1 Samuel 14:15-25

15 And there was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even the garrison and ¹the raiders trembled, and ²the earth quaked so ³that it became a great trembling.

16 Now Saul's watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away; and they went here and there.

17 Saul said to the people who were with him, "Number now and see who has gone from us." And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there.

18 Then Saul said to Ahijah, "⁴Bring the ark of God here." For the ark of God was at that time with the sons of Israel.

19 ⁵While Saul talked to the priest, the commotion in the camp of the Philistines continued and increased; so Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand."

20 Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and came to the battle; and behold, ⁶every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion.

21 Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines previously, who went up with them all around in the camp, even ⁷they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.

22 When all the ⁸men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines had fled, even they also pursued them closely in the battle.

23 So ⁹the LORD delivered Israel that day, and the battle spread beyond ¹⁰Beth-aven.

Saul's Foolish Order

24 Now the men of Israel were hard-pressed on that day, for Saul had ¹¹put the people under oath, saying, "Cursed be the man who eats food before evening, and until I have avenged myself on my enemies." So none * of the people tasted food.

25 All the people of the land entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground *.

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1 Samuel 14:15-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 14

This chapter gives an account of an adventure of Jonathan and his armourbearer smiting a garrison of the Philistines, 1Sa 14:1-14, which with other circumstances struck terror into the whole army; which being observed by Saul's spies, he and his men went out against them, and being joined by others, pursued them, and obtained a complete victory, 1Sa 14:15-23, but what sullied the glory of the day was a rash oath of Saul's, adjuring the people not to eat any food till evening which Jonathan not hearing of ignorantly broke, 1Sa 14:24-31 and which long fasting made the people so ravenous, that they slew their cattle, and ate them with the blood, contrary to the law of God, for which they were reproved by Saul, 1Sa 14:32-34, upon which he built an altar, and inquired of the Lord whether he should pursue the Philistines all that night till morning, but had no answer; which made him conclude sin was committed, and which he inquired after, declaring that if it was his own son Jonathan that had committed it he should surely die, 1Sa 14:35-39, the people being silent, he cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonathan; who had it not been for the resolution of the people that rescued him out of his hands, because of the great salvation he had wrought, must have died, 1Sa 14:40-46 and the chapter is cited with an account of Saul's battles with the neighbouring nations in general, and of his family, 1Sa 14:47-52.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 11

1. 1 Samuel 13:17, 18
2. 1 Samuel 7:10
3. Genesis 35:5; 2 Kings 7:6
4. 1 Samuel 23:9; 1 Samuel 30:7
5. Numbers 27:21
6. Judges 7:22; 2 Chronicles 20:23
7. 1 Samuel 29:4
8. 1 Samuel 13:6
9. Exodus 14:30; 1 Samuel 10:19; 1 Samuel 14:23; 1 Chronicles 11:14; 2 Chronicles 32:22; Psalms 44:7
10. 1 Samuel 13:5
11. Joshua 6:26

Footnotes 5

[a]. Lit "trembling of God"
[b]. Lit "muster(ed)"
[c]. Lit "muster(ed)"
[d]. Lit "passed over"
[e]. Lit "until"