Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.
Ver. 9. Be strong, and quit yourselves like men.] Though they were convinced that they should fight against God, yet they hearten up themselves, and resolve to fight howsoever: so doth every obstinate sinner. Ahaziah sent a third captain to fetch the prophet ai despito di Die, as if he would despitefully spit in the face of Heaven, and wrestle a fall with the Almighty.
That ye be not servants unto the Hebrews.] That ye lose not your sweet liberty. Philo Judaeus reporteth of a certain heathen people, who in their wars used only this expression, to put spirit into their soldiers, Estote viri, libertas agitur. Play the men, for your liberty lieth at stake.