1 Samuel 14:10

10 But if they say, ‘Come on up,' then we'll go up because that will be the sign that the LORD has handed them over to us."

1 Samuel 14:10 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 14:10

But if they say unto us, come up unto us
Which however spoken in contempt of them, yet would discover some fear, that they did not care to come out of their hold to them, and expose themselves to any danger; and besides being bid to come up, though it might be in a sneering ironical way, as supposing it impracticable for them; yet this would lead them on to make the attempt; and while the men were careless and secure, they might obtain their point:

then we will go up:
the precipice, which was supposed impassable:

for the Lord hath delivered them into our hands:
they being afraid to come out, and scornful and self-confident in their garrison: and this shall be a sign unto us; a direction how to behave, what steps to take, and a confirming sign assuring of success. Bishop Patrick and others observe, from Herodotus ^F15, something similar to this, of the Paeonians, who went to war with the Perinthians, directed by the oracle; and were ordered that if the Perinthians provoked them to fight, calling them by name, then they should invade them; but, if not, should abstain; and so they did, and overcame; for when they met, there were three single combats; in the two first the Perinthians were conquerors, and began to triumph and insult; upon which the Paeonians said to one another, now is the oracle fulfilled, now is our business, and so fell upon them, and left few of them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 Terpsichore, sive, l. 5. c. 1.

1 Samuel 14:10 In-Context

8 "All right then," Jonathan said. "We'll go over to the men and show ourselves.

9 If they say to us, ‘Stay there until we get to you,' then we'll stay where we are and won't go up to them.

10 But if they say, ‘Come on up,' then we'll go up because that will be the sign that the LORD has handed them over to us."

11 So they showed themselves to the Philistine fort, and the Philistines said, "Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes they've been hiding in!"

12 Then the troops in the fort yelled to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, "Come on up! We'll teach you a lesson!" So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, "Follow me, because the LORD has handed them over to Israel!"