1 Samuel 14:23

So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.

So the LORD {H3068} saved {H3467} Israel {H3478} that day {H3117}: and the battle {H4421} passed over {H5674} unto Bethaven {H1007}.

So ADONAI saved Isra'el that day, and the battle spread as far as Beit-Aven.

So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle moved on beyond Beth-aven.

So Jehovah saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over by Beth-aven.

Commentary

1 Samuel 14:23 serves as a powerful summary statement, concluding the dramatic events of a pivotal battle between Israel and the Philistines. It underscores the ultimate source of Israel's victory, attributing it directly to divine intervention.

Context

This verse follows a day of intense conflict and high drama. Earlier in chapter 14, King Saul's son, Jonathan, with only his armor-bearer, initiated a daring raid against a Philistine garrison at Michmash. This act of faith, detailed in 1 Samuel 14:6, sparked panic among the Philistines, which was further amplified by "a very great trembling" sent by God. The resulting confusion led to the Philistines fighting among themselves, allowing Saul's previously disheartened Israelite army to join the pursuit. However, Saul's rash vow prohibiting his soldiers from eating until evening, mentioned in 1 Samuel 14:24, hindered the full extent of the victory and caused great distress among the people. Despite these human elements – Jonathan's bravery, Saul's folly, and the army's fatigue – the verse emphatically declares the true reason for the day's success.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance: The central message is that the victory was not merely a result of Jonathan's valor or Israel's military might, but primarily the work of the LORD. This highlights God's active involvement in the affairs of His people, providing salvation when they were under severe Philistine oppression.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even amidst human successes and failures, God's plan and power prevail. He can use a small act of faith (Jonathan's raid) and turn chaos into a decisive victory, demonstrating His control over battles and nations (compare Proverbs 21:31).
  • The Extent of Victory: The phrase "the battle passed over unto Bethaven" indicates the significant extent of the Philistine rout, signifying a deep penetration into enemy territory or a complete dispersal of their forces.

Linguistic Insights

The word "LORD" in the KJV, capitalized, represents the Hebrew personal name of God, YHWH (often pronounced Jehovah or Yahweh), emphasizing His covenant faithfulness and active presence. The Hebrew verb for "saved" is yasha' (יָשַׁע), which means "to deliver," "to help," "to save," or "to give victory." It is a foundational term for God's redemptive acts throughout the Old Testament, often carrying the connotation of military liberation. "Bethaven" (בֵּית אָוֶן) means "house of wickedness" or "house of vanity," a name sometimes applied to nearby Bethel (meaning "house of God") in later prophetic literature to denote idolatry, but here likely serves as a geographical marker.

Practical Application and Reflection

This verse reminds believers that ultimate victory and salvation come from God, not from human strength, cleverness, or even valiant efforts alone. While Jonathan's faith was commendable, and the Israelite army fought, the divine hand was the decisive factor. For us today, whether facing personal challenges, spiritual battles, or collective struggles, the principle remains: we are called to act in faith and obedience, but we must always look to the LORD as our ultimate deliverer. Our efforts are significant, but God's power is paramount. It encourages us to acknowledge God's hand in our triumphs and to trust in His ability to bring deliverance, even when circumstances seem overwhelming, much like the Israelites experienced before this miraculous turn of events (see Psalm 3:8).

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 14:30 (7 votes)

    Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.

  • 1 Samuel 13:5 (5 votes)

    And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which [is] on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.

  • Psalms 44:6 (4 votes)

    For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.

  • Psalms 44:8 (4 votes)

    In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.

  • Hosea 1:7 (3 votes)

    But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.

  • 2 Kings 14:27 (2 votes)

    And the LORD said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.

  • Judges 2:18 (2 votes)

    And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.