1 Samuel 14:20

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Saul {H7586} and all the people {H5971} that were with him assembled {H2199} themselves, and they came {H935} to the battle {H4421}: and, behold, every man's {H376} sword {H2719} was against his fellow {H7453}, and there was a very {H3966} great {H1419} discomfiture {H4103}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sha'ul and the entire force with him assembled and went to battle, but they found the P'lishtim all fighting each other in utter confusion.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor.

American Standard Version

And Saul and all the people that were with him were gathered together, and came to the battle: and, behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 14:20 vividly captures the dramatic climax of the battle between Israel and the Philistines, revealing a divinely orchestrated pandemonium within the enemy ranks. As King Saul and his forces finally mobilize and arrive at the scene, they discover the Philistines in utter chaos, turning their weapons upon one another in a profound and self-destructive rout. This verse powerfully underscores God's sovereign intervention in delivering His people, transforming a seemingly insurmountable military challenge into a scene of miraculous victory that highlights His power and faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse serves as the culmination of Jonathan's audacious and faith-filled initiative detailed in [1 Samuel 14:1-15](/1_samuel/14-1-15 "1 Samuel 14:1-15 - Jonathan's Bold Attack on the Philistines"). Prior to this, Israel was severely disadvantaged, lacking weapons and demoralized under oppressive Philistine control, as grimly described in [1 Samuel 13:19-22](/1_samuel/13-19-22 "1 Samuel 13:19-22 - Philistine Monopoly on Iron"). Jonathan, accompanied only by his armor-bearer, launched a surprise attack on a Philistine garrison, trusting solely in the Lord for victory. His initial success, combined with a divinely sent "trembling" or earthquake mentioned in [1 Samuel 14:15](/1_samuel/14-15 "1 Samuel 14:15 - Divine Trembling and Panic"), set the stage for the complete disarray depicted in verse 20. Saul, initially hesitant and focused on ritual, finally joins the fray, only to find the battle already won by miraculous divine means.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of Saul's reign was characterized by constant tension and warfare with the Philistines, a technologically superior and militarily dominant force in the region. The Philistines controlled key strategic points and maintained a monopoly on iron weaponry, effectively disarming the Israelites and preventing them from forging their own tools or weapons. This historical backdrop, where Israel was at a significant disadvantage, magnifies the miraculous nature of the victory. The "discomfiture" described in the verse would have been a profoundly humiliating and devastating blow to the Philistines, who relied on their military might and organized formations. Such internal strife was an uncommon and highly effective form of defeat, often attributed to divine intervention in ancient Near Eastern warfare narratives, signifying a deity's direct hand in the outcome.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme powerfully highlighted in this passage is **Divine Intervention and Sovereignty**. God actively fights for His people, demonstrating that victory does not depend on human strength or numbers, but on His omnipotent power, as seen when [the Lord fought for Israel at the Red Sea](/exodus/14-14 "Exodus 14:14 - The Lord Will Fight for You"). This verse also underscores the theme of **Faith as a Catalyst for Deliverance**, as Jonathan's bold act of trust, despite overwhelming odds, initiated the chain of events that led to God's miraculous intervention, a faith evident in his declaration in [1 Samuel 14:6](/1_samuel/14-6 "1 Samuel 14:6 - Jonathan's Faith Declaration"). Finally, the **Confusion and Self-Destruction of God's Enemies** is a recurring motif in biblical warfare, where God causes adversaries to turn on themselves, as also witnessed in the account of Gideon's victory over the Midianites in [Judges 7:22](/judges/7-22 "Judges 7:22 - Midianites Turn on Themselves").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Assembled (Hebrew, _zâʻaq'_):** While the KJV translates this as "assembled themselves," the primitive root _zâʻaq_ (H2199) primarily means "to shriek (from anguish or danger)" or "to announce/convene publicly." In this context, the Niphal form (passive/reflexive) suggests that Saul and his people were "called together" or "summoned" to the battle, likely in response to the commotion and the Philistine retreat. This implies a hasty, perhaps even chaotic, gathering, highlighting their reactive rather than proactive engagement in the decisive moment. They did not initiate the battle's turning point but responded to God's unfolding work.
