King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down [one another].
Complete Jewish Bible:
Sha'ul's men on watch in Giv'at-Binyamin could see the enemy camp scattering and running in all directions.
Berean Standard Bible:
Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction,
American Standard Version:
And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went hither and thither.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the watchmen{H6822} of Saul{H7586} in Gibeah{H1390} of Benjamin{H1144} looked{H7200}; and, behold, the multitude{H1995} melted away{H4127}, and they went{H3212} on beating down{H1986} one another.
Cross-References (KJV):
Judges 7:22
- And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, [and] to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.
Isaiah 19:2
- And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, [and] kingdom against kingdom.
1 Samuel 14:20
- And Saul and all the people that [were] with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, [and there was] a very great discomfiture.
Psalms 68:2
- As smoke is driven away, [so] drive [them] away: as wax melteth before the fire, [so] let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
Psalms 58:7
- Let them melt away as waters [which] run continually: [when] he bendeth [his bow to shoot] his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.
2 Chronicles 20:22
- And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
2 Chronicles 20:25
- And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.
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Commentary for 1 Samuel 14:16
1 Samuel 14:16 is set within the larger narrative of the ongoing conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines during the period of the Judges. At this point in the story, Saul is the first king of Israel, and his son Jonathan has just taken bold, faith-filled action against a Philistine garrison with only his armor-bearer by his side (1 Samuel 14:1-15).
The verse in question captures a moment of confusion and disarray within the Philistine camp as a result of Jonathan's surprise attack. The watchmen of Saul, located in Gibeah, the hometown of Saul in the territory of Benjamin, observe the Philistine forces in a state of disorder. The phrase "the multitude melted away" indicates that the Philistine army is retreating in panic, and the added detail that they are "beating down [one another]" suggests that in their hasty flight, they are causing harm to each other, possibly trampling or striking those in their path.
This verse highlights several themes:
1. **Divine Intervention**: Jonathan's earlier victory and the subsequent rout of the Philistines are seen as acts of divine intervention, where a small force achieves a disproportionate victory due to God's favor, a common theme in the Bible.
2. **Leadership and Courage**: Jonathan's initiative and bravery stand in contrast to the fear and indecision of his father, King Saul, who has not yet joined the battle. This reflects the theme of leadership by example and the importance of courage in the face of overwhelming odds.
3. **Chaos of War**: The description of the Philistines in disarray underscores the chaos and confusion that can characterize the battlefield, often leading to self-inflicted harm among the ranks of the defeated.
4. **Observation and Response**: The watchmen's role is crucial as they observe the enemy's disintegration, which should prompt a strategic response from Saul's forces. This illustrates the importance of situational awareness and timely action in warfare.
In summary, 1 Samuel 14:16 captures a pivotal moment of divine deliverance and the consequences of bold leadership, as well as the destructive nature of war, all set against the backdrop of the early monarchy in Israel's history.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6822
There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָפָה
Transliteration: tsâphâh
Pronunciation: tsaw-faw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await; behold, espy, look up (well), wait for, (keep the) watch(-man). - Strong's Number: H7586
There are 335 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאוּל
Transliteration: Shâʼûwl
Pronunciation: shaw-ool'
Description: passive participle of שָׁאַל; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites; Saul, Shaul. - Strong's Number: H1390
There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גִּבְעָה
Transliteration: Gibʻâh
Pronunciation: ghib-aw'
Description: the same as גִּבְעָה; Gibah; the name of three places in Palestine; Gibeah, the hill. - Strong's Number: H1144
There are 156 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בִּנְיָמִין
Transliteration: Binyâmîyn
Pronunciation: bin-yaw-mene'
Description: from בֵּן and יָמִין; son of (the) right hand; Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; Benjamin. - Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H1995
There are 78 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָמוֹן
Transliteration: hâmôwn
Pronunciation: haw-mone'
Description: or הָמֹן; (Ezekiel 5:7), from הָמָה; a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth; abundance, company, many, multitude, multiply, noise, riches, rumbling, sounding, store, tumult. - Strong's Number: H4127
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּג
Transliteration: mûwg
Pronunciation: moog
Description: a primitive root; to melt, i.e. literally (to soften, flow down, disappear), or figuratively (to fear, faint); consume, dissolve, (be) faint(-hearted), melt (away), make soft. - Strong's Number: H3212
There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַךְ
Transliteration: yâlak
Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. - Strong's Number: H1986
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָלַם
Transliteration: hâlam
Pronunciation: haw-lam'
Description: a primitive root; to strike down; by implication, to hammer, stamp, conquer, disband; beat (down), break (down), overcome, smite (with the hammer).