1 Samuel 14:21

21 But also the Hebrews that were with (the) Philistines yesterday and the third day ago, and had gone up with them in(to) their tents, turned again to be with the men of Israel, that were with Saul and Jonathan.

1 Samuel 14:21 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 14:21

Moreover, the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before
that time
Who either were their servants and bondsmen they brought along with them, or such in whose cities they dwelt, or had taken as they came along, and forced into their army; or it may be some of them were renegades from the Israelites, deserters, who for safety and subsistence betook themselves to them as the stronger party. The Greek version reads,

``the servants that were with the Philistines:''

which went up with them into the camp [from the country] round about;
either willingly or by force; the words, "from the country", are not in the text, wherefore some observe, as Kimchi and Abarbinel, that this respects their being round about the camp, and that they were not within it, but without it, that if possible they might escape fighting against the Israelites:

even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and
Jonathan;
who were now joined; when they saw the dread and confusion in the camp of the Philistines, and them destroying one another, and the Israelites prevailing over them, victorious and pursuing, they took part with them, and assisted them in completing the victory.

1 Samuel 14:21 In-Context

19 And when Saul spake to the priest, a great noise (a)rose in the tents of the Philistines; and it increased little and little, and it sounded more clearly. And Saul said to the priest, Withdraw thine hand (And Saul said to the priest, Hold back thy hand!).

20 Therefore Saul cried, and all the people that was with him; and they came unto the place of battle, and, lo! the sword of each man was turned to his neighbour, and a full great slaying was. (And then Saul and all the people who were with him cried together; and they came to the place of the battle, and, lo! the sword of each man was turned against his neighbour, and there was a very great slaughter.)

21 But also the Hebrews that were with (the) Philistines yesterday and the third day ago, and had gone up with them in(to) their tents, turned again to be with the men of Israel, that were with Saul and Jonathan.

22 Also all the men of Israel, that had hid themselves in the hill (country) of Ephraim, heard that the Philistines had fled; and they fellowshipped themselves with their men in [the] battle, and as ten thousand of men were with Saul (and about ten thousand men were with Saul).

23 And the Lord saved Israel in that day (And the Lord saved Israel that day). And the battle came till to Bethaven.