1 Samuel 14:20
ESV
Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle. And behold, every Philistine 's sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion.
NIV
Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords.
NASB
Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and came to the battle; and behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow Philistine, and there was very great confusion.
CSB
Saul and all the troops with him assembled and marched to the battle, and there the Philistines were, fighting against each other in great confusion!
NLT
Then Saul and all his men rushed out to the battle and found the Philistines killing each other. There was terrible confusion everywhere.
KJV
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.
NKJV
Then Saul and all the people who were with him assembled, and they went to the battle; and indeed every man’s sword was against his neighbor, and there was very great confusion.
What does 1 Samuel 14:20 mean?
Please see our chapter commentary on 1 Samuel chapter 14, verse-level content coming soon!First Samuel 14:1–23 describes Jonathan's bold attack on a massive Philistine encampment with only his armor-bearer. Without telling anyone, the pair cross over a ravine between the two armies and attack, believing that the Lord may work for them. They kill twenty men, and the Lord sparks a panic that spreads to all the Philistines. When the Israelites see the tumult taking place, they attack the Philistines and are joined by all those who had surrendered or hid themselves. The Israelites drive the Philistines out of the region.
God sparks panic among the Philistines after Jonathan boldly attacks and kills twenty of the enemy. When Saul sees the Philistines are scattering and killing each other, the Israelites pursue them out of the region. The Lord remains silent when Saul asks if they should attack the Philistines by night. Lots cast to reveal sin among them fall on Jonathan, who broke an oath of the king which he did not know about. The people refuse to allow Saul to execute Jonathan for this crime. Saul does not pursue the Philistines that night, but throughout his days as king he experiences success over them and other enemies such as the Moabites, Ammonites, Amalekites, and Edomites.
