1Now it happened one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man that was his armorbearer, Come, let us go over to the garrison of the Philistines that is on the other side. But he did not tell his father. 2And Saul was sitting at the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men. 3Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of Jehovah at Shiloh, was wearing an ephod. And the people did not know that Jonathan had gone. 4Between the passes by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on one side and a sharp rock on the other side. And the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. 5The one rock was a pillar northward opposite Michmash, and the other southward opposite Gibeah. 6And Jonathan said to the young man that was his armorbearer, Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that Jehovah will work for us; for nothing restrains Jehovah, to save by many or by few. 7So his armorbearer said to him, Do all that is in your heart. Turn then; behold, I am with you according to your heart. 8And Jonathan said, Behold, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them. 9If they say thus to us, Wait until we come to you, then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them. 10But if they say thus, Come up to us; then we will go up, for Jehovah has delivered them into our hand; and this will be a sign to us. 11So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden. 12And the men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armorbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will teach you something. And Jonathan said to his armorbearer, Come up after me, for Jehovah has delivered them into the hand of Israel. 13And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet with his armorbearer after him; and they fell before Jonathan. And his armorbearer followed, killing them. 14That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armorbearer made was about twenty men within an area of land half the size that a yoke of oxen might plow in a day. 15And there was trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and the raiders also trembled; and the earth quaked, so that it was a very great trembling. 16And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold the multitude had melted away; and they went, striking down one another. 17Then Saul said to the people who were with him, Number and see who has gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armorbearer were not there. 18And Saul said to Ahijah, Bring the ark of God here (for the ark of God was with the sons of Israel that day). 19And it happened, while Saul spoke to the priest, that the roar in the camp of the Philistines continued to increase; so Saul said to the priest, Withdraw your hand. 20And Saul and all the people with him assembled, and they went to the battle; and behold every man's sword was against his neighbor, and there was very great confusion. 21Moreover the Hebrews who had previously retreated from the Philistines into the surrounding areas, they also joined the camp of the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22Likewise all the men of Israel who had hidden in the mountains of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines had fled, they also pursued closely after them in the battle. 23So Jehovah saved Israel that day, and the battle passed over to Beth Aven. 24And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had placed the people under oath, saying, Cursed is the man who eats food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies. So none of the people tasted food. 25Now all the people of the land came to a forest; and there was honey on the ground. 26And when the people had come into the forest, there was the flowing honey; but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath. 27But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath; therefore he stretched out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in a honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes brightened. 28Then one of the people said, Your father adjured the people with an oath, saying, Cursed is the man who eats food this day. And the people were faint. 29And Jonathan said, My father has troubled the land. See now, how my eyes have brightened because I have tasted a little of this honey. 30How much better if the people had eaten to feed themselves today of the spoils of their enemies which they have found! For now would there not have been a much greater slaughter among the Philistines? 31And they drove back the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon; and the people were very faint. 32And the people rushed upon the spoils, and took sheep, oxen, and calves, and slaughtered them on the ground; and the people ate with the blood. 33And they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people are sinning against Jehovah to eat with the blood! So he said, You have dealt treacherously; roll a large stone to me this moment. 34And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them, Bring me here each man his ox and his sheep, slaughter them here, and eat; and do not sin against Jehovah to eat with the blood. So every one of the people brought his ox with him that night, and slaughtered it there. 35And Saul built an altar unto Jehovah. This was the first altar that he built unto Jehovah. 36And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and plunder them until the morning light; and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatever is good in your eyes. And the priest said, Let us draw near to God here. 37And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You deliver them into the hand of Israel? But He did not answer him that day. 38And Saul said, Draw near here, all you chiefs of the people, and know and see what this sin was today. 39For as Jehovah lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall be executed to death. But not one of all the people answered him. 40Then he said to all Israel, You be on one side, and my son Jonathan and I will be on the other side. And the people said to Saul, Do what is good in your eyes. 41Therefore Saul said to Jehovah the God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken, but the people escaped. 42And Saul said, Cast lots between my son Jonathan and me. And Jonathan was taken. 43Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what you have done. And Jonathan confessed to him, and said, I have tasted to eat a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. Behold, I must die! 44And Saul answered, God do so and more also; for you shall be executed to death, Jonathan. 45But the people said to Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great deliverance in Israel? Let it not be! As Jehovah lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die. 46Then Saul withdrew from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place. 47So when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies all around: against Moab, against the sons of Ammon, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he condemned them. 48And he dealt with might and struck the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hands of those who plundered them. 49The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Jishui and Malchishua. And the names of his two daughters: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal. 50The name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. 51Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. 52And war with the Philistines was severe all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man or any valiant youth, he gathered them to himself.
