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1 Samuel 14:23

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 14:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “So Jehovah saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over by Beth-aven.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

So Jehovah saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over by Beth-aven.
1 Samuel 14:23 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
24And the men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until it be evening, and I be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted food.
25And all the people came into the forest; and there was honey upon the ground.
26And when the people were come unto the forest, behold, the honey dropped: but no man put his hand to his mouth; for the people feared the oath.
← 1 Samuel 14:221 Samuel 14:24 →
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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
“So the Lord saved Israel that day, etc] And a wonderful salvation it was, that two men should throw such a vast army into confusion, which issued in the utter rout and destruction of them; this only could be of the Lord, to whom it is justly ascribed, and was the effect of his sovereign good will and pleasure, and of his unmerited goodness; a free favour bestowed on an undeserving prince, who had behaved ill to his prophet at Gilgal, and now to him and his high priest at Gibeah: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven; the men of battle or war; those that made war, as the Targum, these pursued and went as far as Bethaven, or rather “passed Bethaven” f272; they not only, went as far as that,…”
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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
“So the Lord saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Beth-aven--that is, "Beth-el." It passed over the forest, now destroyed, on the central ridge of Palestine, then over to the other side from the eastern pass of Michmash (Sa1 14:31), to the western pass of Aijalon, through which they escaped into their own plains.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The battle - That is, the warriors who were engaged in the battle, and were pursuing the Philistines. Yet it is said, the Lord saved Israel that day: he did it by them: for without him they could do nothing. Salvation is of the Lord. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 14:24”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“14:23 It was God, not Saul, who saved Israel; Jonathan was just a willing instrument in the Lord’s hands. • Beth-aven was due west of Micmash (see 13:5). The Israelites forced the Philistines to retreat all the way to Aijalon that day (see 14:31).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the Lord: Exo 14:30; Jdg 2:18; Kg2 14:27; Psa 44:6-8; Hos 1:7 Bethaven: Sa1 13:5 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 14:24”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification