And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.

1 SAMUEL 14:20KJV
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1 Samuel 14:20 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 14:20 mean?

1 Samuel 14:20 describes how Saul and his men gathered together and rushed into the battle, only to find that the enemy soldiers were fighting each other in confusion, leading to a great panic and disorder among them. The verse highlights the chaos within the enemy camp, where every man’s sword was turned against his own companion.

Saul, the king of Israel, and his troops are responding to a sudden commotion coming from the Philistine camp. When they arrive, they witness the Philistines in total disarray, attacking one another instead of fighting the Israelites. This moment is a turning point in the battle, showing that the enemy is being defeated not by Israel’s strength, but by their own confusion and fear.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 14:20

  • "Assembled" (זָעַק, za'aq): This word often means to cry out or call together urgently, suggesting that Saul and his people quickly rallied in response to the noise and confusion.
  • "Discomfiture" (מְהוּמָה, mehūmāh): This word means tumult, confusion, or panic. It emphasizes that the Philistines were not just losing, but were thrown into a state of terror and disorder, causing them to turn on each other.

Why 1 Samuel 14:20 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the victory did not come from Israel’s military strategy, but from the confusion and panic that broke out among the Philistines themselves.
  • The scene connects to the wider story, where Jonathan’s earlier actions (with his armor-bearer) set off this chain of events, showing how small acts of faith can lead to unexpected outcomes.
  • Understanding the original words for “assembled” and “discomfiture” helps highlight the urgency and the scale of the chaos, making the dramatic turnaround in the battle even more striking.

Where else these words appear

“discomfiture” Hebrew H4103 · used in 12 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:23 But the LORD thy God shall deliver them unto thee, and shall destroy them with a mighty destruction, until they be destroyed.
  • 1 Samuel 5:11 So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.
  • Ezekiel 7:7 The morning is come unto thee, O thou that dwellest in the land: the time is come, the day of trouble is near, and not the sounding again of the mountains.

“assembled” Hebrew H2199 · used in 73 verses

  • Exodus 2:23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
  • 2 Samuel 13:19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
  • Isaiah 30:19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.