1 Samuel 13:23

Jonathan Attacks the Philistines

23 A group of Philistine soldiers had gone out to the pass at Micmash.

1 Samuel 13:23 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 13:23

And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage
of Michmash.
] According to Jarchi, these two places, Michmash where the Philistines were, and Gibeah where Saul and Jonathan were, lay on two hills over against each other, and there was a valley between them; and the garrison of the Philistines drew nigh to the passage of Michmash, which led to the side of Gibeah, to the valley between them, either with an intention to besiege Gibeah, or to dare Israel to come out and fight them: but rather it seems to be some strong pass between the rocks near Michmash, where the garrison placed themselves to guard and keep against any sudden surprise; see ( 1 Samuel 14:4 ) . The Targum is,

``the governor of the Philistines went out to the ford or passage of Michmash;''

and Kimchi interprets it of the princes or generals of the army; these might go to mark out a camp, and pitch upon a proper place to draw up in a line of battle.

1 Samuel 13:23 In-Context

21 It cost a fourth of an ounce of silver to sharpen a plow or a hoe. It cost an eighth of an ounce to sharpen a pitchfork or an axe. That's also what it cost to put new tips on large sticks that were used to drive oxen.

22 So not one of Saul's or Jonathan's soldiers had a sword or spear in his hand when he went out to battle. Only Saul and his son Jonathan had those weapons.

23 A group of Philistine soldiers had gone out to the pass at Micmash.