Then said Saul—number now, &c.— Though, Saul must easily have missed Jonathan, he could not suppose that he would fall upon the Philistines without a number of resolute persons to assist him. But when he found that his armour-bearer alone attended him, desirous to enquire into the reason of the matter, he consults with the high-priest, (1 Samuel 14:18.) ordering him to bring the ark of God (or, rather as the LXX have it, the ephod, which appears to be the true reading; see Houbigant's note). But while he was doing so, the tumult increasing, and it being evident that the Philistines were routed, Saul found it necessary to lose no longer time, but hasted immediately to make the best of this wonderful victory, 1 Samuel 14:20. Josephus assures us, that Saul did not attempt any thing upon this occasion till Ahiah promised him victory in the name of the Lord.
Related Commentaries of 1 Samuel 14:17
1 Samuel 14:17
17 Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.