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1 Samuel 14:20

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 14:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Saul and all the people that were with him were gathered together, and came to the battle: and, behold, every man`s sword was against his fellow, [and there was] a very great discomfiture.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Saul and all the people that were with him were gathered together, and came to the battle: and, behold, every man`s sword was against his fellow, [and there was] a very great discomfiture.
1 Samuel 14:20 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armorbearer were not there.
18And Saul said unto Ahijah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was [there] at that time with the children of Israel.
19And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the tumult that was in the camp of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thy hand.
20And Saul and all the people that were with him were gathered together, and came to the battle: and, behold, every man`s sword was against his fellow, [and there was] a very great discomfiture.
21Now the Hebrews that were with the Philistines as beforetime, and that went up with them into the camp, [from the country] round about, even they also [turned] to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.
22Likewise all the men of Israel that had hid themselves in the hill-country of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.
23So Jehovah saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over by Beth-aven.
← 1 Samuel 14:191 Samuel 14:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Saul, and all the people that were with him, assembled themselves, etc.] The six hundred men that were with him, unless we can suppose the 1000 that had been with Jonathan in Gibeah were here still, (see <091302>1 Samuel 13:2) and they came to the battle; to the field of battle, the place where the army of the Philistines had lain encamped: and, behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow; taking one another for Hebrews, or treacherous and disaffected persons; so that, though the Israelites had neither swords nor spears, they needed none, for the Philistines destroyed one another with their own swords; and there was a very great discomfiture; noise, tumult, confusion, slaughter, and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Saul and all the people--All the warriors in the garrison at Gibeah, the Israelite deserters in the camp of the Philistines, and the fugitives among the mountains of Ephraim, now all rushed to the pursuit, which was hot and sanguinary.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Assembled themselves - See marg. Many versions give the sense “shouted,” which is far preferable, and only requires a different punctuation. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“assembled themselves: Heb. were cried together every man's: Sa1 14:16; Jdg 7:22; Ch2 20:23; Isa 9:19-21, Isa 19:2 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 14:21”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 14 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification