Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 13:23
And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.
23. the passage of Michmash ] By “the passage of Michmash,” mentioned also In the description of Sennacherib’s march upon Jerusalem in Isa 10:29, is meant the deep ravine now known as the Wady es-Suweinit ( 1Sa 13:2, note). The Philistines threw out an advanced post from their main camp to one of the bluffs on the very edge of the valley, with the view of watching the Israelites in Geba opposite, and preventing a surprise attack on their camp. It was this post which Jonathan attacked.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The passage of Michmash – The steep and precipitous path from Michmash to Geba, over the valley of Suweinit. The same term is used in Isa 10:28-29, where the march of the Assyrian army is described.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
A place so called, because it was near to Michmash, and led towards Gibeah, which, it seems, they designed to besiege, and in the mean time to waste the adjoining country.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash. According to Jarchi, these two places, Michmash where the Philistines were, and Gibeah where Saul and Jonathan were, lay on two hills over against each other, and there was a valley between them; and the garrison of the Philistines drew nigh to the passage of Michmash, which led to the side of Gibeah, to the valley between them, either with an intention to besiege Gibeah, or to dare Israel to come out and fight them: but rather it seems to be some strong pass between the rocks near Michmash, where the garrison placed themselves to guard and keep against any sudden surprise; see 1Sa 14:4. The Targum is,
“the governor of the Philistines went out to the ford or passage of Michmash;”
and Kimchi interprets it of the princes or generals of the army; these might go to mark out a camp, and pitch upon a proper place to draw up in a line of battle.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(23) The garrison of the Philistines went out.These words form an introduction to the recital of the heroic deed of Jonathan related in the following chapter. The Philistines are represented as sending forward an armed detachment, or out-post detachment, beyond the camp of Michmash, as a protection against a surprise on the part of the Israelitic force under the king and his son.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
23. The passage of Michmash This was the deep, wild Wady es-Suweinit, which lies between Geba and Michmash, of which Dr. Robinson says, (Bib. Res., vol. i, p. 441:) “It begins in the neighbourhood of Beitin and el-Bireh; and as it breaks through the ridge below these places its sides form precipitous wails. On the right, about a quarter of an hour below where we crossed, it again contracts, and passes off between high perpendicular precipices.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.’
Meanwhile the Philistines, aware of Saul’s small guerilla force, sent a smallish garrison to a peak on the pass of Michmash so as to keep watch over the camp of the Israel contingent, and over the general countryside. They were no doubt also well aware that there was an army of unknown size hidden in the hills. But it would seem that they had little fear about what that army could do to them. To them it had become a standing joke (1Sa 14:11).
We must not overlook the bravery both of Saul and of his small army. They had come from the relative security of Gilgal, leaving their ‘army’ cowering among the hills, and, lacking in suitable weapons, had come out in order to keep an eye on the activities of the Philistines, even though it must have seemed that they could not do much about them. Their only available tactic seemed to be to wait and keep the Philistines from venturing further into the mountain country, while at the same time hoping that God would do something that would enable them to gain an advantage over the Philistines. Should that happen they could act and call in some of their reserves. But the situation did not look promising. And so with their primitive ‘weapons’ they waited in their mountain stronghold, helplessly watching the Philistine activities, and thinking ‘if only YHWH would do something’. (Which is in fact precisely what He was planning to do. For there was still one man who was attentive to His voice).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
REFLECTIONS
READER! mark with me, the very awful state of an unrenewed mind, in the conduct of Saul. No situation, no providences, however prosperous, in themselves; no elevation in rank, or power, can produce real comfort, or happiness, while the heart remains carnal, and unregenerated by grace. The Lord had given Saul a kingdom: and the Lord had turned him from the pursuit of his father’s asses, to the pursuit of government; but Saul, though another man, as the scripture terms it, in outward things, remained the same man, as to vital godliness. Learn Reader here from, that it is not a change of place, or rank, or circumstances, that availeth anything; but the putting of the old man which is corrupt, according to the deceitful lusts, and the being renewed in the spirit of the mind: and the putting on the new man, which after God, is created in righteousness, and true holiness.
Precious Jesus! grant me grace to learn once more from hence, in the view of Saul’s profanation of thy Priestly office, how infinitely important must be the view of thy alone offering, and priesthood, in the sight of Jehovah; and how rejoiced my soul ought to be, in taking shelter under thy holy censer! Yes! dearest Lord! thou, and thou alone, art a Priest forever, by oath, and the solemn inauguration of thy God and Father. Taken from among men, as it concerned thy manhood, thou wast called to this office from all eternity. And as it relates to thine eternal power and Godhead, thine own glorious perfections, and attributes, become the golden altar, on which, and from whence, the saving efficacy of the whole priesthood, derive their importance. From both, may my soul find continual comfort, and confidence. Never, like Saul, may I bring my poor offerings, or fancied peace offerings, without an eye to thy precious, and all-sufficient sacrifice: for it is thou only, dearest Lord, that canst make, or hath made, our peace in the blood of the cross. To seek acceptance another way, though with the most costly rites, as Saul did, is to show contempt to thy person, thy blood, and thy finished righteousness; and to call down the vengeance of heaven. But while, through the influence of the Holy Ghost, my soul is enabled to look stedfastly to thee, and to rely on thy precious, all atoning blood, and sacrifice, for acceptance with God, and the Father; let . me, blessed Jesus, every day, and all the day, be continually coming in thy name, and righteousness, boldly to the throne of grace, that I may find mercy, and grace to help, in all times of need.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Sa 13:23 And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.
Ver. 23. To the passage of Michmash. ] A place of advantage, kept till now by Saul’s soldiers.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
garrison = post, or permanent camp.
passage = pass.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
garrison: or, standing camp, 1Sa 13:3, 1Sa 14:4
passage: 1Sa 13:2, 1Sa 13:5, 1Sa 14:1, 1Sa 14:4, 1Sa 14:5, Isa 10:28
Reciprocal: 1Sa 13:11 – Michmash 1Sa 14:15 – the spoilers 2Sa 23:14 – garrison 1Ch 11:16 – the Philistines’ Ezr 2:27 – Michmas Neh 7:31 – Michmas Neh 11:31 – at Michmash Isa 10:29 – the passage
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 13:23. And the garrison of the Philistines went out This probably refers to the garrison mentioned in the beginning of the next chapter. And Michmash seems to have been the name of the garrison, not of the passage: as if it had been said, The garrison of the Philistines in Michmash went out to the passage. For Michmash, it appears, was upon a high hill, as Gibeah was, between which places was a valley, called here a passage, into which the garrison descended to invite the Israelites to battle.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Sa 13:23 to 1Sa 14:15. The ancient narrative, continuing 1Sa 13:18. Saul was at Geba (see on 1Sa 13:2), having with him the priest Ahijah, carrying the ephodhere not a garment, but some article used in casting the sacred lot (see 1Sa 2:28*, Jdg 8:27). A valley lay between the two camps, dominated on either side by a steep crag, called respectively Bozez, Shining, and Seneh, Thorny. Unknown to Saul and the Israelites, Jonathan and his armourbearer descended into the valley, exchanged taunts with the Philistines on the crag above, climbed up, took the enemy by surprise, and, assisted by an earthquake (1Sa 13:15), created a panic amongst them.
1Sa 13:2. Migron: not identified.
1Sa 13:14 b. The text is corrupt and it is not clear how it should be restored.