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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּזָּעֵ֣ק
that were with him assembled
H2199
וַיִּזָּעֵ֣ק
that were with him assembled
Strong's:
H2199
Word #:
1 of 17
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָם֙
and all the people
H5971
הָעָם֙
and all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 17
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אִתּ֔וֹ
H854
אִתּ֔וֹ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ
themselves and they came
H935
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ
themselves and they came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
7 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
8 of 17
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה
to the battle
H4421
הַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה
to the battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
9 of 17
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
הָֽיְתָ֜ה
H1961
הָֽיְתָ֜ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
11 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
חֶ֤רֶב
sword
H2719
חֶ֤רֶב
sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
12 of 17
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
אִישׁ֙
and behold every man's
H376
אִישׁ֙
and behold every man's
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
13 of 17
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בְּרֵעֵ֔הוּ
was against his fellow
H7453
בְּרֵעֵ֔הוּ
was against his fellow
Strong's:
H7453
Word #:
14 of 17
an associate (more or less close)
Cross References
2 Chronicles 20:23For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.Judges 7:22And 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 Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath.
Historical Context
The scene of confused combat where enemies attack each other recalls Gideon's victory (Judges 7:22). Such supernatural victories were designed to demonstrate that 'the battle is the LORD's' (17:47). Israel's role was to pursue and complete what God initiated.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we properly give God credit for victories we participate in but did not create?
- What does it mean to join what God is already doing rather than initiating our own plans?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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.
Saul's forces assemble and enter a battle already won: 'every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.' The Hebrew mehumah ('discomfiture' or 'confusion') echoes the divine panic of verse 15. The Israelites arrive to find Philistines destroying each other. Saul claims credit by participation in a victory God accomplished through Jonathan's faith. This pattern - taking credit for divine action - characterizes much of Saul's reign.