1 Samuel 14:19

19 While Saul was in conversation with the priest, the upheaval in the Philistine camp became greater and louder. Then Saul interrupted Ahijah: "Put the Ephod away."

1 Samuel 14:19 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 14:19

And it came to pass, while Saul talked with the priest
With Ahiah about bringing the ark, and inquiring before it:

that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on, and
increased;
the shrieks and cries of those that were beat down and trampled upon, and were bruised and wounded; and indeed the cry of the whole host, being alarmed with the enemy being upon them, or among them; and it seems that not only their motions could be seen, but the noise of them heard at this distance:

and Saul said unto the priest, withdraw thine hand;
from putting on the ephod, or opening the breastplate of Urim and Thummim, or placing the ark in a proper position, to inquire before it, or from lifting up both hands in prayer for direction. Saul by the noise he heard concluded the army of the Philistines was routed, and therefore there was no need to consult the Lord, and he had no leisure for it; no time was to be lost, the advantage was to be taken directly, and the enemy pursued, to complete the victory. The Jews look upon this as a piece of profaneness in Saul, as no doubt it was, and reckon it one of the sins for which his kingdom was not prolonged ^F15.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F15 Vajikra Rabba & Midrash Tillim apud Abarbinel in loc.

1 Samuel 14:19 In-Context

17 Saul commanded, "Line up and take the roll. See who's here and who's missing."

18 When they called the roll, Jonathan and his armor bearer turned up missing.

19 While Saul was in conversation with the priest, the upheaval in the Philistine camp became greater and louder. Then Saul interrupted Ahijah: "Put the Ephod away."

20 Saul immediately called his army together and they went straight to the battle. When they got there they found total confusion - Philistines swinging their swords wildly, killing each other.

21 Hebrews who had earlier defected to the Philistine camp came back. They now wanted to be with Israel under Saul and Jonathan.