141 Now the day came that Jonathan , the son of Saul , said to the young man who was carrying his armor , "Come and let us cross over to the Philistines' garrison that is on the other side ." But he did not tell his father . 2 Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in Migron . And the people who were with him were about six hundred men , 3 and Ahijah , the son of Ahitub , Ichabod's brother , the son of Phinehas , the son of Eli , the priest of the Lord at Shiloh , was wearing an ephod . And the people did not know that Jonathan had gone . 4 Between the passes by which Jonathan sought to cross over to the Philistines' garrison , there was a sharp crag on the one side and a sharp crag on the other side , and the name of the one was Bozez , and the name of the other Seneh . 5 The one crag rose on the north opposite Michmash , and the other on the south opposite Geba . 6 Then Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor , "Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised ; perhaps the Lord will work for us, for the Lord is not restrained to save by many or by few ." 7 His armor bearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart ; turn yourself, and here I am with you according to your desire ." 8 Then Jonathan said , " Behold , we will cross over to the men and reveal ourselves to them. 9 "If they say to us, 'Wait until we come to you'; then we will stand in our place and not go up to them. 10 "But if they say , 'Come up to us,' then we will go up, for the Lord has given them into our hands ; and this shall be the sign to us." 11 When both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines , the Philistines said , "Behold , Hebrews are coming out of the holes where e they have hidden themselves." 12 So the men of the garrison hailed Jonathan and his armor bearer and said , "Come up to us and we will tell you something ." And Jonathan said to his armor bearer , "Come up after me, for the Lord has given them into the hands of Israel ." 13 Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet , with his armor bearer behind him; and they fell before Jonathan , and his armor bearer put some to death after him. 14 That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor bearer made was about twenty men within about half a furrow in an acre of land . 15 And there was a trembling in the camp , in the field , and among all the people . Even the garrison and the raiders trembled , and the earth quaked so that it became a great trembling .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:1-15
Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:1-15
(Read 1 Samuel 14:1-15)
Saul seems to have been quite at a loss, and unable to help himself. Those can never think themselves safe who see themselves out of God's protection. Now he sent for a priest and the ark. He hopes to make up matters with the Almighty by a partial reformation, as many do whose hearts are unhumbled and unchanged. Many love to have ministers who prophesy smooth things to them. Jonathan felt a Divine impulse and impression, putting him upon this bold adventure. God will direct the steps of those that acknowledge him in all their ways, and seek to him for direction, with full purpose of heart to follow his guidance. 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 Divine providence. There was trembling in the host. It is called a trembling of God, signifying, not only a great trembling they could not resist, nor reason themselves out of, but that it came at once from the hand of God. He that made the heart, knows how to make it tremble.