under their dominion. In their oppressions also, which they lay under, their enemies were wont to disarm thein, as appears by the song of Deborah, (Judg. v. 8.) But though they had no sword nor spear, yet they had bows and arrows, and slings; which the men of Gibcah could anciently manage to a wonderful advantage, as we read, Judg. xx. 1G. And besides these, they anciently used clubs to beat down their enemies; and before the invention of spears with iron points, they had sharp stakes hardened in the fire, as many authors, inform us. Likewise all the men of Israel that had hid themselves in Mount Ephraim.] And other places mentioned xiii. 6. •When they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.] Pursued them closely. Vcr. 23. So the Lord saved Israel that day: and the battle passedover unto Beih-aven.] These words seem to imply, that the fight continued till they came to this place, which lay westward from Michmash,^xiii.5.) and there the Philistines threw down their arms; and fled as fast as they could towards their own country. Vcr. 24. And the men of Israel were distressed that day.] When they should have been full -of joy and triumph. For Saul had adjured tJie people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth arty food until the evening, that I may be avenged of my enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.] That they might not lose time, nor make the least stay in the pursuit of their oncmies, who fled before them. The king had the same power that the great Sanhcdrin had, who, the Jews say, might devpto those to destruction, who did not’obey the charge that was given them in war. (See Selden, lib. iv. de Jure Nat. ct Gent. cap. 6.) v But this was a very indiscreet act of Saul, unbecoming an* excellent captain; for instead of pursuing the Philistines with vigour, they fainted for want of -refreshment. Therefore great covi-i mandcrs always took care their soldiers should be moderately fed, that they might not be tired in a long conflict. So Vegctius informs us: (lib. iii. dc Re Militari, cap.!).) " Vetcribus scculis’mos fuit, parco cibo curatos milites ad ecrtamen educere, ut citatiores sumpta csca reddcret ct Iongiore conflictu non fatigcrentur incdia." And there was the same need of taking a little refreshment if they could get it, when they were engaged in a long pursuit of their enemy. Ver.. 25. And all they of the land came to a wood; and there ivas honey upon the ground.] Which dropped from the hollow trees, or the clefts of rocks, where bees made their combs m that country; and sometimes upon the very ground; as Bochart hath shewn in his Hierozoicon, par. ii. lib. iv. cap. 12. where he observes this was not peculiar to Judea, but usual in other countries. Vcr. 26. And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no manput his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the path.] Wild honey was so copious in those countries, and flowed so plentifully, that it gave occasion to that hyperbolical speech in the book of Job, xx. 17. where we read of brooks, or torrents, of honey and butter.

1 Samuel 14:23

And the garrison of the. Philistineswent out to the passage of Michmash. Some refer this to the garrison mentioned ver. 3. which Jonathan having smitten, they that escaped joined with the army at Michmash. But it refers rather to the garrison mentioned in the beginning of the next chapter, (ver. 1.) and the last word relates not to the passage, but to the garrison, As if he had said, TJie garrison of the Philistines in Michmash went out to the passage. For Michmasb, as Rasi observes, was upon a high hill, as Gibeah was; between which was a valley, called here a passage. Into which the garrison descended, to invite the Israelites to battle; or, as theTargum translates the first word, the captain-general of the Philistines went out into the valley; to view the ground, we. may suppose, and form a camp there.

1 Samuel 14:25

And Saul built an altar unto the Lord. To,offer sacrifices of peace-offerings, and give thanks to God for this great victory. Though others think ifwas-not for sacrifice, but only a monument of God’s mercy, in this late deliverance…,, • The same was the first altar that he built unto the Lord.] In the Hebrew the words ar6 (as is observed in the margin of our Bibles), that altar he began to build unto the Lord; i. e. he laid the first stone himself. We read of his offering before in Gilgal; but that, perhaps, was not upon an altar erected by himself, but was built before by others.