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge 1 1Sam 14:1 Jonathan goes and miraculously smites the Philistine's garrison.
1Sam 14:15 A divine terror makes them beat themselves.
1Sam 14:17 Saul, not staying the priest's answer, sets on them.
1Sam 14:21 The captivated Hebrews, and the hidden Israelites, join against them.
1Sam 14:24 Saul's unadvised adjuration hinders the victory.
1Sam 14:31 He restrains the people from eating blood.
1Sam 14:35 He builds an altar.
1Sam 14:37 Jonathan, taken by lot, is save by the people.
1Sam 14:47 Saul's victories, strength, and family.
A.M. 2917. B.C. 1087. An. Ex. Is. 404. it came to passupon a day. or, there was a day. Jonathan.
1Sam 14:39 -
1Sam 14:45 1Sam 13:2 1Sam 13:22 1Sam 18:1 -
1Sam 18:4 2Sam 1:4 2Sam 1:5 2Sam 1:25 2Sam 1:26he told not.
1Sam 25:19 Judg 6:27 Judg 14:6 Mic 7:5 2 in the uttermost.
1Sam 13:15 1Sam 13:16 Isa 10:28 Isa 10:29a pomegranate. The word
rimmon, in Arabic
romman, whence the Portuguese
romaa, denotes the pomegranate, both tree and fruit; called by naturalists
malus punica or
malo-granatum. It is, according to the Linnean system, a genus of the
icosandria monogynia class of plants; and is a low tree, growing very common in Palestine, and other parts of the East. It has several small angular boughs, very thick and bushy, covered with a reddish bark, and some of them armed with sharp thorns. They are garnished with small, narrow, spear-shaped leaves, like those of the myrtle, but not so sharp, of a green colour, inclining to red. Its blossoms are large, beautiful, of an elegant red colour, inclining to purple, composed of several stalks resembling a rose, in the hollow of the cup: this cup is oblong, hard, purple, having a figure somewhat like that of a bell. It is chiefly valued for its fruit, which is exceedingly beautiful, of the form and size of a large apple, with a reddish rind, and red within; being full of small kernels, with red grains, replenished with a generous liquor, of which, Sir John Chardin informs us, they still make considerable quantities of wine in the East, particularly in Persia. But as the pomegranate tree, from its low growth, is but little adapted for pitching a tent under, it is probable that Rimmon here is the name of the rock mentioned in
Judg 20:45.
3 Ahiah.
1Sam 22:9 -
1Sam 22:12 1Sam 22:20called Ahimelech. I-chabod's.
1Sam 4:21wearing.
1Sam 2:28 Exod 28:26 -
Exod 28:32 4 the passages.
1Sam 13:23 5 forefront. Heb. tooth.
1Sam 14:4Bozez. i.e., shining. Seneh. i.e., a bush or tooth.
6 Come. This action of Jonathan's was totally contrary to the laws of war; no military operation should be undertaken without the knowledge and command of the general. But it is highly probable, that this gallant man was led to undertake the hazardous enterprise by an immediate divine impulse; and by the same influence was kept from informing the soldiers, and even from consulting his father, who might have opposed his design.
uncircumcised.
