שמואל א, פרק י״ד, פסוק כ׳

The tide of battle turns dramatically when an army arrives at the front lines only to find their enemy already destroying itself from within. Saul and the remaining Israelite troops rally together through loud shouts and cries [רד״ק, מצודת ציון], advancing directly into the heart of the Philistine camp [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

What they encounter upon arrival is a completely unexpected scene. Instead of facing a united front, they find that the fighting is actually taking place among the Philistines themselves [אברבנאל]. A profound sense of terror and confusion has overtaken the enemy camp. Many of the Philistines do not understand what is happening. As some attempt to flee in sheer panic, others try to stop them, sparking a violent internal clash [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This chaos is further amplified by a great panic sent by God. Stripped of their ability to recognize one another, the Philistines strike down their own comrades, mistakenly believing they are fighting the Israelites [רד״ק]. This divine confusion and the resulting self-destruction within the enemy camp serve as the primary factor that enables the Israelite victory [מלבי״ם].

Witnessing the once-fearsome Philistines fleeing in terror triggers a massive psychological shift among the Israelites. The sight injects sudden courage into those who had been living under Philistine oppression, as well as those who had previously hidden in caves out of fear, drawing them out to join the pursuit. This sudden reversal highlights a reality of human nature: while panic and distress often lead to weakness, the clear sight of victory fills people with bravery [אברבנאל].