Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, by R.A. Torrey, [ca. 1880], at sacred-texts.com
1 Kings (1 Samuel) Chapter 14
Overview
Sa1 14:1, Jonathan goes and miraculously smites the Philistine's garrison; Sa1 14:15, A divine terror makes them beat themselves; Sa1 14:17, Saul, not staying the priest's answer, sets on them; Sa1 14:21, The captivated Hebrews, and the hidden Israelites, join against them; Sa1 14:24, Saul's unadvised adjuration hinders the victory; Sa1 14:31, He restrains the people from eating blood; Sa1 14:35, He builds an altar; Sa1 14:37, Jonathan, taken by lot, is save by the people; Sa1 14:47, Saul's victories, strength, and family.
am 2917, bc 1087, An, Ex, Is 404
it came to pass upon a day: or, there was a day
Jonathan: Sa1 14:39-45, Sa1 13:2, Sa1 13:22, Sa1 18:1-4; Sa2 1:4, Sa2 1:5, Sa2 1:25, Sa2 1:26
he told not: Sa1 25:19; Jdg 6:27, Jdg 14:6; Mic 7:5
in the uttermost: Sa1 13:15, Sa1 13:16; Isa 10:28, Isa 10:29
a 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 Jdg 20:45.
Ahiah: Sa1 22:9-12, Sa1 22:20, called Ahimelech.
Ichabod's: Sa1 4:21
wearing: Sa1 2:28; Exo 28:26-32
the passages: Sa1 13:23
forefront: Heb. tooth, Sa1 14:4, Bozez, i.e. shining, Seneh, i.e. a bush or tooth
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: Sa1 17:26, Sa1 17:36; Gen 17:7-11; Jdg 15:18; Sa2 1:20; Jer 9:23, Jer 9:26; Eph 2:11, Eph 2:12; Phi 3:3
it may be: Sa2 16:12; Kg2 19:4; Amo 5:15; Zep 2:3
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. Deu 32:30; Jdg 7:4-7; Ch2 14:11; Psa 115:1-3; Zac 4:6; Mat 19:26; Rom 8:31
Do all: Sa1 10:7; Sa2 7:3; Psa 46:7; Zac 8:23
we will pass: Jdg 7:9-14
they: Gen 24:13, Gen 24:14; Jdg 6:36-40
Tarry: Heb. Be still
this shall be a sign: Sa1 10:7; Gen 24:14; Jdg 7:11; Isa 7:11-14
out of the holes: Sa1 14:22, Sa1 13:6; Jdg 6:2
Come up to us: Meaning, that they would cause them to repent of their audacity. This was the favourable sign which Jonathan had requested. Sa1 14:10, Sa1 17:43, Sa1 17:44; Sa2 2:14-17; Kg2 14:8
Come up after me: Gen 24:26, Gen 24:27, Gen 24:42, Gen 24:48; Jdg 4:14, Jdg 7:15; Sa2 5:24
climbed up: Psa 18:29; Heb 11:34
fell: Lev 26:7, Lev 26:8; Deu 28:7, Deu 32:30; Jos 23:10; Rom 8:31
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. Sa1 14:14
there was trembling: Jos 2:9; Jdg 7:21; Kg2 7:6, Kg2 7:7; Job 18:11; Psa 14:5
the spoilers: Sa1 13:17, Sa1 13:23
the earth quaked: Exo 19:18; Mat 24:6, Mat 27:50, Mat 27:51
very great trembling: Heb. trembling of God, Gen 35:5; Lev 26:36, Lev 26:37; Sa2 5:24; Dan 5:6; 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.
melted away: Psa 58:7, Psa 68:2
beating down: Sa1 14:20; Jdg 7:22; Ch2 20:22-25; Isa 19:2
Bring hither: The Septuagint reads Προσαγαγε το εφουδ, οτι αυτος ηρε το εφουδ εν τη ημερα εκεινη ενωπιον Ισραηλ. "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. Sa1 4:3-5, Sa1 30:8; Num 27:21; Jdg 20:18, Jdg 20:23, Jdg 20:27, Jdg 20:28; Sa2 11:11, Sa2 15:24-26
noise: or, tumult
Withdraw: Sa1 14:24, Sa1 13:11; Jos 9:14; Psa 106:13; Isa 28:16
assembled themselves: Heb. were cried together
every man's: Sa1 14:16; Jdg 7:22; Ch2 20:23; Isa 9:19-21, Isa 19:2
the Hebrews: Probably such as they held in bondage, or who were their servants. Instead of (haivrim) "the Hebrews," the LXX evidently read haavdim, for they have οι δουλοι, "the slaves;" but this reading is not countenanced by any other version, nor by any manuscript Sa1 29:4; Jdg 7:23
hid themselves: Sa1 13:6, Sa1 31:7
the battle: The LXX and Vulgate add here, και πας ο λαος ην μετα Σαουλ ως δεκα χιλιαδες ανδρων, 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.
