Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Saul’s lookouts at Gibeah in Benjamin saw the army melting away in all directions. New Living Translation Saul’s lookouts in Gibeah of Benjamin saw a strange sight—the vast army of Philistines began to melt away in every direction. English Standard Version And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude was dispersing here and there. Berean Standard Bible Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction, King James Bible And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another. New King James Version Now the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and there was the multitude, melting away; and they went here and there. New American Standard Bible Now Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude dissolved; they went here and there. NASB 1995 Now Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away; and they went here and there. NASB 1977 Now Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away; and they went here and there. Legacy Standard Bible Then Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away; and they went here and there. Amplified Bible Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away and they went here and there. Christian Standard Bible When Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, they saw the panicking troops scattering in every direction. Holman Christian Standard Bible When Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, they saw the panicking troops scattering in every direction. American Standard Version And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went hither and thither. Contemporary English Version Saul's lookouts at Geba saw that the Philistine army was running in every direction, like melted wax. English Revised Version And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went hither and thither. GOD'S WORD® Translation Saul's watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin could see the crowd [in the Philistine camp] dispersing in all directions. Good News Translation Saul's men on watch at Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin saw the Philistines running in confusion. International Standard Version Saul's sentries in Gibeah of Benjamin watched as the camp was in disarray, going this way and that. Majority Standard Bible Now when Saul?s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction, NET Bible 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. New Heart English Bible And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin saw, and look, the multitude was scattering here and there. Webster's Bible Translation And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another. World English Bible The watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and behold, the multitude melted away and scattered. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin see, and behold, the multitude has melted away, and it goes on, and is beaten down. Young's Literal Translation And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin see, and lo, the multitude hath melted away, and it goeth on, and is beaten down. Smith's Literal Translation And the watchman to Saul will see in the hill of Benjamin, and behold, the multitude melting away, and going, and fighting. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the watchmen of Saul, who were in Gabaa of Benjamin looked, and behold a multitude overthrown, and fleeing this way and that. Catholic Public Domain Version And the watchmen of Saul, who were at Gibeah of Benjamin, looked out, and behold, a multitude was thrown down and dispersed, this way and that. New American Bible Saul’s sentinels in Gibeah of Benjamin saw that the enemy camp had scattered and were running in all directions. New Revised Standard Version Saul’s lookouts in Gibeah of Benjamin were watching as the multitude was surging back and forth. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the Philistine army was in confusion, going away defeated. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the Watchmen of Shaul who were in Gebatha of Benyamin saw, and behold the army of the Philistines trembled and left and were defeated OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeath-benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went hither and thither. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the watchmen of Saul beheld in Gabaa of Benjamin, and, behold, the army was thrown into confusion on every side. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jonathan's Victory over the Philistines…15Then terror struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked and panic spread from God. 16Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction, 17Saul said to the troops who were with him, “Call the roll and see who has left us.” And when they had called the roll, they saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there.… Cross References Judges 7:21-22 Each Israelite took his position around the camp, and the entire Midianite army fled, crying out as they ran. / And when the three hundred rams’ horns sounded, the LORD set all the men in the camp against one another with their swords. The army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath. 2 Kings 7:6-7 For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.” / Thus the Arameans had arisen and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had run for their lives. 2 Chronicles 20:22-24 The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. / The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another. / When the men of Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked for the vast army, but there were only corpses lying on the ground; no one had escaped. Exodus 14:24-25 At morning watch, however, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians from the pillar of fire and cloud, and He threw their camp into confusion. / He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!” Joshua 10:10 And the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, pursued them along the ascent to Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah. 1 Samuel 13:3-4 Then Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. So Saul blew the ram’s horn throughout the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!” / And all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked an outpost of the Philistines, and now Israel has become a stench to the Philistines!” Then the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal. 1 Samuel 17:52 Then the men of Israel and Judah charged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. And the bodies of the Philistines were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron. 2 Samuel 5:24 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” Isaiah 19:2 “So I will incite Egyptian against Egyptian; brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. Isaiah 37:36-37 Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! / So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. Acts 2:6 And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language. Acts 16:26 Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose. Matthew 28:4 The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men. Luke 24:4-5 