HarperCollins Study Bible

by Harold W. Attridge

  Preparations for Battle

  Saul counted the people who were present with him, about six hundred men. 16Saul, his son Jonathan, and the people who were present with them stayed in Geba of Benjamin; but the Philistines encamped at Michmash. 17And raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies; one company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual, 18another company turned toward Beth-horon, and another company turned toward the mountainf that looks down upon the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

  19Now there was no smith to be found throughout all the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, “The Hebrews must not make swords or spears for themselves” 20so all the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, axes, or sickles;g 21The charge was two-thirds of a shekelh for the plowshares and for the mattocks, and one-third of a shekel for sharpening the axes and for setting the goads.i 22So on the day of the battle neither sword nor spear was to be found in the possession of any of the people with Saul and Jonathan; but Saul and his son Jonathan had them.

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  a The number is lacking in the Heb text (the verse is lacking in the Septuagint).

  b Two is not the entire number; something has dropped out.

  c Heb him

  d Gk: Heb went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin

  e Gk: Heb lacks The rest…of Benjamin

  f Cn Compare Gk: Heb toward the border

  g Gk: Heb plowshare

  h Heb was a pim

  i Cn: Meaning of Heb uncertain

  13.1–15a Anxious about the onset of a battle with the Philistines, Saul offers a sacrifice without waiting for Samuel to arrive. For this act of disobedience his kingship is repudiated.

  13.1 The same formula introduces the reigns of other kings in the Deuteronomistic History (see, e.g., 2 Sam 2.10; 5.4; 1 Kings 14.21; 22.42), but the historian does not seem to have had the necessary chronological data for Saul’s reign. Contemporary biblical scholars tend to place Saul’s kingship late in the eleventh century BCE.

  13.2 Michmash, a town about seven miles northeast of Jerusalem, a few miles southeast of Bethel (see 7.16–17). Gibeah of Benjamin. See note on 9.1.

  13.3 Geba, a Benjaminite fortress about six miles north-northeast of Jerusalem. By blowing the trumpet, Saul is trying to rally support from other Hebrews, who, though kin to the Israelites, have not yet allied themselves politically (see note on 14.21).

  13.4 Saul is now in Gilgal, where Samuel told him to wait for him (10.8).

  13.5 In his oracles against Bethel (Hebrew, “House of God”) Hosea uses the name Beth-aven (“House of Wickedness”) as a pejorative substitute (Hos 4.15; 5.8; 10.5), and Bethel is probably also intended here.

  13.7 The tribal claim of Gad included most of modern Jordan north of the Dead Sea (see Josh 13.24–28). All but the southern portion of this was Gilead, a common designation for Transjordanian Israel (cf. note on 10.27b).

  13.8 Saul waits seven days, the time appointed by Samuel in 10.8 (but see 11.1).

  13.9 Samuel told Saul that he would make the offerings himself (10.8); but Saul, seeing his army begin to desert (v. 8) and fearful of joining battle without sacrificing first (v. 12), goes ahead without him.

  13.13 If not for this act of disobedience, the Lord would have established Saul’s kingdom over Israel forever, i.e., he would have given Saul an enduring dynasty (“kingdom”) like David’s (see 2 Sam 7.15–16).

  13.14 A man after his own heart, i.e., a man of his own choosing, rather than one of Saul’s sons. For ruler, or “king-designate,” see note on 9.16.

  13.15b–22 Saul and his army prepare to engage the enemy, despite a shortage of weapons caused by Philistine control of metalworking.

  13.16 Geba and Michmash were only a couple of miles apart (see note on 13.2), separated by a steep ravine, part of a strategically important wadi system that drains the Ephraimite hills into the Jordan.

  13.17 Ophrah (Josh 18.23) was north of Michmash. Land of Shual. See note on 9.4.

  13.18 There were two towns named Beth-horon, Upper and Lower. Upper Beth-horon was about ten miles west of Michmash. The valley of Zeboim (Hebrew, “Valley of Hyenas”) was southeast of Michmash.

  13.19–22 The Philistines strictly controlled access to metalworking so that the Israelites could not arm themselves.

  13.21 Pim (see text note f) occurs nowhere else in the Hebrew Bible, but it has been found inscribed on ancient stone weights averaging about two-thirds of a shekel.

  13.23–14.23 With only a single companion Jonathan makes his way into the Philistine camp and starts a panic that leads to a rout of the enemy and a major Israelite victory.

