1 Samuel 14:19

Contextual Overview

¹⁶ And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and saw that the multitude melted away, and they went [here] and there. ¹⁶ Saul's lookouts in Gibeah of Benjamin saw a strange sight—the vast army of Philistines began to melt away in every direction. ¹⁶ And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went [hither] and thither. ¹⁶ Saul's guards were at Gibeah in the land of Benjamin when they saw the Philistine soldiers running in every direction. ¹⁶ Saul's watchmen at Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin looked on as the crowd of soldiers seemed to melt away first in one direction and then in another. ¹⁶ And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down [one another]. ¹⁶ The watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went [here] and there. ¹⁶Saul's watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away and they went here and there. ¹⁶ And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude was dispersing here and there. ¹⁶ And aspyeris of Saul bihelden, that weren in Gabaa of Beniamyn, and lo! a multitude cast doun, and fleynge awei hidur and thidur.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

noise: or, tumult

Withdraw: 1 Samuel 14:24, 1 Samuel 13:11, Joshua 9:14, Psalms 106:13, Isaiah 28:16

Reciprocal: Isaiah 9:5 - confused noise

Cross-References

Genesis 14:6
and the Horites in their hill country of Seir as far as El-paran on the border of the wilderness.

Genesis 14:6
and the Horites in their mountain, Seir, to Elparan, which is by the wilderness.

Genesis 14:6
They also defeated the Horites in the mountains of Edom to El Paran (near the desert).

Genesis 14:6
and the Horites in their hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is near the desert.

Genesis 14:6
And the Horites in their mount Seir, to El-paran, which [is] by the wilderness.

Genesis 14:6
and the Horites in their Mount Seir, to Elparan, which is by the wilderness.

Genesis 14:6
and the Horites in their mountainous country of Seir, as far as El-paran, which is on the border of the wilderness.

Genesis 14:6
and Choreis in the hillis of Seir, til to the feldi placis of Faran, which is in wildirnesse.

Genesis 14:6
and the Horites in their mount Seir, unto El-Paran, which [is] by the wilderness;

Genesis 14:6
and the Horites in the hill country of Seir, as far as El-paran, which is near the desert.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And it came to pass, while Saul talked with the priest,.... With Ahiah about bringing the ark, and inquiring before it:

that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on, and increased; the shrieks and cries of those that were beat down and trampled upon, and were bruised and wounded; and indeed the cry of the whole host, being alarmed with the enemy being upon them, or among them; and it seems that not only their motions could be seen, but the noise of them heard at this distance:

and Saul said unto the priest, withdraw thine hand; from putting on the ephod, or opening the breastplate of Urim and Thummim, or placing the ark in a proper position, to inquire before it, or from lifting up both hands in prayer for direction. Saul by the noise he heard concluded the army of the Philistines was routed, and therefore there was no need to consult the Lord, and he had no leisure for it; no time was to be lost, the advantage was to be taken directly, and the enemy pursued, to complete the victory. The Jews look upon this as a piece of profaneness in Saul, as no doubt it was, and reckon it one of the sins for which his kingdom was not prolonged o.

o Vajikra Rabba & Midrash Tillim apud Abarbinel in loc.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Withdraw thine hand - i. e., “Desist from what thou art about.” Saul in his impatience to join the battle would not wait for the answer from God, which he had desired Ahijah to inquire for; just as later 1 Samuel 14:35 he would not wait to finish the altar which he had begun to build. Had he now waited he would doubtless have avoided the error into which he fell.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Samuel 14:19. While Saul talked unto the priest — Before he had made an end of consulting him, the increasing noise of the panic-struck Philistines called his attention; and finding there was no time to lose, he immediately collected his men and fell on them.