Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 13:6
When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
6. in a strait ] In distress and danger: as it were, hemmed in and unable to turn in any direction.
the people did hide themselves ] Cp. Jdg 6:2.
in high places ] The word thus translated occurs elsewhere only in Jdg 9:46; Jdg 9:49 (E. V. hold), and is supposed to mean “a fortified tower,” like the “peels” of the border counties, possibly the work of the old Canaanite inhabitants. But the context rather points to some natural hiding-place.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
In thickets – literally, among thorns.
High places – Not the high places for worship, but holds or towers Jdg 9:46, Jdg 9:49; that particular kind of tower which was the work of the old Canaanite inhabitants, and which remained as ruins in the time of Saul.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 6. The people did hide themselves] They, being few in number, and totally unarmed as to swords and spears, were terrified at the very numerous and well-appointed army of the Philistines. Judea was full of rocks, caves, thickets, &c., where people might shelter themselves from their enemies. While some hid themselves, others fled beyond Jordan: and those who did cleave to Saul followed him trembling.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
They were in a strait, notwithstanding their former presumption, that if they had a king they should be free from all such straits. And hereby God intended to teach them the vanity of all carnal confidence in men; and that they did not one jot less need the help and favour of God now than they did before, when they had no king.
The people were distressed; they were not mistaken in their apprehensions of danger, as men oft are, for they were really in great danger, their enemys host far exceeding theirs, both in number, and order, and courage, and arms.
The people did hide themselves in caves; whereof there were divers in those parts for this very use, as we read in Josephus, and in the Holy Scripture.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6. When the men of Israel saw thatthey were in a straitThough Saul’s gallantry was unabated, hissubjects displayed no degree of zeal and energy. Instead of venturingan encounter, they fled in all directions. Some, in their panic, leftthe country (1Sa 13:7), but mosttook refuge in the hiding-places which the broken ridges of theneighborhood abundantly afford. The rocks are perforated in everydirection with “caves,” and “holes,” and”pits”crevices and fissures sunk deep in the rocky soil,subterranean granaries or dry wells in the adjoining fields. The nameof Michmash (“hidden treasure”) seems to be derived fromthis natural peculiarity [STANLEY].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
When the men of Israel saw they were in a strait, for the people were distressed,…. By reason of the vast army that the Philistines brought into the field, greatly superior to theirs, and were likely to be encompassed by them on every side; so that nothing but destruction was expected, which gave them the utmost anxiety and uneasiness; though Abarbinel refers this last clause, not to the people of Israel, but to the people of the Philistines, and takes it in this sense,
for the people drew nigh; the army of the Philistines was approaching, and got near to them; and so they were in great danger of being quickly attacked by them, and destroyed, their numbers being so great:
then the people did hide themselves in caves; of which there were many in the land of Judea, capable of receiving a large number, as the cave of Adullam, the cave of Engedi, c. and such as the Israelites made to hide themselves when oppressed by the Midianites, Jud 6:2
and in thickets woods and forests, or among thorns, as Jarchi; where there was a very great number of brambles and thorn bushes; some, as Kimchi, interpret the word of munitions, garrisons, and fortified places, to which they betook themselves:
in rocks, and in high places, and in pits; in the holes of rocks and mountains, particularly in Mount Ephraim; see 1Sa 14:22 and where there were any pits or ditches, high or deep places, where they might be out of sight, and be sheltered from their enemies.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(6) Saw that they were in a strait.It was evidently no ordinary Philistine foray or invasion which the Israelites had to make head against. The tradition preserved by Josephus tells us that a host of foreign allies had joined the Phnician armies in this war. This accounts for the great numbers alluded to in the text: People as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude (1Sa. 13:5). The hearts of the as yet undisciplined Hebrews sank at the tidings of such an invasion. And in high places.The word in the original Hebrew is not the same as the one usually rendered high places for prayer and sacrifice. The word here signifies towers. It is the same word which in Jdg. 9:46; Jdg. 9:49 is translated a hold. In the Speakers Commentary it is suggested that it was applied to a particular kind of tower which was the work of the old Canaanite inhabitants, and which remained as ruins in the time of Saul.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
THE PEOPLE’S DISTRESS, AND SAUL’S UNTIMELY SACRIFICE, 1Sa 13:6-15.
6. The people were distressed They were vexed, harassed, and alarmed by the bold and sudden advance of the Philistine hosts, and despaired being able to stand before them.
Thickets , thorns, or thorn bushes.
High places , strongholds, as pits or cellars, as at Jdg 9:46; Jdg 9:49.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Sa 13:6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
Ver. 6. For the people were distressed. ] Notwithstanding their having a king to save them. God will make the strongest sinew in the arm of flesh to crack, when once he taketh men to do. See 1Sa 13:3 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
men. Hebrew. ‘ish. . App-14.
distressed = pressed: i.e. into Saul’s service. and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
in a strait: Exo 14:10-12, Jos 8:20, Jdg 10:9, Jdg 20:41, 2Sa 24:14, Phi 1:23
in caves: 1Sa 14:11, 1Sa 23:19, 1Sa 24:3, Jdg 6:2, Isa 42:22, Heb 11:38
Reciprocal: Jos 10:16 – in a cave Jdg 2:15 – greatly 1Sa 7:7 – afraid 1Sa 13:15 – about six 1Sa 14:22 – hid themselves 1Sa 17:24 – him 1Sa 31:7 – they forsook the cities 1Ki 20:4 – I am thine 2Ki 13:7 – fifty horsemen 2Ki 14:9 – The thistle 1Ch 10:7 – then they 1Ch 17:10 – And since 2Ch 15:5 – no peace 2Ch 33:11 – among the thorns Psa 60:1 – scattered Isa 2:19 – And they Jer 4:29 – they shall go Jer 41:9 – because of Gedaliah Jer 48:28 – leave Jer 49:8 – dwell Eze 33:27 – in the caves Hos 9:6 – they Nah 3:11 – thou shalt be hid Rev 6:15 – hid
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 13:6. Israel saw that they were in a strait Though their wonderful success against the Ammonites had encouraged them to obey the summons of such a prosperous leader as Saul had been; yet when they saw the vast army of the Philistines, how well they were appointed, and themselves unprovided, their hearts failed them, and they slunk away from him as fast as they had flocked to him. The people were distressed Notwithstanding their former presumption, that if they had a king they would be free from all such difficulties and distresses. Hereby God intended to teach them the vanity of confidence in men; and that they did not one jot less need his help now than they did when they had no king. And probably they were the more discouraged, because they did not find Samuel with Saul. Sooner or later men will be made to see that God and his prophets are their best friends.