(KJV) 1 Samuel 141

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⥃Jonathan’s Victory over the Philistines

[1] Now it came to pass upon a day2, that Jonathan3 the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that [is] on the other side. But he told not4 his father.5 [2] And Saul tarried in the uttermost6 part of Gibeah under a pomegranate7 tree which [is] in Migron: and the people that [were] with him [were] about six hundred men; [3] And Ahiah8, the son of Ahitub, I–chabod’s9 brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh, wearing10 an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.

[4] [¶]And between the passages11, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines’ garrison, [there was] a sharp rock on the 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. [5] The forefront12 of the one [was] situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. [6] And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come13, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised14: it may be15 that the Lord will work for us: for [there is] no restraint16 to the Lord to save by many or by few. [7] And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all17 that [is] in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I [am] with thee according to thy heart. [8] Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass18 over unto [these] men, and we will discover ourselves unto them. [9] If they19 say thus unto us, Tarry20 until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. [10] But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the Lord hath delivered them into our hand: and this [shall be] a sign21 unto us. [11] And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes22 where they had hid themselves. [12] And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us23, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me24: for the Lord hath delivered them into the hand of Israel. [13] And Jonathan climbed up25 upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell26 before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him. [14] And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land27, [which] a yoke [of oxen might plow]. [15] And there was trembling28 in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers29, they also trembled, and the earth quaked30: so it was a very great trembling31. [16] And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away32, and they went on beating down33 [one another]. [17] Then said Saul unto the people that [were] with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer [were] not [there]. [18] And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither34 the ark of God. For the ark35 of God was at that time with the children of Israel.

[19] [¶]And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise36 that [was] in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw37 thine hand. [20] And Saul and all the people that [were] with him assembled themselves38, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man’s39 sword was against his fellow, [and there was] a very great discomfiture. [21] Moreover the Hebrews40 [that] were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp [from the country] round about, even they also [turned] to be with the Israelites that [were] with Saul and Jonathan. [22] Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves41 in mount Ephraim, [when] they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle42. [23] So the Lord43 saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Beth–aven44.

⥃Jonathan Eats the Honey

[24] And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed45 [be] the man that eateth [any] food until evening, that I may be46 avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted [any] food. [25] And all [they47 of] the land came to a wood; and there was honey48 upon the ground. [26] And when the people49 were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath. [27] But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that [was] in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes50 were enlightened. [28] Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed51 [be] the man that eateth [any] food this day. And the people were faint52. [29] Then said Jonathan, My father53 hath troubled the land: see54, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey. [30] How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there55 not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines? [31] And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash56 to Aijalon57: and the people were very faint. [32] And the people flew58 upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew [them] on the ground: and the people59 did eat60 [them] with the blood.

[33] [¶]Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the Lord, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed61: roll a great stone unto me this day. [34] And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay [them] here, and eat; and sin not against the Lord in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him62 that night, and slew [them] there. [35] And Saul built63 an altar unto the Lord: the same64 was the first altar that he built unto the Lord.

[36] And Saul said, Let us go65 down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave66 a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest67, Let us draw near hither unto God.

⥃The People Save Jonathan

[37] And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go68 down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered69 him not that day. [38] And Saul said, Draw ye near70 hither, all the chief71 of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day. [39] For, [as] the Lord liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But [there was] not a man among all the people [that] answered him.72 [40] Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth73 good unto thee. [41] Therefore74 Saul said unto the Lord God of Israel, Give a perfect [lot75]. And Saul76 and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped77.787980 [42] And Saul said, Cast [lots] between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken. [43] Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me81 what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but82 taste a little honey with the end of the rod that [was] in mine hand, [and], lo, I must die. [44] And Saul answered, God83 do so and more also: for thou shalt84 surely die, Jonathan. [45] And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath85 wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: [as] the Lord liveth, there shall not86 one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath87 wrought with God this day. So the people88 rescued Jonathan, that he died not. [46] Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.

⥃Saul’s Victories

[47] So Saul89 took the kingdom over Israel, and fought90 against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon91, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah92, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed [them]. [48] And he gathered an host93, and smote94 the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them. [49] Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan95, and Ishui, and Melchi–shua: and the names of his two daughters [were these]; the name of the firstborn96 Merab, and the name of the younger Michal: [50] And the name of Saul’s wife [was] Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain97 of his host [was] Abner98, the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle. [51] And Kish99 [was] the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner [was] the son of Abiel. [52] And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul100 saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.