  1 SAMUEL 14

  Jonathan Surprises and Routs the Philistines

  23 Now a garrison of the Philistines had gone out to the pass of Michmash. 1One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. 2Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree that is at Migron; the troops that were with him were about six hundred men, 3along with Ahijah son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, son of Phinehas son of Eli, the priest of the LORD in Shiloh, carrying an ephod. Now the people did not know that Jonathan had gone. 4In the pass,a by which Jonathan tried to go over to the Philistine garrison, there was a rocky crag on one side and a rocky crag on the other; the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. 5One crag rose on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.

  6Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will act for us; for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.” 7His armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that your mind inclines to.b I am with you; as your mind is, so is mine.”c 8Then Jonathan said, “Now we will cross over to those men and will show ourselves to them. 9If they say to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand still in our place, and we will not go up to them. 10But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up; for the LORD has given them into our hand. That will be the sign for us.” 11So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines; and the Philistines said, “Look, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves.” 12The men of the garrison hailed Jonathan and his armor-bearer, saying, “Come up to us, and we will show you something.” Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Come up after me; for the LORD has given them into the hand of Israel.” 13Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer following after him. The Philistinesd fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer, coming after him, killed them. 14In that first slaughter Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed about twenty men within an area about half a furrow long in an acree of land. 15There was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison and even the raiders trembled; the earth quaked; and it became a very great panic.

  16Saul’s lookouts in Gibeah of Benjamin were watching as the multitude was surging back and forth.f 17Then Saul said to the troops that were with him, “Call the roll and see who has gone from us.” When they had called the roll, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. 18Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the arkg of God here.” For at that time the arkh of God went with the Israelites. 19While Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more; and Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” 20Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle; and every sword was against the other, so that there was very great confusion. 21Now the Hebrews who previously had been with the Philistines and had gone up with them into the camp turned and joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22Likewise, when all the Israelites who had gone into hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed closely after them
in the battle. 23So the LORD gave Israel the victory that day.

  The battle passed beyond Beth-aven, and the troops with Saul numbered altogether about ten thousand men. The battle spread out over the hill country of Ephraim.

  Saul’s Rash Oath

  24Now Saul committed a very rash act on that day.i He had laid an oath on the troops, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before it is evening and I have been avenged on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted food. 25All the troopsj came upon a honeycomb; and there was honey on the ground. 26When the troops came upon the honeycomb, the honey was dripping out; but they did not put their hands to their mouths, for they feared the oath. 27But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the troops with the oath; so he extended the staff that was in his hand, and dipped the tip of it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes brightened. 28Then one of the soldiers said, “Your father strictly charged the troops with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed be anyone who eats food this day.’ And so the troops are faint.” 29Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land; see how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. 30How much better if today the troops had eaten freely of the spoil taken from their enemies; for now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great.”

  31After they had struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon, the troops were very faint; 32so the troops flew upon the spoil, and took sheep and oxen and calves, and slaughtered them on the ground; and the troops ate them with the blood. 33Then it was reported to Saul, “Look, the troops are sinning against the LORD by eating with the blood.” And he said, “You have dealt treacherously; roll a large stone before me here.”k 34Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the troops, and say to them, ‘Let all bring their oxen or their sheep, and slaughter them here, and eat; and do not sin against the LORD by eating with the blood.’” So all of the troops brought their oxen with them that night, and slaughtered them there. 35And Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first altar that he built to the LORD.

  Jonathan in Danger of Death

  36Then Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and despoil them until the morning light; let us not leave one of them.” They said, “Do whatever seems good to you.” But the priest said, “Let us draw near to God here.” 37So Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?” But he did not answer him that day. 38Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the people; and let us find out how this sin has arisen today. 39For as the LORD lives who saves Israel, even if it is in my son Jonathan, he shall surely die!” But there was no one among all the people who answered him. 40He said to all Israel, “You shall be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side.” The people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.” 41Then Saul said, “O LORD God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant today? If this guilt is in me or in my son Jonathan, O LORD God of Israel, give Urim; but if this guilt is in your people Israel,l give Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were indicated by the lot, but the people were cleared. 42Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was taken.

  43Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the tip of the staff that was in my hand; here I am, I will die.” 44Saul said, “God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan!” 45Then the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great victory in Israel? Far from it! As the LORD lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground; for he has worked with God today.” So the people ransomed Jonathan, and he did not die. 46Then Saul withdrew from pursuing the Philistines; and the Philistines went to their own place.

  Saul’s Continuing Wars

  47When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—against Moab, against the Ammonites, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines; wherever he turned he routed them. 48He did valiantly, and struck down the Amalekites, and rescued Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them.

  49Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn was Merab, and the name of the younger, Michal. 50The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the commander of his army was Abner son of Ner, Saul’s uncle; 51Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.

