Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 14:14
And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armorbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were a half acre of land, [which] a yoke [of oxen might plow].
14. within as it were a half acre of land which a yoke of oxen might plow ] Lit. in about half a furrow of a yoke of land. “A yoke of land” may denote such a piece of land as a yoke of oxen would plough in one day, a natural measure for an agricultural people to use. “The furrow of a yoke” will then denote the length of one side of such a square measure. The point appears to be that the garrison was cut to pieces in a comparatively short distance.
The Sept. however (unless its rendering is mere conjecture) represents a different reading: “And the first slaughter was with darts and slings and stones of the field.” But Jonathan at any rate was better armed (1Sa 13:22), and it is hard to see the point of mentioning the weapons with which the first slaughter was accomplished.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Within as it were an half acre … – The Hebrew text is extremely obscure. Hence, there is some probability that the true reading is preserved by the Septuagint which translates the clause with darts and stones and flints of the field. Others take the words to mean: in about half the time that a yoke of oxen draw a furrow in the field.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 14. A half acre of land] The ancients measured land by the quantum which a yoke of oxen could plough in a day. The original is obscure, and is variously understood. It is probably a proverbial expression for a very small space.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
14, 15. that first slaughter, whichJonathan and his armour-bearer made, was about twenty men, within asit were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plowThiswas a very ancient mode of measurement, and it still subsists in theEast. The men who saw them scrambling up the rock had been surprisedand killed, and the spectacle of twenty corpses would suggest toothers that they were attacked by a numerous force. The success ofthe adventure was aided by a panic that struck the enemy, producedboth by the sudden surprise and the shock of an earthquake. The featwas begun and achieved by the faith of Jonathan, and the issue was ofGod.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the first slaughter which Jonathan and his armourbearer made was about twenty men,…. Or the first blow they struck, as the Targum, they killed about twenty men; that is, they did not stop smiting, but followed their blows so quickly, that in a very little time, as well as in a very small space of ground, so many were killed:
even within as it were an half acre of land, which a “yoke” of oxen might plough; that is, in one day; the word is used for a furrow, Ps 129:3 and is supposed by some p to be the length of one furrow; but if so, it must be a circular furrow; so much ground was given to Horatius Cocles as could be ploughed round about in one day, for his brave opposition to Porsena, king of the Etruscans, when he endeavoured to restore the family of the Tarquins q. This was a space of ground which the Romans call “actus”, a measure of land one hundred and twenty feet square, which being doubled made an acre, called by them “jugerum”, being as much as a yoke of oxen could plough in one day, as Pliny says r; so that an acre was two hundred and forty feet long, and one hundred and twenty broad, and contained an area of 28,800 four square Roman feet; and this space here mentioned, which was half an acre, contained 14,400 Roman feet s; and within this space of ground, without going any further, twenty men were killed, which struck a panic into the whole garrison and host, supposing there was a large army of men behind them coming on, as follows. The Septuagint version renders these words as representing the slaughter made “with darts, and the casts of stones, and flints of the field” t.
p Vid. David. de Pomis Lexic. fol. 129. 1. q Aurel. Victor. de vir. illustr. c. 14. Liv. Hist. l. 2. c. 10. r Nat. Hist. l. 18. c. 3. Vid. Alex. ab Alex. Genial. Dier. l. 2. c. 20. s Vid. Scheuchzer. Physic. Sacr. p. 487. t See Dr. Kennicett’s Dissertat. 1. p. 453.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(14) And that first slaughter . . .Considerable doubt exists as to the exact meaning of this verse. The LXX. either had here a different text before them, or else translated, as has been suggested, conjecturally, what they did not understand; their rendering is about twenty men, with darts and slings and stones of the field. Ewald explains the Hebrew words as follows: At the very beginning he strikes down about twenty men at once, as if a yoke of land were in course of being ploughed, which must beware of offering opposition to the sharp ploughshare in the middle of its work. The simplest interpretation seems to be that twenty men were smitten down, one after the other, in the distance of half a rood of land. Bunsen considers this verse an extract from a poet.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. A half acre of land Literally, Within about half a furrow of a yoke of land; that is, half a furrow’s length. A yoke of land is what a yoke of oxen would plough in a day. So the Latin word for acre is jugerum, from jugum, a yoke. This first slaughter made by Jonathan and his companion was, therefore, within a comparatively small space of ground.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Sa 14:14. That first slaughter, &c. The expression in this verse, possibly, was proverbial. It imports only, that this slaughter was made in a very small compass: that Jonathan slew twenty men within the space of half an acre of ground. This sudden and unexpected attack of Jonathan’s threw them into a panic fear; and as their army consisted, it is most likely, of different nations, (see chap. 1Sa 13:5.) they fell into the greater confusion, as not understanding, and perhaps suspecting each other. Pindar has finely observed upon panic fears, that “when men are struck with divine terrors, even the children of the gods, i.e. the most heroic spirits, betake themselves to flight.” Nero. ix. ver. 63. Some have supposed from the expression, 1Sa 14:15 and the earth quaked, that the Lord sent a real earthquake to terrify them: but the expression is figurative; meaning that the whole place, the whole district where the Philistine army was encamped, was in an extraordinary emotion. The French version renders the 15th verse very intelligibly. And there was a great terror in the camp, in the field, and among the people. The garrison and the spoilers were terrified; and the place was in consternation, as if a mighty terror had been sent by God. We refer to Hallet, vol. 2: p. 21 and Kennicott’s Dissertation, vol. 1: p. 453 for some critical observations on the 14th verse.
REFLECTIONS.Never did Israel appear in a more distressed situation: they have neither courage nor arms; God is offended; their enemies are at the gate; and they without place to flee to, or power to resist: but, for his own name’s sake, God will not utterly forsake his people, though they so justly deserve it. We have here,
1. Saul reduced to the greatest straits; no increase of his army; retired to the uttermost part of Gibeah, for the greater security, or more ready flight, if the Philistines advanced; his tent spread under a grove of pomegranates. Hither, to consult God in his difficulties, since Samuel had left him, he sends for the ark of God, and Ahiah the high-priest, hoping by this application to God in his own way that he might have better success than when he sacrificed for himself. Note; (1.) Drowning men catch at straws. They will have the priest and sacrament at their dying bed, who, in their lives, were negligent of both. (2.) If the power of godliness be absent, the form of it can profit us nothing: nay, only deceive us, if we trust in it, to our ruin.
2. Jonathan’s noble exploit. Moved, as we must suppose, by a divine impulse, he secretly quits the camp in Gibeah, and, with his armour-bearer, advances towards the Philistines’ garrison, who seem to have been posted on one of the craggy rocks near Michmash, to guard the pass that was between them. Jonathan proposes to his armour-bearer to go boldly up and fall upon them, since, if the Lord pleased, he could save as well by few as many. The proposal being agreed to, Jonathan determines to rest the matter upon a providential issue. He would appear in sight of the garrison: if the men called to them to stand, and threatened to come over, then they should advance no further; but if they said, in contempt of them, Come up; then they should fall on, assuredly concluding that God was with them. Just as he said, God directed their word. The Philistines concluded them famished for hunger, and forced to surrender, and therefore deridingly bid them come up, and then they should see how they would treat them. Inspired with divine courage and confidence, they now advance, assuredly concluding that God had delivered the Philistines into their hands. Though steep the precipice, they climb the craggy rock, whilst, expecting no danger, the Philistines probably looked on, and amused themselves with the eagerness of these despised Hebrews. But no sooner had Jonathan and his armour-bearer firm footing, than they fell on furiously and unexpectedly, and twenty men presently were slain within the space of half an acre of land. Probably these were a party of scouts, who, thus smitten, fled, and carried a panic along with them into the garrison and camp, God spreading the terror on every side. Note; (1.) The greatness of danger serves only for the more glorious exercise of faith in the saints of God. (2.) Whatever our difficulties are, if we have Omnipotence on our side, we may boldly advance. (3.) It is good to follow the leadings of Providence. (4.) They who sport at God’s Israel, will do it at their cost. (5.) God can with secret terrors reach the hearts of his enemies, and turn their own swords against them. (6.) They who commit their ways unto the Lord, will find that he can bring to pass the most improbable events. No man ever trusted him, and was confounded.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
(14) And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow. (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.
It should seem, that a similar effect, like that which the Lord wrought in the host of Midian, must have been induced, to cause this great consternation, and trembling. The thing was of the Lord. Jdg 7:22 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Sa 14:14 And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, [which] a yoke [of oxen might plow].
Ver. 14. Was about twenty men. ] Twenty men, plus minus. So Joh 4:6 , “It was about the sixth hour.” In things whereof there is no necessity of speaking on a certainty, we must deliver ourselves accordingly.
Within as it were an half acre.
a Vat.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
acre. Hebrew = furrow, or a furrow’s length. The Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6) is supplied, but the words “in a day” might be added for completeness at end of verse. This is the standard measure throughout the Turkish empire, called a deunum = 40 arshuns.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
an half acre of land: or, half a furrow of an acre of land, The original is obscure and variously understood; but it is probably a proverbial expression for a small space. 1Sa 14:14
Reciprocal: Jdg 15:15 – slew 2Sa 17:9 – some
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 14:14-15. Within a half acre of land The garrison seems to have been divided into several bands, and posted upon several craggy eminences; for this first party that Jonathan attacked seems to have been quite separate from the rest. There was a trembling in the host That is, in the whole host which was in the field. The Philistines, hearing of this slaughter of the twenty men, undoubtedly concluded that they had been attacked by a considerable number of Israelites, which put them into a great consternation. Among all the people That is, among all the rest of their forces, as well as those in the garrison at Michmash, and the spoilers, mentioned 1Sa 13:17; the report of this prodigy, and with it the terror of God, speedily passing from one to another. The Hebrew is, a trembling of God, signifying not only a very great trembling, but such as was supernatural, and came immediately from the hand of God. He that made the heart knows how to make it tremble. To complete their confusion, even the earth quaked; it shook under them, and made them fear it was just going to swallow them up. Those who will not fear the eternal God, he can make afraid of a shadow.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
14:14 And that {g} first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, [which] a yoke [of oxen might plow].
(g) The second was when they slew one another, and the third when the Israelites chased them.