* **Sword (Hebrew, _chereb'_):** The word _chereb_ (H2719) refers to a cutting instrument, specifically a sword, knife, or other sharp implement. In this verse, the repeated mention of "every man's sword was against his fellow" emphasizes the instrument of self-destruction. It is not Israel's swords that bring victory, but the Philistines' own weapons turned against themselves, highlighting the ironic and divinely orchestrated nature of their defeat. The sword, typically a symbol of power and conquest, becomes an instrument of internal chaos and demise.
* **Discomfiture (Hebrew, _mᵉhûwmâh'_):** This powerful noun, _mᵉhûwmâh_ (H4103), denotes a state of profound panic, confusion, tumult, and utter rout. It carries a strong connotation of divine causation, often referring to a supernatural terror or disorientation inflicted by God upon an enemy. It is far more than a mere military defeat; it signifies a divinely-induced psychological and organizational breakdown that leads directly to self-destruction. The term emphasizes the supernatural nature of the Philistine's collapse, indicating that their undoing was not merely a tactical error but an act of God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Saul and all the people that [were] with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle":** This initial clause describes the belated mobilization of Saul's main army. After Jonathan's initial, faith-driven assault and the subsequent divine trembling among the Philistines, Saul finally brings his forces to the edge of the Philistine camp. The "assembling" here is likely a rapid response to the sounds of chaos and the Philistine retreat, indicating they arrived as the divine intervention was already in full effect, rather than initiating the decisive blow themselves. Their arrival confirms the extent of the Philistine disarray.
* **"and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow":** This is the dramatic core of the verse, providing a vivid snapshot of the internal chaos and self-destruction within the Philistine ranks. Driven by divine panic and disorientation, they could no longer distinguish friend from foe, turning their weapons upon each other. This imagery signifies a complete breakdown of command, cohesion, and rational thought, rendering them utterly ineffective as a fighting force. It is the direct and astonishing result of God's supernatural intervention, a clear sign that the Lord was fighting for Israel.
* **"[and there was] a very great discomfiture":** This concluding phrase summarizes the profound outcome of the internal strife. The "discomfiture" (_mᵉhûwmâh_) emphasizes the profound, divinely-induced panic and rout that consumed the Philistine army. It was not merely a defeat but a catastrophic, self-inflicted collapse, confirming that God Himself was the primary agent of Israel's victory. The intensifying phrase "very great" underscores the immense scale and severity of this divinely orchestrated chaos, leaving no doubt about the miraculous nature of the deliverance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse powerfully employs **Divine Irony**, where the expected military confrontation is subverted by God's direct intervention, causing the enemy to defeat themselves. Instead of Israel's swords bringing victory, the Philistines' own swords become the instruments of their destruction, highlighting God's sovereignty and His ability to work in unexpected ways. Furthermore, the phrase "every man's sword was against his fellow" uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme and pervasive nature of the confusion, suggesting a complete and total breakdown of order that consumed the Philistine army from within. The chaos itself can be seen as almost **Personification**, a tangible, destructive force that demonstrates the overwhelming power of divine judgment and the utter helplessness of those who oppose God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This pivotal moment in 1 Samuel 14:20 profoundly illustrates God's active and sovereign involvement in the affairs of His people, particularly in warfare. It underscores the theological truth that ultimate victory belongs to the Lord, not to human might or strategic brilliance. When God chooses to act, He can dismantle the strongest adversaries through unconventional means, turning their own strengths or numbers against them. This event serves as a powerful reminder that faith in God's power, as exemplified by Jonathan, can unleash divine forces that far surpass any human capacity, bringing about deliverance in seemingly impossible situations. It teaches reliance on God's supernatural intervention rather than solely on human resources, fostering a deep trust in His ability to confound the plans of the wicked and deliver His faithful.

* [Exodus 14:14](/exodus/14-14 "Exodus 14:14 - The Lord Will Fight for You")
* [Judges 7:22](/judges/7-22 "Judges 7:22 - Gideon's Army and Midianite Confusion")
* [2 Chronicles 20:23](/2_chronicles/20-23 "2 Chronicles 20:23 - Ammonites and Moabites Destroy Each Other")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene described in 1 Samuel 14:20 offers profound encouragement for believers facing overwhelming challenges today. Just as God sowed confusion among the Philistines, He is capable of disrupting the plans of our adversaries, whether they are spiritual strongholds, relational conflicts, or circumstantial pressures. This verse reminds us that our battles are not always won by direct confrontation or superior strength, but often by God's unseen, sovereign hand working behind the scenes. It calls us to cultivate a "Jonathan-like" faith—a willingness to step out in obedience and trust, even when the odds seem insurmountable, knowing that our God can turn chaos into victory. We are invited to release our anxieties and rely on His power, recognizing that He can cause the very things that oppose us to unravel from within. This passage fosters a deep sense of peace and confidence, knowing that the Lord fights for us and that His methods are often beyond our comprehension, yet always perfectly effective.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel overwhelmed by "Philistine" challenges, and how might this verse encourage you to trust in God's unconventional methods of deliverance?**
* **How does Jonathan's initial act of faith, preceding this divine intervention, inspire your own willingness to step out in obedience even when you cannot see the full outcome?**
* **What "discomfitures" or internal confusions might God be orchestrating in situations that seem to oppose His will in your life or in the world, and how can you discern His hand at work?**

### FAQ
**What does "every man's sword was against his fellow" mean literally and spiritually?**

Answer: Literally, this phrase describes a scene of utter pandemonium where the Philistine soldiers, overwhelmed by a divinely-induced panic (the "discomfiture" or _mehumah_), lost all cohesion and began attacking each other instead of the Israelite enemy. They could no longer distinguish friend from foe, leading to self-inflicted casualties and a complete breakdown of their military formation. Spiritually, it signifies God's sovereign power to sow confusion and division among those who oppose His purposes. It illustrates that God doesn't always need a direct human army to win battles; He can cause the enemies of His people to defeat themselves. This concept is seen elsewhere in scripture, such as when the Lord set ambushes against the Ammonites and Moabites, causing them to destroy each other in [2 Chronicles 20:23](/2_chronicles/20-23 "2 Chronicles 20:23 - Mutual Destruction of Enemies"). It's a powerful demonstration that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His intervention can be subtle yet devastatingly effective, reminding us that true victory belongs to Him alone.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Samuel 14:20 describes a physical victory achieved through divine chaos, it powerfully foreshadows the ultimate spiritual victory won by Christ. Just as God caused the Philistines to turn their swords on themselves, Christ, through His crucifixion and resurrection, brought about the ultimate "discomfiture" of the spiritual enemies of humanity—sin, death, and the devil. On the cross, it appeared as though evil had triumphed, yet it was precisely through this paradoxical act that Satan's power was broken, and his kingdom thrown into confusion. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers") declares that Christ "disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." This echoes the chaos of 1 Samuel 14:20, where the enemy's own actions (or internal disarray) led to their downfall. Christ's victory was not achieved through conventional warfare but through a profound act of self-sacrifice, leading to the ultimate confusion and defeat of spiritual adversaries, securing eternal peace and deliverance for all who believe, as promised in [John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Christ's Victory Over the World") and further affirmed in [Romans 8:37-39](/romans/8-37-39 "Romans 8:37-39 - More Than Conquerors Through Christ Jesus").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 20:23

For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy [them]: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.

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.

1 Samuel 14:16

¶ And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down [one another].

Isaiah 9:19

Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.

Isaiah 9:21

Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: [and] they together [shall be] against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

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.