1 Samuel14
English Standard Version
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1 One the of to the who his , , let us go to the on the . But he did his .
2 was in the of the cave at . The who were him were about ,
3 including the of , , of , of , the of the Lord in , an . And the did had .
4 the , by to go the , was a on the and a on the . The of the was , and the of the .
5 The on the in of , and the on the in of .
6 to the who his , , let us go to the of these . It may that the Lord will for us, the Lord from by or by .
7 And his to him, is in your . Do as you . , I am you .
8 Then , , we will cross to the , and we will ourselves to them.
9 they to us, we to you, then we will in our , and we will to them.
10 But they , Come to us, then we will , the Lord has them into our . And shall be the to us.
11 So of them themselves to the of the . And the , , are the they have themselves.
12 And the of the and his and , Come to us, and we will you a . And to his , me, the Lord has them into the of .
13 Then on his and , and his him. And they , and his them him.
14 And that , and his , killed about within as it were a in an of .
15 And there was a in the , in the , and the . The and the , the , and it became a very .
16 And the of in of , and , the was and .
17 Then to the were with him, and has us. And when they had , , and his were there.
18 So to , the of . the of went at that with the of .
19 was to the , the in the of the and . So to the , your .
20 Then and the were him and into the . And , Philistine’s was against his , and there was .
21 Now the who had been with the that and had them into the , even they turned to be the were and .
22 Likewise, when the of who had themselves in the of the were , them in the .
23 So the Lord that . And the .
24 And the of had been that , so had laid an on the , , be the who it is and I am on my . So of the had .
25 Now when the to the , , there was the .
26 And when the the , , the was , but no his to his , the the .
27 But had his the with the , so he the of the was in his and it in the and his to his , and his .
28 Then of the , Your the with an , , be the this . And the were .
29 Then , My has the . my have I a of .
30 How the had of the of their they . the among the has been .
31 They the that from to . And the were .
32 The on the and and and and them on the . And the them the .
33 Then they , , the are against the Lord by the . And he , You have dealt ; a to me .
34 And , yourselves among the and to them, Let his or his and them and , and do against the Lord by with the . So every of the his that and they them .
35 And an to the Lord; it was the that he to the Lord.
36 Then , Let us the by and them the ; let us a of them. And they , to you. But the , Let us draw to .
37 And of , Shall I the ? Will you them into the of ? But he did him that .
38 And , , you of the , and and has arisen .
39 as the Lord who , it in my , he shall . But there was not a the who him.
40 Then he to , You shall be on , and I and my will be on the . And the to , what to you.
41 Therefore , O Lord of , why have you not answered your servant this day? If this guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O Lord, God of Israel, Urim. But if this guilt is in your people Israel, give . And and were , but the .
42 Then , the lot between me and my . And was .
43 Then to , me you have . And him, I a with the of the was in my . I am; I will .
44 And , to me and ; you shall , .
45 Then the to , Shall , has in ? ! As the Lord , there shall of his to the , he has with . So the , so that he did .
46 Then from the , and the to their own .
47 When had the , he against his on every , against , against the , against , against the of , and against the . he he them.
48 And he and the and out of the of those who them.
49 Now the of were , , and . And the of his were these: the of the was , and the of the .
50 And the of was the of . And the of the of his was the of , .
51 was the of , and the of was the of .
52 There was the the of . And when , or , he him to himself.
People in this chapter — 24
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1 Samuel 14Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Samuel 14. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Jonathan smites the Philistines. (1–15). Their defeat. (16–23). Saul forbids the people to eat till evening. (24–35). Jonathan pointed out by lot. (36–46). Saul's family. (47–52).
vv1-15
Saul seems to have been quite at a loss, and unable to help himself. Those can never think themselves safe who see themselves out of God's protection. Now he sent for a priest and the ark. He hopes to make up matters with the Almighty by a partial reformation, as many do whose hearts are unhumbled and unchanged. Many love to have ministers who prophesy smooth things to them. Jonathan felt a Divine impulse and impression, putting him upon this bold adventure. God will direct the steps of those that acknowledge him in all their ways, and seek to him for direction, with full purpose of heart to follow his guidance. Sometimes we find most comfort in that which is least our own doing, and into which we have been led by the unexpected but well-observed turns of Divine providence. There was trembling in the host. It is called a trembling of God, signifying, not only a great trembling they could not resist, nor reason themselves out of, but that it came at once from the hand of God. He that made the heart, knows how to make it tremble.
vv16-23
The Philistines were, by the power of God, set against one another. The more evident it was that God did all, the more reason Saul had to inquire whether God would give him leave to do any thing. But he was in such haste to fight a fallen enemy, that he would not stay to end his devotions, nor hear what answer God would give him. He that believeth, will not make such haste, nor reckon any business so urgent, as not to allow time to take God with him.
vv24-35
Saul's severe order was very unwise; if it gained time, it lost strength for the pursuit. Such is the nature of our bodies, that daily work cannot be done without daily bread, which therefore our Father in heaven graciously gives. Saul was turning aside from God, and now he begins to build altars, being then most zealous, as many are, for the form of godliness when he was denying the power of it.
Key Words
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
יוֹנָתָן: Jonathan, the name of ten Israelites
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
שָׁאוּל: Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
נַעַר: (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age)
נָשָׂא: to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
כְּלִי: something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
יָלַךְ: to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
עָבַר: to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation)
Cross References
1 Samuel 14Parallels Jonathan's faith that God can save by many or by few.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Direct geographical and narrative link to the Philistines' garrison at the passage of Michmash.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Historical precedent of God defeating enemies by causing them to destroy one another.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Geographical parallel locating Migron in the immediate vicinity of Gibeah.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Establishes Ahiah's lineage, linking back to Ichabod and the tragic loss of the Ark.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Proposing a specific conversational sign to discern and confirm God's providential will.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The foundational Levitical prohibition against eating meat with blood, violated by the faint people.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Verbal link to wearing an ephod as the distinct privilege of Eli's house.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Shared theological contempt for 'uncircumcised' foes, showing covenant-based confidence in God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Illustrates the practice of seeking divine counsel before proceeding into battle.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the use of lots to discover the individual whose sin brought divine silence.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Idiomatic expression of complete protection: 'not one hair of his head' shall fall.
Supported by JFB
The Philistines mock the Israelites for hiding in holes, referencing their previous flight.
Supported by JFB
Another instance where God sends a supernatural panic to rout an enemy army.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Anticipates Saul's commissioned, comprehensive campaign against the Amalekites in the next chapter.
Supported by Matthew Henry