16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin see, and lo, the multitude hath melted away, and it goeth on, and is beaten down. 17 And Saul saith to the people who 'are' with him, 'Inspect, I pray you, and see; who hath gone from us?' and they inspect, and lo, Jonathan and the bearer of his weapons are not. 18 And Saul saith to Ahiah, 'Bring nigh the ark of God;' for the ark of God hath been on that day with the sons of Israel. 19 And it cometh to pass, while Saul spake unto the priest, that the noise which 'is' in the camp of the Philistines goeth on, going on and becoming great, and Saul saith unto the priest, 'Remove thy hand.' 20 And Saul is called, and all the people who 'are' with him, and they come in unto the battle, and, lo, the sword of each hath been against his neighbour—a very great destruction. 21 And the Hebrews 'who' have been for the Philistines as heretofore, who had gone up with them into the camp, have turned round, even they, to be with Israel who 'are' with Saul and Jonathan, 22 and all the men of Israel, who are hiding themselves in the hill-country of Ephraim, have heard that the Philistines have fled, and they pursue—even they—after them in battle. 23 And Jehovah saveth Israel on that day, and the battle hath passed over to Beth-Aven.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:16-23
Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:16-23
(Read 1 Samuel 14:16-23)
The Philistines were, by the power of God, set against one another. The more evident it was that God did all, the more reason Saul had to inquire whether God would give him leave to do any thing. But he was in such haste to fight a fallen enemy, that he would not stay to end his devotions, nor hear what answer God would give him. He that believeth, will not make such haste, nor reckon any business so urgent, as not to allow time to take God with him.