1 Samuel 14:22

22 All the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that [the] Philistines had fled, so even they pursued them closely in the battle.

1 Samuel 14:22 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 14:22

Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in
Mount Ephraim
In the caves and rocks, thickets and pits there, see ( 1 Samuel 13:6 ) when

they heard that the Philistines fled;
now being delivered from their fears, and thinking themselves safe, ventured out of their lurking places:

even they also followed hard after them in the battle;
they joined the pursuers who came their way, and stuck to them, and closely pursued the flying army of the Philistines. According to Josephus ^F16, the army of Saul was now increased to 10,000.

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 6. sect. 3.

1 Samuel 14:22 In-Context

20 Then Saul and all the troops who were with him were assembled on command and came up to the battle, and look! Each [Philistine's] sword [was] against his friend; [and there was] a very great confusion.

21 The Hebrews who had been for [the] Philistines {previously}, who had gone up with them into the camp all around, even they {joined the Israelites} who were with Saul and Jonathan.

22 All the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that [the] Philistines had fled, so even they pursued them closely in the battle.

23 So on that day Yahweh delivered Israel, and the battle shifted to Beth Aven.

24 Now the men of Israel were hard pressed on that day, because Saul had made the army take an oath, saying, "Cursed be the man who eats [any] food until evening, when I will have avenged myself on my enemies!" So none of the army tasted [any] food.