1 Samuel 14:31

31 The Israelites struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash all the way to Aijalon. Since the Israelites were completely exhausted,

1 Samuel 14:31 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 14:31

And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to
Aijalon
Michmash was the place where the camp of the Philistines was when Jonathan first attacked them, and from whence they fled, and they were pursued by the Israelites that day as far as Aijalon. There was a city of this name in the tribe of Dan, famous for the moon standing still in a valley adjoining to it, in the time of Joshua, ( Joshua 10:12 ) ( 19:42 ) and another in the tribe of Zebulun, ( Judges 12:12 ) , but they both seem to be at too great a distance to be the place here meant, which rather seems to be Aijalon in the tribe of Judah, ( 2 Chronicles 11:10 ) according to Bunting ^F26, it was twelve miles from Michmash:

and the people were very faint;
as they might well be, with pursuing the enemy so many miles, and doing so much execution among them, without eating any food.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Travels of the Patriarchs p. 127.

1 Samuel 14:31 In-Context

29 Jonathan replied, "My father has brought trouble to the land. Just look at how I have renewed energy because I tasted a little honey.

30 How much better if the troops had eaten freely today from the plunder they took from their enemies! Then the slaughter of the Philistines would have been much greater."

31 The Israelites struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash all the way to Aijalon. Since the Israelites were completely exhausted,

32 they rushed to the plunder, took sheep, cattle, and calves, slaughtered them on the ground, and ate [meat] with the blood [still in it.]

33 Some reported to Saul: "Look, the troops are sinning against the Lord by eating [meat] with the blood [still in it.]" Saul said, "You have been unfaithful. Roll a large stone over here at once."