<< 1 Samuel 13 1 Samuel 15 >>

  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. ↩

  2. or, there was a day ↩

  3. 1Sam 14:39-45, 1Sam 13:2, 1Sam 13:22, 1Sam 18:1-4; 2Sam 1:4-5, 2Sam 1:25-26 ↩

  4. 1Sam 25:19; Judg 6:27, Judg 14:6; Mic 7:5 ↩

  5. am 2917, bc 1087, An, Ex, Is 404 ↩

  6. 1Sam 13:15-16; Isa 10:28-29 ↩

  7. 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. ↩

  8. 1Sam 22:9-12, 1Sam 22:20, called Ahimelech. ↩

  9. 1Sam 4:21 ↩

  10. 1Sam 2:28; Exod 28:26-32 ↩

  11. 1Sam 13:23 ↩

  12. Heb. tooth, 1Sam 14:4, Bozez, i.e. shining, Seneh, i.e. a bush or tooth ↩

  13. 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. ↩

  14. 1Sam 17:26, 1Sam 17:36; Gen 17:7-11; Judg 15:18; 2Sam 1:20; Jer 9:23, Jer 9:26; Eph 2:11-12; Phil 3:3 ↩

  15. 2Sam 16:12; 2Kgs 19:4; Amos 5:15; Zeph 2:3 ↩

  16. 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 7:4-7; 2Chr 14:11; Ps 115:1-3; Zech 4:6; Matt 19:26; Rom 8:31 ↩

  17. 1Sam 10:7; 2Sam 7:3; Ps 46:7; Zech 8:23 ↩

  18. Judg 7:9-14 ↩

  19. Gen 24:13-14; Judg 6:36-40 ↩

  20. Heb. Be still ↩

  21. 1Sam 10:7; Gen 24:14; Judg 7:11; Isa 7:11-14 ↩

  22. 1Sam 14:22, 1Sam 13:6; Judg 6:2 ↩

  23. Meaning, that they would cause them to repent of their audacity. This was the favourable sign which Jonathan had requested. 1Sam 14:10, 1Sam 17:43-44; 2Sam 2:14-17; 2Kgs 14:8 ↩

  24. Gen 24:26-27, Gen 24:42, Gen 24:48; Judg 4:14, Judg 7:15; 2Sam 5:24 ↩

  25. Ps 18:29; Heb 11:34 ↩

  26. Lev 26:7-8; Deut 28:7, Deut 32:30; Josh 23:10; Rom 8:31 ↩

  27. 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 ↩

  28. Josh 2:9; Judg 7:21; 2Kgs 7:6-7; Job 18:11; Ps 14:5 ↩

  29. 1Sam 13:17, 1Sam 13:23 ↩

  30. Exod 19:18; Matt 24:6, Matt 27:50-51 ↩

  31. Heb. trembling of God, Gen 35:5; Lev 26:36-37; 2Sam 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. ↩

  32. Ps 58:7, Ps 68:2 ↩

  33. 1Sam 14:20; Judg 7:22; 2Chr 20:22-25; Isa 19:2 ↩

  34. 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. 1Sam 4:3-5, 1Sam 30:8; Num 27:21; Judg 20:18, Judg 20:23, Judg 20:27-28; 2Sam 11:11, 2Sam 15:24-26 ↩

  35. 1Sam 5:2, 1Sam 7:1 ↩

  36. or, tumult ↩

  37. 1Sam 14:24, 1Sam 13:11; Josh 9:14; Ps 106:13; Isa 28:16 ↩

  38. Heb. were cried together ↩

  39. 1Sam 14:16; Judg 7:22; 2Chr 20:23; Isa 9:19-21, Isa 19:2 ↩

  40. 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 1Sam 29:4; Judg 7:23 ↩

  41. 1Sam 13:6, 1Sam 31:7 ↩

  42. 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. ↩

  43. Exod 14:30; Judg 2:18; 2Kgs 14:27; Ps 44:6-8; Hos 1:7 ↩

  44. 1Sam 13:5 ↩

  45. 1Sam 14:27-30; Lev 27:29; Num 21:2; Deut 27:15-26; Josh 6:17-19, Josh 6:26; Judg 11:30; Judg 11:31, Judg 21:1-5; Prov 11:9; Rom 10:2; 1Cor 16:22 ↩

