And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel
were
gathered together to Mizpeh
Not knowing it was upon a religious account; but supposing they
met to form schemes and measures to cast off their yoke, and
deliver themselves out of their hands; and were preparing to take
up arms, and fall upon them:
the lords of the Philistines went up against
Israel;
with forces out of their several principalities united to fight
with them; judging it advisable to lose no time, but attack them
before they were well prepared and provided to defend themselves:
and when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid
of the
Philistines;
because they were unarmed, and not at all prepared for war, and
having no expectation of it.