1Sam 17:26 1Sam 17:36 Gen 17:7 -
Gen 17:11 Judg 15:18 2Sam 1:20 Jer 9:23 Jer 9:26 Eph 2:11 Eph 2:12 Phil 3:3it may be.
2Sam 16:12 2Kgs 19:4 Amos 5:15 Zeph 2:3for there is no restraint. Where there is a promise of defense and support, the weakest, in the face of the strongest enemy, may rely upon it with the utmost confidence.
Deut 32:30 Judg 7:4 -
Judg 7:7 2Chr 14:11 Ps 115:1 -
Ps 115:3 Zech 4:6 Matt 19:26 Rom 8:31 7 Do all.
1Sam 10:7 2Sam 7:3 Ps 46:7 Zech 8:23 8 we will pass.
Judg 7:9 -
Judg 7:14 9 they.
Gen 24:13 Gen 24:14 Judg 6:36 -
Judg 6:40Tarry. Heb. Be still.
10 this shall be a sign.
1Sam 10:7 Gen 24:14 Judg 7:11 Isa 7:11 -
Isa 7:14 11 out of the holes.
1Sam 14:22 1Sam 13:6 Judg 6:2 12 Come up to us. Meaning, that they would cause them to repent of their audacity. This was the favourable sign which Jonathan had requested.
1Sam 14:10 1Sam 17:43 1Sam 17:44 2Sam 2:14 -
2Sam 2:17 2Kgs 14:8Come up after me.
Gen 24:26 Gen 24:27 Gen 24:42 Gen 24:48 Judg 4:14 Judg 7:15 2Sam 5:24 13 climbed up.
Ps 18:29 Heb 11:34fell.
Lev 26:7 Lev 26:8 Deut 28:7 Deut 32:30 Josh 23:10 Rom 8:31 14 an half acre of land. or, half a furrow of an acre of land. The original is obscure and variously understood; but it is probably a proverbial expression for a small space.
1Sam 14:14 15 there was trembling.
Josh 2:9 Judg 7:21 2Kgs 7:6 2Kgs 7:7 Job 18:11 Ps 14:5the spoilers.
1Sam 13:17 1Sam 13:23the earth quaked.
Exod 19:18 Matt 24:6 Matt 27:50 Matt 27:51very great trembling. Heb. trembling of God.
Gen 35:5 Lev 26:36 Lev 26:37 2Sam 5:24 Dan 5:6God will in some way or other direct the steps of those who acknowledge him in all their ways, and seek unto him for direction with full purpose of heart. Sometimes we find most comfort in that which is least our own doing, and into which we have been led by the unexpected, but well observed, turns of Providence.
16 melted away.
Ps 58:7 Ps 68:2beating down.
1Sam 14:20 Judg 7:22 2Chr 20:22 -
2Chr 20:25 Isa 19:2 17 1Sam 14:17 18 Bring hither. The Septuagint reads [Prosagage to ephoud, hoti autos ere to ephoud en te hemera ekeine enopiou Israel. ] "Bring hither the ephod; for he bore the ephod on that day before Israel:" which Houbigant and others think is the true reading. Finding that his son Jonathan and his armour-bearer were absent, Saul wished to consult the high-priest; but the tumult increasing, he says to him, "Withdraw thine hand:" i.e., desist form consulting the ephod on the present occasion, and immediately hastened to make the best use he could of this astonishing victory.
1Sam 4:3 -
1Sam 4:5 1Sam 30:8 Num 27:21 Judg 20:18 Judg 20:23 Judg 20:27 Judg 20:28 2Sam 11:11 2Sam 15:24 -
2Sam 15:26For the ark.
1Sam 5:2 1Sam 7:1 19 noise. or, tumult. Withdraw.
1Sam 14:24 1Sam 13:11 Josh 9:14 Ps 106:13 Isa 28:16 20 assembled themselves. Heb. were cried together. everyman's.
