1 Samuel 14:11
And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּגָּל֣וּ
of them discovered
H1540
וַיִּגָּל֣וּ
of them discovered
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
1 of 15
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
מַצַּ֖ב
themselves unto the garrison
H4673
מַצַּ֖ב
themselves unto the garrison
Strong's:
H4673
Word #:
4 of 15
a fixed spot; figuratively, an office, a military post
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
and the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
and the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
5 of 15
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
and the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
and the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
7 of 15
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
עִבְרִים֙
Behold the Hebrews
H5680
עִבְרִים֙
Behold the Hebrews
Strong's:
H5680
Word #:
9 of 15
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber
יֹֽצְאִ֔ים
come forth
H3318
יֹֽצְאִ֔ים
come forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
10 of 15
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
1 Samuel 13:6When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.1 Samuel 14:22Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.
Historical Context
The Philistine taunt about Israelites hiding 'in holes' reflects the actual situation - many Israelites had indeed fled to caves (13:6). The enemy's accurate assessment of Israel's weakness made Jonathan's attack seem laughable. This overconfidence contributed to Philistine unpreparedness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does enemy contempt sometimes contribute to faith's victory?
- When has your apparent weakness caused opponents to underestimate what God could do?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
Jonathan and his armor-bearer 'discovered themselves' (galah) - made themselves known, exposed themselves to danger. The Philistines' contemptuous response - 'Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves' - reveals their arrogant assumption that Israel was broken and hiding. Their mockery blinds them to the faith-driven attack coming their way. Pride precedes destruction; the Philistines' disdain becomes their downfall.