1 Samuel 14:10

10 But if they say thus, Come up to us; then we will go up; for the LORD has delivered them into our hand: and this shall be the sign 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 Then said Yonatan, Behold, we will pass over to the men, and we will disclose ourselves to them.

9 If they say thus to us, Wait until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up to them.

10 But if they say thus, Come up to us; then we will go up; for the LORD has delivered them into our hand: and this shall be the sign to us.

11 Both of them disclosed themselves to the garrison of the Pelishtim: and the Pelishtim said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.

12 The men of the garrison answered Yonatan and his armor bearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will show you a thing. Yonatan said to his armor bearer, Come up after me; for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Yisra'el.