1 Sam. 14 Jonathan and his armour-bearer secretly smite the Philistines’ army; they slay one another, 1 Sam. 14:1–15; which being perceived, 1 Sam. 14:16–17, Saul pursueth the Philistines, the captivated and hidden Israelites join in the pursuit, 1 Sam. 14:18–23.

This was a rash and foolish attempt, if it be examined by common rules; but not so, if we consider the singular promises made to the Israelites, that one should chase a thousand, &c., and especially the heroical and extraordinary motions which were then frequently put into the minds of gallant men…

In the uttermost part of Gibeah; in the outworks of the city, where he had intrenched himself to observe the motion of the Philistines. In Migron, or towards (as the Hebrew beth is oft used) Migron, which was another place, but near Gibeah. See Isa. 10:28.

Ahiah; the same who is called Ahimelech, 1 Sam. 22:9, 1 Sam. 22:11, 1 Sam. 22:20, the high priest, who was here to attend upon the ark, which was brought hither, 1 Sam. 14:18. An ephod, to wit, the high priest’s ephod, wherein the Urim and Thummim was.

The passages; so these might be two known and common passages, both which Jonathan must cross, or pass over, to go to the Philistines, between which the following rocks lay. But the words may be rendered thus, In the middle (for so the Hebrew particle ben signifies, as Isa.

These uncircumcised; so he calls them, partly in contempt, and principally to strengthen his faith by this consideration, that his enemies were enemies to God, and without any hope in God, or help from him; whereas he was circumcised, and therefore in covenant with God, who was both able and…

Turn thee; march on to the enemies.

Jonathan not being assured of the success of this present exploit, desires a sign; and by the instinct of God’s Spirit, as the success shows, pitched upon this. Divers such heroical motions and extraordinary impulses there were among great and good men in ancient times; as Gen. 24:13, Judg.

Therefore Jonathan chose that rocky and unusual way, that the Philistines might suppose they did not come from Saul’s camp to fight with them, but rather out of the caves and holes of the rocks, from which their necessity had now driven them.

We will show you a thing; we having something of importance to communicate to you. A speech of contempt and derision. The Lord hath delivered them; he piously and modestly ascribes the success which he now foresees to God only.

The Philistines could easily have hindered their ascent, but thought scorn to do it, not questioning but they could cut them off in a moment when they were come up to them according to their invitation.

Trembling; a great consternation; partly from this unexpected and prodigious slaughter, which made them suspect there was more than man in the case, and that the Lord (of whose infinite power they had had former experience) was come forth to fight against them; and partly from the Lord, who took…

In Gibeah, or, in the hill, as the very same word is rendered, 1 Sam. 13:16, and that was the fittest place for watchmen. The multitude, to wit, of that numerous host of the Philistines. Melted away, i.e. were strangely and suddenly dispersed, and put to flight. Beating down one another; either, 1.

Saul probably supposed that not only Jonathan, but also some considerable number of his army, was gone, and that by them that slaughter was made.

That the priest may put on the ephod, and may inquire of the Lord before the ark what the occasion of this tumult among our enemies is, and what we shall do. With the children of Israel, to wit, in the camp, whither sometimes it was brought; as 1 Sam.

Trouble not thyself in putting on the breastplate, with the ephod, to inquire of God; for I now plainly discern the matter; the business calls not for prayer, but for action. But if it did so, there was the more need of God’s direction and blessing, that they might act with more success.

The Philistines slew one another; which might come, either from mistake, of which see on 1 Sam. 14:16; or from mutual jealousies and passions, to which God could easily dispose them.

Which went up with them into the camp; either by constraint, as servants; or in policy, to gain their favour and protection.

The battle, i.e. the warriors who were engaged in the battle, and were pursuing and fighting with the Philistines.

Were distressed, with hunger, and weakness, and faintness, thence arising; and all by reason of the following oath. As Saul’s intention was good, namely, to execute vengeance upon God’s and his enemies; so the matter of the obligation was not simply and in itself unlawful, if it had not been so…

All they of the land, Heb. all the land, i.e. the people of the land; as it is explained below, 1 Sam. 14:29; and so the word is taken Gen. 41:57. All the Israelites who were with Saul.