1 Samuel 14:27

And Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath. He and his armour-bearer being engaged in fight, (with whom some others joined, ver. 21.) long before Saul and his small army came to join him. ■• Wherefore he put forth the end of his rod, and dipped it in a honey-comb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.] That is, his spirits and strength, which were quite spent by long abstinence from meat; so that he could scarce sec, w r ere restored to him, and he was made fresh and lively to proceed in pursuit of the enemy. For, asGcrh. Vossius observes, (lib. iv. deOrig. et Progr. Idol. cap. 79.) the eyes are wont to grow dim with long hunger: and as all meat and drink refreshes and enlivens, so wine and honey do it above all other more speedily: for their spirits are both very subtile, and soon diffuse their -strength through the body. It is also-observed by learned men, that honey is an excellent medicine for sotc and weak eyes: but that is. nothing to -this purpose; such cures being not performed by eating of it, but by anointitig the eyes with it. ■ ■, *

1 Samuel 14:28

Then answered one of the people. That came with Saul to the pursuit. And said, Thy father charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be theman that eateth any food to-day. And the people were faint.] And yet forbore to take any refreshment, for fear of the curse.

1 Samuel 14:29

Then said Jonathan^ My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey. Which did not cause so long a stay, as to hinder the pursuit of the enemy.. • •

1 Samuel 14:30

How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely this day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?] They would have been able to pursue them more swiftly, and to have done greater execution upon them, than they could when they.were faint. Thus men, by their rashness, hinder what they would have. And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning, and let us -not leave a man of them.] Having thus refreshed themselves, in the evening Saul propounded to them to renew the pursuit: hoping to cut off their whole army, when they werQ asleep in the night. f. . And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee.] Their good success made them as forward, as before they were backward to follow him. Tfien said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.] It is likely he stood before the altar (if it were for sacrifice) and put them in mind, that it was dangerous to undertake any thing without God’s advice: which he was there ready to ask for them: in the Targum it is, Let us inquire by the Word of the Lord*

1 Samuel 14:31

Andthey smote the Philistines that day from Microsoft chap, xiv;. THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. Michmash to Ajalon.] A city in the tribe of Dan, (Josh; xix. 42.) which bordered upon the countryof the Philistines.; And the people were very faint.] Otherwise they might have pursued further.

1 Samuel 14:32

And the people flew upon the spoil. Like a ravenous bird, which wanted food. And took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slexv them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.’] Raw, or but half roasted or boiled, their hunger being so sharp, that it made them forget their duty.

1 Samuel 14:33

Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the Lord, in that they eat with the blood. All the people were not so profane, but only some part of them. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me.] Our learned Dr. Spencer thinks, they did not eat with theblood, as we translate it, but upon, or by thelilood; which was an idolatrous custom in the east, to invite the familiarity of demons, as -hath been noted on Lev. xix. 26. And therefore Saul, to keep the people from thus defiling themselves, commanded a great stone to be brought to him, that there they might kill their beasts at that one place, and then feed upon them. (See de Leg. et Hit. Hebr. p. 334.) But this doth not seem probable that they’ should howpractise those idolatrous rites, when God had wrought such a wonderful deliverance for them; and they were so impatient to" eat, that they had not time to think oC such ceremonies. * >;.

1 Samuel 14:34

And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people. He speaks unto his officers. And say nnto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man 7iis sheep.] This is a sign they had* not all offended; having not yet killed their beasts. And slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the Lord in eating with the blood. And all the men brought every man his ox tvith.him that night, and slew them there.] As many as they had occasion to use.

1 Samuel 14:37

And Saul asked counsel of God. By urim and thummim… .. /";. Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel?] Hitherto Saul had some goodness left in him: for he hearkened to the priest, when he admonished him of his duty, which he neglected. •, Trie Targum here again hath it, Saul asked by the Word of the Lord.: -’: But he answered him not that day.] Though perhaps the priest had often begged an answer, yet he received none, *

1 Samuel 14:38

And Saul said, Draw near hither all the chief of the people; and see wherein this sin hath been this day. He concluded some sin had provoked God, not to regard his supplication: which he desired might be found out and punished. •/

1 Samuel 14:39

For, as th& Lord liveth, that saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among the people that answered him. Though many knew that Jonathan had transgressed his father’s charge, (ver. 28.) yet none would discover it.,

1 Samuel 14:40

Then said he unto all Israel, Be you on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said, Do what seemeth good unto thee. He had gained great authority among the people (it appears by this, and by ver. 3G.) since his wonderful success.

