1 Samuel 14:5 One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the other to the south toward Geba.

◄ 1 Samuel 14:5 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the other to the south toward Geba.

English Standard Version
The one crag rose on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.

New American Standard Bible
The one crag rose on the north opposite Michmash, and the other on the south opposite Geba.

King James Bible
The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
one stood to the north in front of Michmash and the other to the south in front of Geba.

International Standard Version
One crag rose on the north opposite Michmash, and the other on the south opposite Geba.

American Standard Version
The one crag rose up on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.

Douay-Rheims Bible
One rock stood out towards the north over against Machmas, and the other to the south over against Gabaa.

Darby Bible Translation
The one crag formed a pillar on the north opposite to Michmash, and the other on the south opposite to Geba.

Young's Literal Translation
The one edge is fixed on the north over-against Michmash, and the one on the south over-against Gibeah.

Cross References

1 Samuel 13:3
And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.

1 Samuel 13:23
And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.

1 Samuel 14:4
And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.

1 Samuel 14:6
And Jonathan said to the young man that bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

1 Samuel 14:31
And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.

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Cliff Crag Edge Michmas Michmash North Northward Opposite Over-Against Pillar Rock Rose Situate Situated South Southward Stood

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Cliff Crag Edge Michmas Michmash North Northward Opposite Over-Against Pillar Rock Rose Situate Situated South Southward Stood

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

14:1-15 Saul seems to have been quite at a loss, and unable to help himself. Those can never think themselves safe who see themselves out of God's protection. Now he sent for a priest and the ark. He hopes to make up matters with the Almighty by a partial reformation, as many do whose hearts are unhumbled and unchanged. Many love to have ministers who prophesy smooth things to them. Jonathan felt a Divine impulse and impression, putting him upon this bold adventure. God will direct the steps of those that acknowledge him in all their ways, and seek to him for direction, with full purpose of heart to follow his guidance. Sometimes we find most comfort in that which is least our own doing, and into which we have been led by the unexpected but well-observed turns of Divine providence. There was trembling in the host. It is called a trembling of God, signifying, not only a great trembling they could not resist, nor reason themselves out of, but that it came at once from the hand of God. He that made the heart, knows how to make it tremble.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

4. between the passages—that is, the deep and great ravine of Suweinit.

Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison—a distance of about three miles running between two jagged points; Hebrew, "teeth of the cliff."

there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side … Bozez—("shining") from the aspect of the chalky rock.

Seneh—("the thorn") probably from a solitary acacia on its top. They are the only rocks of the kind in this vicinity; and the top of the crag towards Michmash was occupied as the post of the Philistines. The two camps were in sight of each other; and it was up the steep rocky sides of this isolated eminence that Jonathan and his armorbearer (1Sa 14:6) made their adventurous approach. This enterprise is one of the most gallant that history or romance records. The action, viewed in itself, was rash and contrary to all established rules of military discipline, which do not permit soldiers to fight or to undertake any enterprise that may involve important consequences without the order of the generals.