The noun “Hebrew,” used of the Hebrew people, occurs only 35 times in the entire Bible, 31 times in the OT and 4 times in the NT. Of the 31 OT references, 16 occur in connection with Israel’s stay in Egypt and 5 in connection with this war against the Philistines (chs. 13 and 14). In contrast, the word “Israel” is used hundreds of times in the Scriptures, and the question arises as to why such a contrast should occur in these two instances. But one fact is clear. The term “Hebrew” is always used by foreigners or by Israelites when speaking of themselves to foreigners. It is now generally believed that “Hebrew” was the common name by which the Israelites were known to their neighbors (see on Gen. 10:21; 14:13). Pharaoh and his people seem to have used both names interchangeably (see Ex. 1:16; 5:2; 14:5; etc.; see also on 1 Sam. 13:7).

Although the Philistines were not at war with Israel, they nevertheless maintained posts in the hills, such as the one at Geba southwest of Michmash, across the wadi from it and over 200 ft. higher. The word neṣib, translated “garrison,” comes from the verb naṣab, “to take one’s stand,” “to be stationed,” that is, by appointment or in the line of duty. Not far away, at Ramah (see on ch. 1:1), was a school of the prophets organized by Samuel. Evidently Samuel tried to counter the heathen Philistine influence by placing his school nearby, hoping thus to draw the people back to the worship of Jehovah. If only the influence of the prophetic school had permeated the individual lives of the inhabitants of Geba, so that the Philistines could see the true import of God’s salvation, bloody warfare might have been averted and many Philistines might have accepted God, even as Naaman the Syrian did in later years (2 Kings 5).

About 4 mi. (6.4 km.) northeast of this Gibeah is Wadi Medineh, a great crack in the surface of the earth, hardly noticeable even a short distance from the brink. Its sides rise as impassable precipices, hundreds of feet in height. On the southwest side of the wadi is Geba, and 1 1/4 mi. (2.8 km.) to the northeast across this wadi lies the town of Michmash, on a tableland some 700 ft. (213.4 m.) lower than the district around Gibeah (Tell el-Fūl). The land to the east of Michmash slopes gently for some distance, making good farming land, and there is a clear view of the approach from Jericho. Bethel is about 6 mi. (9.6 km.) north of Gibeah and more than 100 ft. (30.5 m.) higher than Gibeah. Michmash would command the main road from Jericho and the Jordan valley to Bethel, and the chief highway running north from Jerusalem to Shechem. Saul posted his son Jonathan and a third of the armed soldiery at Gibeah, while, with two thirds of the company, he guarded the approach to Bethel and Gibeah from the east. This would be the most likely road the Ammonites would take should they seek to avenge themselves on Saul for his victory at Jabesh-gilead. He did not anticipate trouble from the west, for there was peace with the Philistines (ch. 7:13).

The Battle of Michmash =====

Heb. neṣib, “pillar,” “prefect,” “deputy,” “garrison,” or “post.” Commentators have generally felt that the meaning “prefect,” or “governor,” should be understood here as being more in harmony with the context (but see PP 616). In Gen. 19:26 neṣib is rendered “pillar,” and in 1 Kings 4:19 and 2 Chron. 8:10 as “officer” or “officers.”