the Lord: Exo 14:30; Jdg 2:18; Kg2 14:27; Psa 44:6-8; Hos 1:7
Bethaven: Sa1 13:5
Cursed: Sa1 14:27-30; Lev 27:29; Num 21:2; Deu 27:15-26; Jos 6:17-19, Jos 6:26; Jdg 11:30; Jdg 11:31, Jdg 21:1-5; Pro 11:9; Rom 10:2; Co1 16:22
I may be: Jdg 5:2, Jdg 1:28; Psa 18:47
honey: This was wild honey, which to this day abounds in Judea; and bursting from the comb, runs down the hollow trees, rocks, etc. Exo 3:8; Num 13:27; Mat 3:4
the people: Ecc 9:2
his eyes: Sa1 14:29, Sa1 30:12; Pro 25:26
faint: or, weary
My father: Kg1 18:18
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.
had there: Ecc 9:18
from Michmash: The distance, Calmet states to be three or four leagues.
flew: Sa1 15:19
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.
did eat: Gen 9:4; Lev 3:17, Lev 7:26, Lev 7:27, Lev 17:10-14, Lev 19:26; Deu 12:16, Deu 12:23, Deu 12:24; Eze 33:25; Act 15:20, Act 15:29
transgressed: or, dealt treacherously, Mat 7:5; Rom 2:1
with him: Heb. in his hand, Sa1 14:34
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. Sa1 7:9, Sa1 7:17; Jdg 21:4; Hos 8:14; Ti2 3:5
the same: etc. Heb. that altar he began to build unto the Lord
Let us go: Jos 10:9-14, Jos 10:19; Jer 6:5
let us not leave: Sa1 11:11; Jos 11:14
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. Num 27:21; Psa 73:28; Isa 48:1, Isa 48:2, Isa 58:2; Mal 2:7; Jam 4:8
Shall I go: Sa1 23:4, Sa1 23:9-12, Sa1 30:7, Sa1 30:8; Jdg 1:1, Jdg 20:18, Jdg 20:28; Sa2 5:19, Sa2 5:23; Kg1 22:5, Kg1 22:15
he answered: Sa1 28:6; Eze 14:3-5, Eze 20:3
Draw ye near: Sa1 10:19, Sa1 10:20; Jos 7:14-26
chief: Heb. corners, Num 24:17; Jdg 20:2; Sa2 18:3; Psa 47:9; Zac 10:4; Mat 21:42; Eph 2:20
Sa1 14:24, Sa1 14:44, Sa1 19:6, Sa1 20:31, Sa1 22:16, Sa1 28:10; Sa2 12:5; Ecc 9:2
Do what seemeth: Sa1 14:7, Sa1 14:36; Sa2 15:15
Therefore: Both the Septuagint and Vulgate add much to this verse:
Και ειπε Σαουλ, Κυριε ο Θεος Ισραηλ, τι οτι ουκ απεκριθης τω δουλω σου σημερον; ει εν εμοι η εν Ιωναθαν τω υιω μου η αδικια, Κυριε ο Θεος Ισραηλ δος δηλους και εαν ταδε ειπη, δος δη τω λαω σου Ισραηλ, δος δη οσιοτητα, κ.τ.λ.
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 today? 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; Act 1:24
And Saul: Sa1 10:20, Sa1 10:21; Jos 7:16-18; Jon 1:7
escaped: Heb. went forth
Tell me: Jos 7:19; Jon 1:7-10
I did but: Sa1 14:27
God: Sa1 25:22; Rut 1:17; Sa2 3:9, Sa2 19:13
thou shalt: Sa1 14:39; Gen 38:24; Sa2 12:5, Sa2 12:31; Pro 25:16
who hath: Sa1 14:23, Sa1 19:5; Neh 9:27
there 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. Sa2 14:11; Kg1 1:52; Mat 10:30; Luk 21:18; Act 27:34
he hath: Ch2 19:11; Isa 13:3; Act 14:27, Act 15:12, Act 21:19; Rom 15:18; Co1 3:9; Co2 6:1; Phi 2:12, Phi 2:13; Rev 17:14, Rev 19:14
the people: Isa 29:20, Isa 29:21
Saul: Sa1 13:1
fought: Kg2 14:27
gathered an host: or, wrought mightily
smote: Sa1 15:3-7; Exo 17:14; Deu 25:19
Jonathan: Sa1 31:2; Ch1 8:33, Ch1 9:39
name of the firstborn: Sa1 18:7-21, Sa1 25:44; Sa2 3:13-16, Sa2 6:20-23
the name of the captain: Sa1 17:55; Sa2 2:8, Sa2 3:27
Abner: Heb. Abiner