1 Samuel 14:15-17

14:15 Then fear overwhelmed ¹  those who were in the camp, those who were in the field, all the army in the garrison, and the raiding bands. They trembled and the ground shook. This fear was caused by God. ² 

14:16 Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin ³  looked on ⁴  as the crowd of soldiers seemed to melt away first in one direction and then in another. ⁵  14:17 So Saul said to the army that was with him, “Muster the troops and see who is no longer with us.” When they mustered the troops, ⁶  Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there.

[14:15]  ¹ tn Heb “fell upon.”

[14:15]  ² tn Heb “and it was by the fear of God.” The translation understands this to mean that God was the source or cause of the fear experienced by the Philistines. This seems to be the most straightforward reading of the sentence. It is possible, however, that the word “God” functions here simply to intensify the accompanying word “fear,” in which one might translate “a very great fear” (cf. NAB, NRSV). It is clear that on some occasions that the divine name carries such a superlative nuance. For examples see Joüon 2:525 §141.n.

[14:16]  ³ tn Heb “at Gibeah of Benjamin.” The words “in the territory” are supplied in the translation for clarity.

[14:16]  ⁴ tn Heb “saw, and look!”

[14:16]  ⁵ tn Heb “the crowd melted and went, even here.”

[14:17]  ⁶ tn Heb “and they mustered the troops, and look!”