1 Samuel 14:3-37
Ahijah <0281> [Ahiah.]
[called Ahimelech. I-chabod's.]
carrying <05375> [wearing.]
<04569> [the passages.]
cliff <08127> [forefront. Heb. tooth.]
[Bozez. i.e., shining. Seneh. i.e., a bush or tooth.]
<03212> [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 men <06189> [uncircumcised.]
Lord .......... Lord <03068> [it may be.]
prevent <04622> [for 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.
Do ....... mind ........... way <06213 03824> [Do all.]
go over <05674> [we will pass.]
say <0559> [they.]
Stay put <01826> [Tarry. Heb. Be still.]
sign <0226> [this shall be a sign.]
holes <02356> [out of the holes.]
up ....... teach ............... up <05927 03045> [Come up to us.]
Meaning, that they would cause them to repent of their audacity. This was the favourable sign which Jonathan had requested.
up ..................... up behind <05927 0310> [Come up after me.]
up <05927> [climbed up.]
down <05307> [fell.]
area .... half ... acre <04618 07704 02677> [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.
fear overwhelmed ............................... fear <02731> [there was trembling.]
bands <07843> [the spoilers.]
trembled .... ground <07264 0776> [the earth quaked.]
fear overwhelmed ............................... fear ..... God <02731 0430> [very great trembling. Heb. trembling of God.]
God 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.
melt <04127> [melted away.]
<01986> [beating down.]
near <05066> [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.
<0727> [For the ark.]
panic <01995> [noise. or, tumult. Withdraw.]
marched <02199 0935> [assembled themselves. Heb. were cried together. every man's.]
Hebrews <05680> [the Hebrews.]
Probably such as they held in bondage, or who were their servants. Instead of (h„ivrim,} "the Hebrews," the LXX. evidently read {haƒvdim,} for they have [Loi douloi,] "the slaves;" but this reading is not countenanced by any other version, nor by any MS.
hidden ..... hill country <02244 02022> [hid themselves.]
battle <04421> [the 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.
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
Beth Aven <01007> [Beth-aven.]
Cursed <0779> [Cursed.]
vengeance <05358> [I may be.]
army <0776> [all they.]
honey <01706> [honey.]
This was wild honey, which to this day abounds in Judea; and bursting from the comb, runs down the hollow trees, rocks, etc.
army ................... army <05971> [the people.]
eyes <05869> [his eyes.]
Cursed <0779> [Cursed.]
tired <05774> [faint. or, weary.]
father <01> [My father.]
See <07200> [see.]
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.
greater <07235> [had there.]
Micmash <04363> [from Michmash.]
The distance, Calmet states to be three or four leagues.
Aijalon <0357> [Aijalon.]
<05860> [flew.]
army ..................... army <05971> [the 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.
ate <0398> [did eat.]
covenant <0898> [transgressed. or, dealt treacherously.]
<03027> [with him. Heb. in his hand.]
built .............. built <01129> [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.
first <02490> [the same, etc. Heb. that altar he began to build unto the]
Lord.
go down <03381> [Let us go.]
leave <07604> [let us not leave.]
said ........................... replied .......... priest said <0559 03548> [Then 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.
down <03381> [Shall I go.]
answer <06030> [he answered.]
