1 Samuel 14:15

And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.

And there was trembling {H2731} in the host {H4264}, in the field {H7704}, and among all the people {H5971}: the garrison {H4673}, and the spoilers {H7843}, they also trembled {H2729}, and the earth {H776} quaked {H7264}: so it was a very great {H430} trembling {H2731}.

There was panic in the field camp among all the P'lishtim; likewise, the garrison and the raiding party panicked. Besides all this, there was an earthquake; thus it grew into panic caused by God.

Then terror struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked and panic spread from God.

And there was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled; and the earth quaked: so there was an exceeding great trembling.

Commentary

1 Samuel 14:15 describes a pivotal moment in the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines, where God's supernatural intervention dramatically shifts the tide in favor of Israel. This verse captures the overwhelming fear and chaos that seized the Philistine forces, signifying a divine hand at work.

Context

This verse is set during a time of Philistine oppression over Israel, detailed earlier in 1 Samuel 13. King Saul's army was significantly outnumbered and poorly equipped, lacking even swords and spears. It is against this backdrop of apparent helplessness that Jonathan, Saul's son, accompanied only by his armor-bearer, launched a daring, faith-filled attack on a Philistine garrison at Michmash (1 Samuel 14:6-14). Their initial success, killing about twenty men, was the spark that ignited the scene described in verse 15.

Key Themes

  • Divine Intervention: The "trembling" and the "earth quaked" are not random occurrences but clear manifestations of God fighting for His people. This divine panic disoriented the Philistines and caused internal chaos, allowing Israel to gain an advantage. This illustrates God's ability to intervene powerfully on behalf of those who trust in Him, often turning overwhelming odds into victory.
  • Fear and Confusion: The Philistine "host," "garrison," and even the "spoilers" (raiding parties) were gripped by an inexplicable, profound fear. This collective panic led to disarray, likely causing them to turn on each other or flee in confusion. It highlights the psychological warfare God sometimes employs against His enemies.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Creation: The accompanying earthquake underscores God's absolute control over natural phenomena, using them as instruments of His will. Just as He caused the Red Sea to part or walls to fall, here He uses the earth itself to aid His purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "trembling" used here is charadah (Χ—Χ¨Χ“Χ”), which conveys a deep sense of dread, terror, and panic. It's not just a physical shaking but an internal, paralyzing fear that grips the mind and body. The phrase "the earth quaked" uses the Hebrew word ra'ash (Χ¨Χ’Χ©), which specifically refers to a shaking or trembling, often used for an earthquake. The combination of this internal panic and external geological upheaval emphasizes the supernatural and overwhelming nature of the event.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 14:15 offers profound encouragement for believers facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. It reminds us that:

  • God Fights Our Battles: Even when our resources are few and our enemies strong, God is able to intervene supernaturally. Our faith, like Jonathan's, can be the catalyst for God's mighty acts.
  • God Can Turn Fear into Victory: What might appear as overwhelming odds can be transformed by God into confusion and panic among those who oppose His will.
  • Trust in Divine Power: This verse calls us to place our trust not in human strength or strategy, but in the omnipotent power of God, who can use both natural and supernatural means to accomplish His purposes. It echoes the sentiment that "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 13:17

    And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way [that leadeth to] Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:

  • Genesis 35:5

    And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that [were] round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.

  • Exodus 19:18

    And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

  • 2 Kings 7:6

    For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, [even] the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.

  • 2 Kings 7:7

    Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it [was], and fled for their life.

  • 2 Samuel 5:24

    And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

  • Joshua 2:9

    And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.
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