1 Samuel 14:41

Therefore Saul said unto the Lord God oflsraeL Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken; and the people escaped. The word lot is not in the original, but only give perfect, that is, declare who is innocent.’ So the word give sometimes signifies to pronounce, (Deut. xiii. 1,2.)

1 Samuel 14:42

And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken. - This looks like virtue in him, that, for. good example’s sake, he would not exempt himself, though a king, from the same trial to which ho exposed all the people. Ver.- 48. Then said Saul to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little Jwney, that was in my hand, and, lo,I must die.] - This shews a very great mind, that he neither denied what he had done, nor excused it by his ignorance, nor refused to die: though he looked upon it as ycry hard. So Josephus represents it, Bvyevibg koI fieyaXotppovwc, &c. with a generous and great mind, he told his father the truth; and desired not to be spared, (lib. vi. Antiq. cap. 7.).

1 Samuel 14:44

And Saul answered, God do so and more also; for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan. This’ demonstrates Saul to have been of a rash and of a rigorous temper. With whom learned men are wont to compare Titus Manlius; who caused his son’s head to be cut off* for fighting the enemy, when he hada fair advantage^* contrary to order, as A.Gellius tells us, (lib. ix. cap. 13.) But in this regard Saul was to be commended, as Josephus.also observes, that he had a greater regard to his oath, than to his kindred and natural affection.

1 Samuel 14:45

And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; fir he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not] They did not rescue him. by force and violence,, but by their petition to Saul, and the reason they gave for it.. Jo-

1 Samuel 14:46

Then Saul went up from following the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own country. He pursued them no further, but let them go quietly to their own homes.

1 Samuel 14:47

And Saul took the kingdom over Israel. Ruled with greater authority over his people after this victory: for the Philistines had enslaved them, (as I observed xiii. 2.) But by this deliverance they were freed from their yoke, and Saul recovered his kingdom. -And fought against all his enemies on every side.] He did not invade them (as may be gathered from the next verse), but repelled tbcm, and kept them within their own limits. Against Moab y and against the chldren of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings ofZobah, and against the Philistines.] These were the principal enemies wherewith they were encompassed. And by the kings of Zobah are meant those that ruled in that part of Syria, which is.called Aram-Zobah > which’ lay towards Euphrates: having that river for its eastern bounds, and Damascus and the.land of Canaan for its western. For it appears to be near to the Israelites, by the frequent wars which David and Solomon had with the kings of this country, (2 Sam. viii. 3. x. 6. 2 Chron. vii. 3.)‘arid the aid which the Syrians of Damascus sent them, (2 Sam. viii, 5.) and their flying thither when they were routed. (1 Kings xi. 24;) And the cities which Solomon built in the wilderness, (1 Kings ix. 17, 18.) are said to be in Ha!math-Zobah, 2 Chron. viii. 34. which demonstrates it was upon the confines of Judea. And whithersoever he turned himself he vexed them.] He got the better of them. And in his days the Reuberiites also made war with the Hagarites, and possessed their land; till the time of the captivity, (1 Chron. v. 10. 18—20.)

1 Samuel 14:48

And he gathered a host, and smote Amalek. ‘Which war is at large described in the next chapter. And delivered Israel out of the hand of them that spoiled Viem.] The six forementioned nations.

1 Samuel 14:49

And the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishui, and Melchi-shua,&c. These were only fit to accompany him in his wars, and upon that account are only mentioned here,‘and xxxi. 2. though he had another son (Ish-bosheth), who is meutioned in 1 Chron. viii. 33. under the name of Eshbaal.

1 Samuel 14:50

And the name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, the.daughter of Ahimaaz; and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son ofNer, Saul’s uncle. For Ner was brother to Saul’s father, as the next verse tells* us. It seems tome observable, that we never read of more than one wife that §aul had, though David had many. It is possible he did not think itprudent,in a new-erected kingdom, to follow the example of. the eastern kings in every thing. Ver.- 61. And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner, he father of Abner, was the son of Abiel.] As Kish also was, (xi.l.)

1 Samuel 14:52

And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul. WI16 could not perfectly subduo them; as appears from their renewing the war, (chap, xvii. &c.) And tchen Saul saw any strong man, dr any valiant mdn.) Who behaved himself with vigour and courage in the wars. He took him unto him.] To be one of his guard, or’to be preferred in the army.