1 Samuel 14:15
And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.
Original Language Analysis
וַתְּהִי֩
H1961
וַתְּהִי֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַמַּֽחֲנֶ֤ה
in the host
H4264
בַמַּֽחֲנֶ֤ה
in the host
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
3 of 16
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
וּבְכָל
H3605
וּבְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֔ם
and among all the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
and among all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
6 of 16
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַמַּצָּב֙
the garrison
H4673
הַמַּצָּב֙
the garrison
Strong's:
H4673
Word #:
7 of 16
a fixed spot; figuratively, an office, a military post
וְהַמַּשְׁחִ֔ית
and the spoilers
H7843
וְהַמַּשְׁחִ֔ית
and the spoilers
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
8 of 16
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
חָֽרְד֖וּ
they also trembled
H2729
חָֽרְד֖וּ
they also trembled
Strong's:
H2729
Word #:
9 of 16
to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
וַתִּרְגַּ֣ז
quaked
H7264
וַתִּרְגַּ֣ז
quaked
Strong's:
H7264
Word #:
12 of 16
to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)
וַתְּהִ֖י
H1961
וַתְּהִ֖י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
14 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
1 Samuel 13:17And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:Genesis 35:5And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.Exodus 19:18And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.2 Samuel 5:24And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.
Historical Context
Divine terror (cherdat elohim) appears in other biblical accounts where God directly intervenes in battle (Exodus 23:27; Joshua 2:9; Judges 7:21). This supernatural panic, unconnected to military circumstances, demonstrates that victory comes from Yahweh, not Israelite prowess.
Questions for Reflection
- How does 'trembling of God' differ from normal military morale collapse?
- When have you witnessed God acting in ways that transcend natural explanation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.
The Hebrew charadah ('trembling') spread through every level of Philistine forces: 'in the host, in the field, and among all the people.' Even the garrison and the raiding parties experienced this divine terror. The phrase 'the earth quaked' may indicate literal seismic activity or describe the total nature of the panic - so severe it felt as if the ground itself shook. This 'very great trembling' (cherdat elohim, 'trembling of God') explicitly identifies the source as divine, not merely psychological. God fights for Israel.