שמואל א, פרק י״ד, פסוק כ״א

A sudden turning point in the battle against the Philistines brings a dramatic shift in the balance of power. As panic sweeps through the enemy camp, subjugated groups seize the opportunity to change sides and join the fight. The primary approach among commentators is that these individuals were Israelites who lived in Philistine territory [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. For a long time, they had lived under Philistine rule, serving them out of deep fear and submission [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. When the Philistines went to war, they forced these Israelites to march with them against their will [מצודת דוד, רלב״ג, רד״ק, חומת אנך].

Within the camp, these drafted men served either as an auxiliary military force [ביאור שטיינזלץ] or as support staff stationed around the perimeter to provide supplies and meet the army's needs [מלבי״ם]. Their location on the edges of the camp was not a coincidence. They deliberately positioned themselves away from the center of the conflict to avoid any chance of harming their own brothers [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Despite being forced into the enemy ranks, their secret intention was to remain completely loyal to Israel, no matter how the battle unfolded [חומת אנך].

The situation changes completely when these captive Israelites witness the divine panic and see God's hand striking the Philistines. Realizing the tide has turned, they immediately switch sides to fight alongside Saul and Jonathan [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Normally, such a betrayal would invite terrible revenge on their families left behind in Philistine cities. However, they had no fear of retaliation, as the Philistines were trapped in total confusion, blindly striking each other without knowing who was actually attacking them [רד״ק].

In stark contrast to this narrative of rebellion, an entirely different approach suggests that the reference to the past does not describe a history of subjugation. Instead, it recalls the era of the prophet Samuel, a time when Israel held the upper hand. Furthermore, according to this view, it was not captive Israelites who suddenly joined the battle, but rather the Philistines themselves who inadvertently aided Israel. Because the massive panic caused the Philistines to slaughter one another, the enemy forces effectively functioned as though they were fighting on behalf of Saul and Jonathan [רלב״ג].