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1 SAMUEL CHAPTER 14
Jonathan and his armour-bearer secretly smite the Philistines’ army; they slay one another, 1Sa_14:1-15; which being perceived, 1Sa_14:16,17, Saul pursueth the Philistines, the captivated and hidden Israelites join in the pursuit, 1Sa_14:18-23. Saul adjureth the people not to eat any thing till evening. Jonathan eateth honey: the Philistines are smitten, 1Sa_14:24-31. The people eat flesh with the blood: Saul restraineth them, and buildeth an altar, 1Sa_14:32-35. Design to pursue the Philistines by night, he consults God, who answers not: he casts a lot to find out the cause: Jonathan is taken: Saul dooms him to die: the people rescue him, 1Sa_14:36-45. Saul’s wars, sons, daughters, wife, 1Sa_14:46-52.
This was a rash and foolish attempt, if it be examined by common rules; but not so, if we consider the singular promises made to the Israelites, that one should chase a thousand, &c., and especially the heroical and extraordinary motions which were then frequently put into the minds of gallant men by God’s Spirit, whereby they undertook and accomplished noble and wonderful things; as did Samson, and David, and his worthies.
On the other side; beyond that rocky passage described below, 1Sa_14:4,13, which he pointed at with his hand.
He told not his father, lest he should hinder him in so improbable an enterprise. Nor was it necessary he should inform him of it, because he had a commission from his father to fight when he saw occasion, as he had done without his father’s privity, 1Sa_13:3.