1 Samuel 14:37

37 So Saul asked God, "Should I chase the Philistines? Will you let us defeat them?" But God did not answer Saul at that time.

1 Samuel 14:37 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 14:37

And Saul asked counsel of God
He agreed to the motion of the high priest, and asked counsel by Urim and Thummim; the Targum is, as before,

``inquired by the Word of the Lord:''

shall I go down after the Philistines?
pursue after them in their flight to their own country, which, lying to the sea, was a descent:

wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel?
what remain of them, otherwise a victory over them was obtained:

but he answered him not that day;
no answer was returned by Urim and Thummim, so that he was left in suspense whether he should pursue or no; the Targum is,

``he received not his prayer that day;''

this was treating him in a righteous manner; since he would not stay for an answer from the Lord, ( 1 Samuel 14:19 ) , the Lord now will not give him any; though the principal view was, that he might take the step he did.

1 Samuel 14:37 In-Context

35 Then Saul built an altar to the Lord. It was the first altar he had built to the Lord.

36 Saul said, "Let's go after the Philistines tonight and rob them. We won't let any of them live!" The men answered, "Do whatever you think is best." But the priest said, "Let's ask God."

37 So Saul asked God, "Should I chase the Philistines? Will you let us defeat them?" But God did not answer Saul at that time.

38 Then Saul said to all the leaders of his army, "Come here. Let's find out what sin has been done today.

39 As surely as the Lord lives who has saved Israel, even if my son Jonathan did the sin, he must die." But no one in the army spoke.