1Sam 14:16 Judg 7:22 2Chr 20:23 Isa 9:19 -
Isa 9:21 Isa 19:2 21 the Hebrews. Probably such as they held in bondage, or who were their servants. Instead of
haivrim, "the Hebrews," the LXX. evidently read
haâvdim, for they have [Loi douloi,] "the slaves;" but this reading is not countenanced by any other version, nor by any MS.
1Sam 29:4 Judg 7:23 22 hid themselves.
1Sam 13:6 1Sam 31:7the battle. The LXX. and Vulgate add here, [kai pas ho laos en meta Saoul hos deka chiliades andron,]
Et erant cum Saul, quasi decem millia virorum. "And [all the people who were, LXX. ] there were with Saul about ten thousand men;" but this is supported by no other authority.
23 the Lord.
Exod 14:30 Judg 2:18 2Kgs 14:27 Ps 44:6 -
Ps 44:8 Hos 1:7Beth-aven.
1Sam 13:5 24 Cursed.
1Sam 14:27 -
1Sam 14:30 Lev 27:29 Num 21:2 Deut 27:15 -
Deut 27:26 Josh 6:17 -
Josh 6:19 Josh 6:26 Judg 11:30 Judg 11:31 Judg 21:1 -
Judg 21:5 Pro 11:9 Rom 10:2 1Cor 16:22I may be.
Judg 5:2 Judg 1:28 Ps 18:47 25 all they.
Deut 9:28 Matt 3:5honey. This was wild honey, which to this day abounds in Judea; and bursting from the comb, runs down the hollow trees, rocks, etc.
Exod 3:8 Num 13:27 Matt 3:4 26 the people.
Eccl 9:2 27 his eyes.
1Sam 14:29 1Sam 30:12 Pro 25:26 28 Cursed.
1Sam 14:24 1Sam 14:43faint. or, weary.
29 My father.
1Kgs 18:18see. It is well known, that hunger and fatigue produce faintness and dim the sight; and on taking a little food, this affection is immediately removed.
30 had there.
Eccl 9:18 31 from Michmash. The distance, Calmet states to be three or four leagues.
Aijalon.
Josh 10:12 Josh 19:42 32 flew.
1Sam 15:19the people. The people having abstained from food the whole of the day, and being now faint through hunger and fatigue, they flew upon the cattle, and not taking time to bleed them properly, they eagerly devoured the flesh with the blood, directly contrary to the law--another bad effect of Saul's rash adjuration.
did eat.
Gen 9:4 Lev 3:17 Lev 7:26 Lev 7:27 Lev 17:10 -
Lev 17:14 Lev 19:26 Deut 12:16 Deut 12:23 Deut 12:24 Ezek 33:25 Acts 15:20 Acts 15:29 33 transgressed. or, dealt treacherously.
Matt 7:5 Rom 2:1 34 with him. Heb. in his hand.
1Sam 14:34 35 built. It is probable that Saul converted the great stone, on which the cattle had been slaughtered, into an altar, on which sacrifices were offered, before the people attempted to proceed any further. This we are told was the first he had built. Samuel, as a prophet and priest, had hitherto erected the altars, but Saul seems to have thought he had sufficient authority to erect one himself, without the prophet, as he had once offered sacrifice without him.
1Sam 7:9 1Sam 7:17 Judg 21:4 Hos 8:14 2Tim 3:5the same, etc. Heb. that altar he began to build unto theLord.
36 Let us go.
Josh 10:9 -
Josh 10:14 Josh 10:19 Jer 6:5let us not leave.
1Sam 11:11 Josh 11:14Then said the priest. It is evident that Ahiah, who had before been interrupted by Saul's impatience, doubted of the propriety of pursuing the Philistines that night, and properly counselled them to enquire of the Lord.
Num 27:21 Ps 73:28 Isa 48:1 Isa 48:2 Isa 58:2 Mal 2:7 Jas 4:8 37 Shall I go.
1Sam 23:4 1Sam 23:9 -
1Sam 23:12 1Sam 30:7 1Sam 30:8 Judg 1:1 Judg 20:18 Judg 20:28 2Sam 5:19 2Sam 5:23 1Kgs 22:5 1Kgs 22:15he answered.
