Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Samuel 13:3

"And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba: and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear." — 1 Samuel 13:3 (ASV)

And Jonathan smote the garrison. —Jonathan throughout this history appears as the perfect example of a warrior, according to the standards of his era; he is always foremost in courage, activity, and speed, and was also slender and well-built.

This personal beauty and swiftness of foot in attack or retreat earned him the name “gazelle” among the troops. (The first lines of the song, 2 Samuel 1:19, can only be explained on the assumption that Jonathan was well known by this name in the army.) “In all this, as in his uprightness and fidelity, he showed himself a truly worthy son of a king.”—Ewald. Some translate the word correctly rendered “garrison” as “pillar,” a sign of Philistine authority; others—e.g., Ewald—as a proper name, supposing that it refers to the officer appointed to collect tribute from Israel in that part of the country.

And Saul blew the trumpet. —This was evidently more than an announcement of good news to the people. Saul intended it as a summons for Israel to prepare immediately for war.