And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that [was] in Geba, and the Philistines heard [of it]. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
Ver. 3. And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines.] By his father's command no doubt, 1Sa 13:4 - else he might have been served as T. Manlius dealt by his son; for overcoming the enemy without order, he put him to death, - but a God was not consulted with, and therefore the issue of this that Jonathan did was not so happy.
That was in Geba.] Or, Gibeah, his own native country: here this iuvenis animosus et audax, this black prince - so he might be called for his dreaded acts in battle; for "from the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back"; 2Sa 1:22 likeas of our Black Prince it is said, b that he assailed no nation which he overcame not, he besieged no city which he took not - made his first enterprise and foiled the enemy. If it be demanded what weapons Jonathan and his regiment made use of, since they had scarcely any of iron, 1Sa 13:19 Lucretius answereth,
“ Arma antiqua manas, c ungues. ”
So Virgil,
“ … hic torre armatus obusto,
Stipitis hic gravidi nodis. ”
And again,
“ Stipitibus duris agitur, sudibusve praeustis. ” - Aeneid. 7.
And Saul blew the trumpet.] Omnes ad arma classico convocat, he sounds an alarm all the country over: for he knew how he had angered those wasps the Philistines.
a Livy.
b Speed, 723.
c Pugnis rem agebant, a quibus pugna dicitur. - Cassidor.