1Sam 28:6 Ezek 14:3 -
Ezek 14:5 Ezek 20:3 38 Draw ye near.
1Sam 10:19 1Sam 10:20 Josh 7:14 -
Josh 7:26chief. Heb. corners.
Num 24:17 Judg 20:2 2Sam 18:3 Ps 47:9 Zech 10:4 Matt 21:42 Eph 2:20 39 1Sam 14:24 1Sam 14:44 1Sam 19:6 1Sam 20:31 1Sam 22:16 1Sam 28:10 2Sam 12:5 Eccl 9:2 40 Do what seemeth.
1Sam 14:7 1Sam 14:36 2Sam 15:15 41 Therefore. Both the Septuagint and Vulgate add much to this verse: [Kai eipe Saoul, Kyrie Lo Theos Israel, ti Loti ouk apekrithes to doulo sou semeron? ei en emoi e en lonathan to Luio mou he adikia, Kyrie ho Theos Israel dos delous kai ean tade eipe, dos de to lao sou Israel, dos de osioteta, k. t. l. ]
Et dixit Saul ad Dominum Deum Israel; Domine Deus Israel da indicium: quid est quod non responderis servo tuo hodie? Si in me, aut in Jonatha filio meo est iniquitas hec, da ostensionem: aut si hec iniquitas est in populo tuo, da sanctitatem, etc. "And Saul said [to the Lord God of Israel, Vulg. ] Lord God of Israel [give a sign, Vulg. ] Why is it that thou has not answered thy servant to-day? If the iniquity be in me, or in my son Jonathan, [O Lord God of Israel, LXX. ] make it manifest; and if thou say thus, give to thy people Israel, give mercy," etc., [but Vulg. Or, if this iniquity be in thy people, give sanctification," etc. ]
Give a perfect lot. or, Shew the innocent.
Pro 16:33 Acts 1:24And Saul.
1Sam 10:20 1Sam 10:21 Josh 7:16 -
Josh 7:18 Jonah 1:7escaped. Heb. went forth.
42 1Sam 14:42 43 Tell me.
Josh 7:19 Jonah 1:7 -
Jonah 1:10I did but.
1Sam 14:27 44 God.
1Sam 25:22 Ruth 1:17 2Sam 3:9 2Sam 19:13thou shalt.
1Sam 14:39 Gen 38:24 2Sam 12:5 2Sam 12:31 Pro 25:16 45 who hath.
1Sam 14:23 1Sam 19:5 Neh 9:27there shall not. The people judged rightly, that the guilt was contracted by Saul, and not by Jonathan; and therefore they rescued him from the hands of his rash and severe father.
2Sam 14:11 1Kgs 1:52 Matt 10:30 Luke 21:18 Acts 27:34he hath.
2Chr 19:11 Isa 13:3 Acts 14:27 Acts 15:12 Acts 21:19 Rom 15:18 1Cor 3:9 2Cor 6:1 Phil 2:12 Phil 2:13 Rev 17:14 Rev 19:14the people.
Isa 29:20 Isa 29:21 46 1Sam 14:46 47 Saul.
1Sam 13:1fought.
2Kgs 14:27Ammon.
1Sam 11:11 1Sam 12:2Zobah.
2Sam 10:6 1Kgs 11:23 48 gathered an host. or, wrought mightily. smote.
1Sam 15:3 -
1Sam 15:7 Exod 17:14 Deut 25:19 49 Jonathan.
1Sam 31:2 1Chr 8:33 1Chr 9:39name of the first-born.
1Sam 18:7 -
1Sam 18:21 1Sam 25:44 2Sam 3:13 -
2Sam 3:16 2Sam 6:20 -
2Sam 6:23 50 the name of the captain.
1Sam 17:55 2Sam 2:8 2Sam 3:27Abner. Heb. Abiner.
51 Kish.
1Sam 9:1 1Sam 9:21 52 when Saul.
1Sam 8:1 1Sam 8:11