While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them. / As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? Mark 16:8 So the women left the tomb and ran away, trembling and bewildered. And in their fear they did not say a word to anyone. Treasury of Scripture And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another. melted away Psalm 58:7 Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces. Psalm 68:2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. beating down 1 Samuel 14:20 And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture. Judges 7:22 And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath. 2 Chronicles 20:22-25 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten… Jump to Previous Army Beating Benjamin Directions Hither Melted Melting Multitude Saul Saul's Slaying Surging Thither WatchmenJump to Next Army Beating Benjamin Directions Hither Melted Melting Multitude Saul Saul's Slaying Surging Thither Watchmen1 Samuel 14 1. Jonathan goes and miraculously smites the Philistine's garrison15. A divine terror makes them beat themselves 17. Saul, not staying the priest's answer, sets on them 21. The captivated Hebrews, and the hidden Israelites, join against them. 24. Saul's unadvised adjuration hinders the victory 31. He restrains the people from eating blood 35. He builds an altar 37. Jonathan, taken by lot, is save by the people 47. Saul's victories, strength, and family Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin Gibeah was a significant location in the tribe of Benjamin, serving as King Saul's hometown and the initial seat of his reign. The watchmen stationed here were likely tasked with observing any military movements, given the ongoing conflict with the Philistines. This setting underscores the strategic importance of Gibeah, both geographically and politically, as it was situated on a hill, providing a vantage point for surveillance. The mention of Benjamin highlights Saul's tribal affiliation, which is significant in understanding the dynamics of Israel's early monarchy and the tribal tensions that existed. looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. He is leading Israel during a time of conflict with the Philistines. 2. Watchmen These are the guards or sentinels stationed to observe and report on enemy movements. They play a crucial role in alerting Saul to the unfolding events. 3. Gibeah of Benjamin Saul's hometown and the location of his base of operations. It is significant as a strategic point in the battle against the Philistines. 4. Philistines The primary adversaries of Israel during this period. They are a formidable force, often in conflict with the Israelites. 5. Troops Melting Away This phrase describes the Philistine army's sudden disarray and retreat, a pivotal moment in the battle account. Teaching Points Divine InterventionGod can cause confusion among our enemies, leading to victory. Trust in His power and timing. Vigilance and Preparedness Like the watchmen, we must remain vigilant in our spiritual lives, ready to act when God moves. Leadership and Faith Saul's leadership is tested. Effective leadership requires faith and reliance on God, not just human strategy. God's Sovereignty The scattering of the Philistine troops highlights God's control over all circumstances, encouraging us to rely on His sovereignty. Community and Support The role of the watchmen underscores the importance of community and support in facing challenges.(16) And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked . . .--The distance between the outposts of the little Israelite army and the vast Philistine host was only about two miles, but a deep ravine or chasm lay between them. The watchmen of Saul were well able to see the scene of dire confusion in the outposts, a confusion which they could discern was rapidly spreading through the more distant camp of the main body. The Hebrew words, vay?leh vah?lom, in the last clause of the verse, have been variously rendered; the Rabbinical interpretation is the best: "magis magisque pangebatur"--"were more and more broken up." This takes h?lom as an infinitive absolute. The LXX. considers this word an adverb, and translates enthen hai enthen, hither and thither, and does not attempt to give any rendering for vay?leh. Verse 16. - The watchmen, etc. Condor says ('Tent Work,' 2:115), "The watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin must have seen dearly across the chasm the extraordinary conflict of two men against a host, as the 'multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.' The noise in the host was also, no doubt, clearly heard at the distance of only two miles, and the army would have crossed the passage with comparatively little difficulty by the narrow path which leads down direct from Geba to Michmash, west of the Philistine camp. Thence the pursuit was towards Bethel, across the watershed, and headlong down the steep descent of Aijalon - that same pass where the first great victory of Joshua had been gained, and where the valiant Judas was once more, in later times, to drive back the enemies of Israel to the plains." The multitude. The Hebrew is, "And behold the tumult (the word is so rendered in ver. 19, margin) was reeling and going... and thither." Of course hither has dropped out of the text before and thither (comp. 1 Samuel 13:8). The Septuagint and Vulgate both read "hither and thither." Tumult means the din made by a confused mass of people, and so the crowd itself. Melted away does not give the exact meaning. The Philistines were not dispersing, but were reeling, moving to and fro purposeless, and in confusion. It may mean, however, to shake or melt with terror, as in Isaiah 14:31, where it is rendered art dissolved.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Now when Saul'sלְשָׁא֔וּל (lə·šā·’ūl) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites watchmen הַצֹּפִים֙ (haṣ·ṣō·p̄îm) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 6822: To lean forward, to peer into the distance, to observe, await at Gibeah בְּגִבְעַ֖ת (bə·ḡiḇ·‘aṯ) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1390: Gibeah -- 'hill', three cities in Palestine in Benjamin בִּנְיָמִ֑ן (bin·yā·min) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites looked וַיִּרְא֤וּ (way·yir·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7200: To see and saw וְהִנֵּ֧ה (wə·hin·nêh) Conjunctive waw | Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! the troops הֶהָמ֛וֹן (he·hā·mō·wn) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1995: A noise, tumult, crowd, disquietude, wealth melting away נָמ֖וֹג (nā·mō·wḡ) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4127: To melt and scattering וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk in every direction, וַהֲלֹֽם׃ (wa·hă·lōm) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 1986: To strike down, to hammer, stamp, conquer, disband Links 1 Samuel 14:16 NIV1 Samuel 14:16 NLT 1 Samuel 14:16 ESV 1 Samuel 14:16 NASB 1 Samuel 14:16 KJV 1 Samuel 14:16 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 14:16 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 14:16 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 14:16 French Bible 1 Samuel 14:16 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 14:16 The watchmen of Saul in Gibeah (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
    |