1 Samuel 14:22

22 When all the Israelite men who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined Saul and Jonathan 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 Saul and all the troops with him assembled and marched to the battle, and there, the Philistines were fighting against each other in great confusion!

21 There were Hebrews from the area who had gone earlier into the camp to join the Philistines, but even they joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.

22 When all the Israelite men who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined Saul and Jonathan in the battle.

23 So the Lord saved Israel that day. The battle extended beyond Beth-aven,

24 and the men of Israel were worn out that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath: "Cursed is the man who eats food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies." So none of the troops tasted [any] food.