  52There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul; and when Saul saw any strong or valiant warrior, he took him into his service.

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  a Heb Between the passes

  b Gk: Heb Do all that is in your mind. Turn

  c Gk: Heb lacks so is mine

  d Heb They

  e Heb yoke

  f Gk: Heb they went and there

  g Gk the ephod

  h Gk the ephod

  i Gk: Heb The Israelites were distressed that day

  j Heb land

  k Gk: Heb me this day

  l Vg Compare Gk: Heb 41Saul said to the LORD , the God of Israel

  14.2 Geba and Gibeah are often confused in the text, and the former is likely to be correct here. Migron, a town associated with Michmash and Geba in Isa 10.28.

  14.3 Ahijah son of Ahitub, Saul’s priest, is one of the Shilonite priests, who are condemned in 2.27–36 and slaughtered in 22.6–23; Ahijah’s nephew, Abiathar, is the only survivor. The ephod, or priestly garment, that Ahijah is wearing (rather than carrying) is probably more elaborate than Samuel’s linen loincloth (see note on 2.18; cf. 22.18). It probably contains a pouch containing the Urim and Thummim used by Saul in v. 41.

  14.4 The pass by which Jonathan and his companion cross the deep ravine that separates the two battle camps (see v. 16) is flanked by two outcroppings of rock with names that suggest that the passage is treacherous, Bozez (Hebrew, “Swampy” or “Gleaming”) and Seneh (“Thorny”).

  14.16 Gibeah, probably Geba, as in v. 2.

  14.18 Better (with the Septuagint), “Saul said to Ahijah, ‘Bring the ephod here.’ For at that time he wore the ephod before Israel.” Saul wants to consult the Urim and Thummim (see note on 14.3) to discover the source of the turmoil in the Philistine camp.

  14.21 Hebrews, an ethnic, not a political, designation. These Hebrews are people with a recognized kinship to the Israelites who have not yet joined Israel politically (see 13.3). Jonathan’s heroism has inspired them to side with their kin.

  14.23 Beth-aven, probably Bethel; see note on 13.5.

  14.24–35 Saul impetuously makes an oath condemning anyone who eats before sundown, and Jonathan, who knows nothing of the oath, eats honey and finds himself in mortal danger.

  14.27 His eyes brightened. Jonathan was refreshed or invigorated (see, e.g., Ezra 9.8).

  14.31–35 This episode, which blurs the main story’s focus on Jonathan, may have originated as an independent tradition about Saul’s first altar (v. 35).

  14.31 Aijalon was a few miles southwest of Beth-horon, so that the direction of the rout was to the west (see 13.18) toward Philistine territory.

  14.32 When victory is assured, Saul’s oath is no longer in effect, and the famished troops slaughter captured livestock for food; but they sin by eating the meat with the blood, which was reserved for the deity, thereby violating the prohibition recorded in Lev 19.26; Deut 12.23–27.

  14.33–34 Slaughtering the livestock on the large stone, rather than the ground (v. 32), will permit the blood to drain.

  14.36–46 Jonathan’s violation of Saul’s oath is discovered by casting lots. Saul condemns his son to death, but the people intervene and ransom Jonathan.

  14.38 Saul assumes, correctly, that the failure of the divination attempted in v. 37 was a result of some sin, but he does not yet know that Jonathan has violated his oath.

  14.
40–42 As in the lottery that selected Saul king (10.20–21), the lots are cast repeatedly until a particular individual is identified.

  14.41 Urim and Thummim, the names of the objects cast in the lottery, probably dice or something similar inscribed with the first letter of each name, ’aleph and taw, the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meanings of the names, “cursed” (i.e., condemned) and “accounted whole” (i.e., acquitted), refer to the possible outcomes of each cast.

  14.47–52 A miscellany of notes regarding Saul’s reign.

  14.47 Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, Israel’s neighbors east of the Jordan and the Dead Sea. Zobah, an Aramean kingdom on the western slope of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range north of Israel, against which David fights a war in 2 Sam 8.3–12; 10.6–8.

  14.48 Did valiantly implies that Saul acquired territorial gains, restoring lands lost in previous wars and extending Israel’s borders. His victory over the Amalekites is described in the next chapter in less complimentary terms.

  14.49 Of the sons of Saul listed here only Jonathan has a role in the biblical narrative. Ishvi, however, may be the same as Ishbaal, Saul’s successor (see 2 Sam 2.8); the list of Saul’s sons who died with him on Mount Gilboa does not mention Ishvi and adds another name, Abinadab (1 Sam 31.2). For Merab and Michal, see 18.17–30.