Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Samuel 13:23

"And the garrison of the Philistines went out unto the pass of Michmash." — 1 Samuel 13:23 (ASV)

The garrison of the Philistines went out. — These words form an introduction to the account of the heroic deed of Jonathan related in the following chapter. The Philistines are represented as sending out an armed detachment, or outpost, beyond the camp of Michmash, as a protection against a surprise by the Israelite force under the king and his son.