Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 14:10

But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this [shall be] a sign unto us.

10. this shall be a sign unto us ] “The sign” is clearly regarded by Jonathan as an intimation of the Divine will. Cp. Gen 24:14; Jdg 6:36 ff., and ch. 1Sa 2:34, note.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Though it is not expressly said, as in the case of Gideon Jdg 6:34, Othniel Jdg 3:10, and others, that the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, yet the whole course of the narrative, especially 1Sa 14:13-16, indicates an extraordinary divine interposition.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Jonathan not being assured of the success of this present exploit, desires a sign; and by the instinct of Gods Spirit, as the success shows, pitched upon this. Divers such heroical motions and extraordinary impulses there were among great and good men in ancient times; as Gen 24:13; Jdg 6:37; which are not precedents to us.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

But if they say unto us, come up unto us,…. Which however spoken in contempt of them, yet would discover some fear, that they did not care to come out of their hold to them, and expose themselves to any danger; and besides being bid to come up, though it might be in a sneering ironical way, as supposing it impracticable for them; yet this would lead them on to make the attempt; and while the men were careless and secure, they might obtain their point:

then we will go up: the precipice, which was supposed impassable:

for the Lord hath delivered them into our hands: they being afraid to come out, and scornful and self-confident in their garrison: and this shall be a sign unto us; a direction how to behave, what steps to take, and a confirming sign assuring of success. Bishop Patrick and others observe, from Herodotus o, something similar to this, of the Paeonians, who went to war with the Perinthians, directed by the oracle; and were ordered that if the Perinthians provoked them to fight, calling them by name, then they should invade them; but, if not, should abstain; and so they did, and overcame; for when they met, there were three single combats; in the two first the Perinthians were conquerors, and began to triumph and insult; upon which the Paeonians said to one another, now is the oracle fulfilled, now is our business, and so fell upon them, and left few of them.

o Terpsichore, sive, l. 5. c. 1.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

10. Come up unto us This invitation from the men of the Philistine garrison they would regard as a sign from Jehovah a prophecy of success. “It was not tempting God for Jonathan to fix upon such a sign by which to determine the success of his enterprise, for he did it in the exercise of his calling, when fighting not for personal objects, but for the kingdom of God, which the uncircumcised were threatening to annihilate. He did it in the most confident belief that the Lord would deliver and preserve his people; and such faith as this God would not put to shame.” Keil.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments