Verse 14:[1] And the LORD looked upon him, and said, (1 Sam. 12:11; Heb. 11:32, 34) Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: (Josh. 1:9; Judg. 4:6) have not I sent thee?
[And He looked upon, etc. (thus the Septuagint, Montanus, Drusius, Pagnine, similarly Junius and Tremellius, Munster, Tigurinus)] That is, with benevolent and gentle eyes (Bonfrerius, Lapide): thus promising help, and rousing him to faith (Lapide).
[וַיִּפֶן[2]] And the Lord turned toward him, and said (Jonathan). Having turned toward him, the Lord said (Syriac). He came near to him (Arabic).
[The Lord, יְהוָה] That is, the Angel, representing God (Bonfrerius, Lapide, Grotius), and for this reason called Jehovah (Grotius, Martyr). The one sent speaks in the name of the one sending, and is received as the sender (Vatablus). We are able to say that God said these things through an Angel: Just as the Angel said those things that God instructed him, so what things a legate relates, the same the King is said to have related (Drusius). Or, this Angel was Christ (Drusius, Martyr).
The Lord looked upon him, with a settled and pleasant countenance, as a testimony of his favour to him, and of his readiness to help him.
[Go in this thy might] In the strength that I formerly imparted to thee, and now increase, and hereafter will more greatly enlarge (Lapide, Bonfrerius, Malvenda, Junius). Supported by this thy strength: that is to say, Thou shalt be content with the strength now given to thee (Vatablus, similarly the Hebrews in Martyr). In this thy vigor, namely, this vigor of soul in which thou longest for the help of Jehovah (Piscator). Or thus; Gideon had asked, Where are His miracles? and so the Angel responds, Thou shalt go in the strength in which those things were formerly performed, and by it thou shalt liberate Israel (Martyr).
Go in this thy might; or, go now, or at this time, in thy might; the strength which thou hast already received, and dost now further receive from me, is sufficient with my help.
[Know that I have sent thee] Hebrew: Have not I sent thee?[3] which is to say, Does not the matter stand thus, that God by me hath sent thee? therefore, hesitate not hereafter (Vatablus). This is of the very greatest concern for the discharing of anything, to be called and sent by God. Hence by degrees the Angel reveals who He is (Bonfrerius).
Have not I sent thee? I do hereby give thee command and commission for this work, and therefore am obliged in honour to assist thee in it.
[1] Hebrew: וַיִּ֤פֶן אֵלָיו֙ יְהוָ֔ה וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לֵ֚ךְ בְּכֹחֲךָ֣ זֶ֔ה וְהוֹשַׁעְתָּ֥ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מִכַּ֣ף מִדְיָ֑ן הֲלֹ֖א שְׁלַחְתִּֽיךָ׃
[2] פָּנָה signifies to turn.
[3] Hebrew: הֲלֹ֖א שְׁלַחְתִּֽיךָ׃.