The honey dropped. It hath been observed by many travellers and writers, that bees do ofttimes settle themselves, and make their hives and honey, in the trunks of trees, or clefts of rocks, or holes of the earth; and this in divers countries, but eminently in this of Canaan; as may be gathered from…

Jonathan heard not, being then absent, and in pursuit of the Philistines, divers of the Israelites having joined themselves with him, 1 Sam. 14:21. His eyes were enlightened; he was refreshed, and recovered his lost spirits, whereof part went into his optic nerves, and so cleared his sight, which…

One of the people, who came along with Saul, whose forces were now united with Jonathan’s.

The land, i.e. the people of the land, the whole army, whom by this rash oath he hath greatly injured. The zeal of defending himself makes him run into the other extreme of accusing his father, and that before the people, whom by this means he might have stirred up to a sedition.

Aijalon; either that in Dan, Josh. 19:42; or rather, that in Judah, 2 Chron. 11:10.

The people flew upon the spoil, to wit, at evening, when the time prefixed by Saul was expired. With the blood; not having patience to tarry till the blood was perfectly gone out of them, as they should have done. See Gen. 9:4, Lev. 17:14, Deut. 12:16.

He sees their fault, but not his own, in giving the occasion to it. Roll a great stone unto me; that the cattle might be all killed in one place, under the inspection of Saul, or some other appointed by him for that work; and upon the stone, that the blood may sooner and better flow out.

And his sheep, which is to be understood out of the foregoing words.

Either for a monument of the victory; or rather, for sacrifice, as the next words imply. The same was the first altar, though he had occasion to do so oft ere this time. So this is quoted as another evidence of his neglect of God and his worship.

Remembering Saul’s contempt of God’s ordinance the last time, and the in consequence of it; and perceiving Saul ready to run into the same error again, even though he had not now the same pretence of the necessity of haste as before, and that the people were forward to comply with the motion; he…

Either, 1. Because he was displeased with Saul for his former neglect, 1 Sam. 14:18–19, where he began to ask advice of God, but was so rude and impious as not to tarry for an answer; and therefore it was but a just retaliation, if when Saul did ask, God would not vouchsafe him an answer. Or, 2.

All the chief of the people; in the name of all the people, that you may be witnesses, and may see where the fault lies.

None of those who either saw Jonathan eating, or heard of it, informed against him; partly because they were satisfied that his ignorance excused him, and that there was some other reason of God’s not answering; and partly from their great love to Jonathan, whom they would not expose to death for…

Give a perfect lot, or declare (for giving is oft put for declaring or pronouncing, as Deut. 11:29, Deut. 13:1–2, Prov. 9:9) the perfect or guiltless person; i.e. O Lord, so guide the lot, that it may discover who is guilty in this matter, and that it may clear the innocent.

God so ordered the lot; not that he approved Saul’s execration, 1 Sam. 14:24, or his oath that the transgressor should die, 1 Sam. 14:39, nor that he would expose Jonathan to death; (for he designed so to rule the hearts of the people, and of Saul also, that Jonathan should not die;) but because he…

I am sentenced to death for it; which is hard measure. He had another answer, that he knew not of his father’s command; but that being said before, 1 Sam. 14:27, it was needless here to repeat it.

From this and other like expressions of Saul’s, some gather that he was exceeding prone to the vice of swearing and cursing. Thou shalt surely die: strange perverseness! He who was so indulgent as to spare wicked Agag, 1 Sam.

With God, i.e. in concurrence with God, or by God’s help he had wrought this salvation. God is so far from being offended with Jonathan, as thou apprehendest, that he hath graciously owned and assisted him in the great service of this day.

Saul went up from following the Philistines; partly because he was discouraged by God’s refusing to answer him; and partly because his delays had given them occasion to secure themselves.

Took the kingdom, i.e. recovered it, and resumed the administration of it, after he had in a manner lost it, partly by Samuel’s sentence, 1 Sam. 13:14, and partly by the Philistines, who had almost turned him out of it.

Smote the Amalekites; which is here mentioned only in the general, but is particularly described in the next chapter.

Ishui, called also Abinadab, 1 Sam. 31:2, 1 Chron. 8:33. Ishbosheth, Saul’s other son, is here omitted, because he intended to mention only those of his sons who went with him into the battles here mentioned, and who were afterwards slain with him.

Into his service, or army.