Bible Commentary

1 Samuel 14:23

1 Samuel 14:23

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain

So the Lord saved Israel that day, &c] And a wonderful salvation it was, that two men should throw such a vast army into confusion, which issued in the utter rout and destruction of them; this only could be of the Lord, to whom it is justly ascribed, and was the effect of his sovereign good will and pleasure, and of his unmerited goodness; a free favour bestowed on an undeserving prince, who had behaved ill to his prophet at Gilgal, and now to him and his high priest at Gibeah:and the battle passed over unto Bethaven; the men of battle or war; those that made war, as the Targum, these pursued and went as far as Bethaven, or rather "passed Bethaven" ; they not only, went as far as that, but "from" it, as Ben Gersom and Abarbinel interpret it; they passed that place, and went on from thence in pursuit of the Philistines; for their camp at Michmash was eastward from this place, and had it on the east, 1Sa 13:5.

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1 Samuel 14 — Overview1 Samuel 14 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleWe left the host of Israel in a very ill posture, in the close of the foregoing chapter; we saw in them no wisdom, nor strength, nor goodness, to give us ground to expect any other than that they should all be…1 Samuel 14 — Overview1 Samuel 14 · Treasury of Scripture Knowledge1 Samuel 14:1, Jonathan goes and miraculously smites the Philistine’s garrison; 1 Samuel 14:15, A divine terror makes them beat themselves; 1 Samuel 14:17, Saul, not staying the priest’s answer, sets on them; 1 Samuel…1 Samuel 14 — Overview1 Samuel 14 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis chapter gives an account of an adventure of Jonathan and his armourbearer smiting a garrison of the Philistines, 1Sa 14:1, which with other circumstances struck terror into the whole army; which being observed by…1 Samuel 14:1-521 Samuel 14:1-52 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION JONATHAN SMITES THE PHILISTINE GAR-BISON (1 Samuel 14:1-15). 1 Samuel 14:1 Now it came to pass upon a day. Literally, "And there was a day, and Jonathan," etc.; or, as we should say, And it happened one…1 Samuel 14:1-521 Samuel 14:1-52 · The Pulpit CommentaryIII. IN MANIFESTING HIS FAITHFULNESS TO HIS PEOPLE GOD PERMITS THE IMPERFECT TO SHARE IN THE BLESSINGS PROCURED BY THE MORE PERFECT. Primarily, it was God's compassion for Israel and his covenant with Abraham that must…1 Samuel 14:16-231 Samuel 14:16-23 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleWe have here the prosecution and improvement of the wonderful advantages which Jonathan and his armour-bearer gained against the Philistines. I. The Philistines were, by the power of God, set against one another.…