1 Samuel 14 13

1 Samuel 14:13 kjv

And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.

1 Samuel 14:13 nkjv

And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and knees with his armorbearer after him; and they fell before Jonathan. And as he came after him, his armorbearer killed them.

1 Samuel 14:13 niv

Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him.

1 Samuel 14:13 esv

Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor-bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer killed them after him.

1 Samuel 14:13 nlt

So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer killed those who came behind them.

1 Samuel 14 verses

1 Samuel 14 13 Meaning

1 Samuel 14:13 describes a pivotal moment of divine empowerment and decisive victory achieved by Jonathan and his armor-bearer against the Philistine garrison. Having climbed the difficult ascent to the enemy's outpost, the Philistine soldiers were struck with panic and vulnerability, causing them to fall directly before Jonathan. His armor-bearer immediately followed Jonathan’s lead, ensuring their demise. This action initiated the great rout of the Philistines, showcasing God's ability to grant victory through unexpected means and by only a few.

1 Samuel 14 13 Context

1 Samuel chapter 14 describes Jonathan's remarkable act of faith against the Philistine oppression, a direct contrast to Saul's wavering leadership and disobedience. Prior to this verse, the Philistines had disarmed the Israelites, leaving them virtually weaponless (1 Sam 13:19-22). Saul’s army was dwindling due to fear, and only Jonathan, his armor-bearer, and 600 men remained. Motivated by faith in God's ability to save by few or many (1 Sam 14:6), Jonathan initiated a stealthy and extremely risky attack on a Philistine outpost. Verse 13 details the successful culmination of their daring climb, demonstrating the initial impact of their faith-driven offensive. The preceding verses described Jonathan and his armor-bearer scaling the steep, rugged pass. This verse marks their successful engagement with the enemy upon reaching the summit, setting the stage for the full divine panic that will grip the Philistines.

1 Samuel 14 13 Word analysis

• Then (וַיַּעֲל֞וּ - vayya'alu): A simple temporal conjunction, but its immediate placement signals a swift, decisive action following their challenging ascent described earlier. It underscores the culmination of their effort.
• Jonathan (יְהוֹנָתָן - Yehonatan): Means "Yahweh has given." His name implicitly ties his actions to divine enablement. His role here highlights individual faith as a catalyst for God's larger work. He acts without Saul's knowledge or consent, demonstrating personal conviction.
• and his armor-bearer (וְנֹשֵׂ֥א כֵלָיו֙ - wᵉnōśēʾ kēlāyw): The armor-bearer was a trusted, dedicated personal assistant who carried the warrior’s weapons, guarded him, and served closely. Their unified action signifies complete trust and coordination, indicating not just a follower but an active participant fully committed to Jonathan's risky endeavor and God's purpose.
• climbed up (וַיַּעֲל֞וּ - vayya'alu): Though it precedes "after them," the Hebrew syntax places this verb here. It signifies an arduous "ascent." The steep, rocky terrain made this climb a physically demanding and perilous undertaking, illustrating their courage and determination.
• after them: Refers to Jonathan and his armor-bearer advancing into the Philistine ranks who were attempting to flee or defend themselves. It implies active pursuit and engagement, not just passive observation.
• and they fell (וַיִּפְּל֣וּ - wayyiplu): This verb suggests a sudden, involuntary collapse or defeat. It indicates a swift and unexpected vulnerability on the part of the Philistines, hinting at divine intervention already beginning to affect them, beyond merely being engaged in combat. It can also imply death.
• before Jonathan: Directly in front of him. This detail emphasizes Jonathan's front-line leadership and the direct impact of his charge. The enemy literally crumpled in his presence, highlighting the swiftness and immediacy of their downfall.
• and his armor-bearer killed them (וְנֹשֵׂ֥א כֵלָיו֙ הֱמִיתָם֙ - wᵉnōśēʾ kēlāyw hēmīṯām): This is a powerful statement. The armor-bearer, typically a supportive role, is depicted actively killing. It underscores that this was a two-man assault, with each playing a vital, active part. It wasn't Jonathan fighting alone, but a synchronized, lethal partnership. The killing here ensures the decisive elimination of the threat.
• after him: The armor-bearer acted in close proximity and alignment with Jonathan’s advance. This demonstrates immediate follow-through and a perfectly coordinated effort. It indicates that as Jonathan created the opening by confronting the enemy, the armor-bearer moved immediately to secure the victory, demonstrating tactical precision and unwavering loyalty.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then Jonathan and his armor-bearer climbed up after them": This phrase marks the successful penetration of enemy lines by a highly audacious two-man team. The ascent signifies conquering physical obstacles through bold faith, not merely an attack. It underscores their complete trust in God over conventional military strategy or overwhelming odds.
• "and they fell before Jonathan": This is more than just casualties in battle; it suggests a divinely-induced fear or weakness. The enemies' "falling" or collapsing implies disarray and sudden loss of strength when confronted by Jonathan, foreshadowing the divine terror that would soon grip the entire Philistine camp. This highlights the supernatural element beginning to unfold.
• "and his armor-bearer killed them after him": This part emphasizes the joint, complementary, and effective action of the two men. It's a vivid description of decisive execution following the initial disarray of the Philistines. The armor-bearer’s active participation illustrates how God empowers not only the leader but also their loyal and equally-believing partner in faith. This wasn't a one-man show but a partnership in God's victory.

1 Samuel 14 13 Bonus section

This specific act of "falling before Jonathan" becomes the first indication of the panic (חרדה - charadah, 'trembling' or 'panic') that grips the Philistines, as fully revealed in verse 15. The literary technique shows the initial, immediate effect of Jonathan’s attack and faith, which God amplifies into a widespread rout and earthquake-like tremor. This passage can be understood as a partial fulfillment of a promise where God makes enemies stumble before His people (Ex 23:27). The very structure of the phrase highlights the immediate cause-and-effect relationship: Jonathan's daring confrontation (through faith) leads to the enemy's fall, and the armor-bearer's quick action ensures the result. This passage emphasizes a key biblical principle: when humans step out in faith, God often intervenes with supernatural power to accomplish His will.

1 Samuel 14 13 Commentary

1 Samuel 14:13 is a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty and His ability to use unlikely instruments to achieve magnificent victories. Jonathan's bold move, founded not on military strength but on profound faith (1 Sam 14:6), breaches the Philistine dominance and sets in motion a dramatic shift in the conflict. The detailed description highlights not just a battle, but a divinely-aided rout where enemies crumble under the impact of God's chosen vessels. The Philistines' immediate collapse ("fell before Jonathan") speaks to a divine disorientation or terror, which is further elucidated in subsequent verses where the ground trembles. The active role of the armor-bearer signifies the unity and shared faith that God often uses in His work. This verse stands as a testament that God's power is not limited by human strength, numbers, or weapons, but is magnified in and through acts of profound trust and obedience. It contrasts with Saul’s fear and provides a compelling picture of true, proactive reliance on the Almighty, inspiring courageous action in seemingly impossible circumstances.