  46. Judg 5:2, Judg 1:28; Ps 18:47 ↩

  47. Deut 9:28; Matt 3:5 ↩

  48. 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 ↩

  49. Eccl 9:2 ↩

  50. 1Sam 14:29, 1Sam 30:12; Prov 25:26 ↩

  51. 1Sam 14:24, 1Sam 14:43 ↩

  52. or, weary ↩

  53. 1Kgs 18:18 ↩

  54. 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. ↩

  55. Eccl 9:18 ↩

  56. The distance, Calmet states to be three or four leagues. ↩

  57. Josh 10:12, Josh 19:42 ↩

  58. 1Sam 15:19 ↩

  59. 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. ↩

  60. Gen 9:4; Lev 3:17, Lev 7:26-27, Lev 17:10-14, Lev 19:26; Deut 12:16, Deut 12:23-24; Ezek 33:25; Acts 15:20, Acts 15:29 ↩

  61. or, dealt treacherously, Matt 7:5; Rom 2:1 ↩

  62. Heb. in his hand, 1Sam 14:34 ↩

  63. 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 3:5 ↩

  64. etc. Heb. that altar he began to build unto the Lord ↩

  65. Josh 10:9-14, Josh 10:19; Jer 6:5 ↩

  66. 1Sam 11:11; Josh 11:14 ↩

  67. 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 48:1-2, Isa 58:2; Mal 2:7; Jas 4:8 ↩

  68. 1Sam 23:4, 1Sam 23:9-12, 1Sam 30:7-8; Judg 1:1, Judg 20:18, Judg 20:28; 2Sam 5:19, 2Sam 5:23; 1Kgs 22:5, 1Kgs 22:15 ↩

  69. 1Sam 28:6; Ezek 14:3-5, Ezek 20:3 ↩

  70. 1Sam 10:19-20; Josh 7:14-26 ↩

  71. Heb. corners, Num 24:17; Judg 20:2; 2Sam 18:3; Ps 47:9; Zech 10:4; Matt 21:42; Eph 2:20 ↩

  72. 1Sam 14:24, 1Sam 14:44, 1Sam 19:6, 1Sam 20:31, 1Sam 22:16, 1Sam 28:10; 2Sam 12:5; Eccl 9:2 ↩

  73. 1Sam 14:7, 1Sam 14:36; 2Sam 15:15 ↩

  74. Both the Septuagint and Vulgate add much to this verse: ↩

  75. or, Shew the innocent, Prov 16:33; Acts 1:24 ↩

  76. 1Sam 10:20-21; Josh 7:16-18; Jonah 1:7 ↩

  77. Heb. went forth ↩

  78. 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. ↩

  79. 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. ↩

  80. "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.) ↩

  81. Josh 7:19; Jonah 1:7-10 ↩

  82. 1Sam 14:27 ↩

  83. 1Sam 25:22; Ruth 1:17; 2Sam 3:9, 2Sam 19:13 ↩

  84. 1Sam 14:39; Gen 38:24; 2Sam 12:5, 2Sam 12:31; Prov 25:16 ↩

  85. 1Sam 14:23, 1Sam 19:5; Neh 9:27 ↩

  86. 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 27:34 ↩

  87. 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 2:12-13; Rev 17:14, Rev 19:14 ↩

  88. Isa 29:20-21 ↩

  89. 1Sam 13:1 ↩

  90. 2Kgs 14:27 ↩

  91. 1Sam 11:11, 1Sam 12:2 ↩

  92. 2Sam 10:6; 1Kgs 11:23 ↩

  93. or, wrought mightily ↩

  94. 1Sam 15:3-7; Exod 17:14; Deut 25:19 ↩

  95. 1Sam 31:2; 1Chr 8:33, 1Chr 9:39 ↩

  96. 1Sam 18:7-21, 1Sam 25:44; 2Sam 3:13-16, 2Sam 6:20-23 ↩

  97. 1Sam 17:55; 2Sam 2:8, 2Sam 3:27 ↩

  98. Heb. Abiner ↩

  99. 1Sam 9:1, 1Sam 9:21 ↩

  100. 1Sam 8:1, 1Sam 8:11 ↩