1 Samuel 14:15-25

15 And there was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and even ¹the raiders trembled, the earth quaked, and it became a very great panic. ^[a]

16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude ²was dispersing here and there. ^[b]

17 Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Count and see who has gone from us. ” And when they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there.

18 So Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here. ” For the ark of God went at that time with the people^[c] of Israel.

19 Now ³while Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand. ”

20 Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle. And behold, ⁴every Philistine’s sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion.

21 Now the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines before that time and who had gone up with them into the camp, ⁵even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.

22 Likewise, when all the men of Israel ⁶who had hidden themselves ⁷in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle.

23 ⁸So the Lord saved Israel that day. And the battle passed beyond ⁹Beth-aven.

Saul’s Rash Vow

24 And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day, ¹⁰so Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies. ” So none of the people had tasted food.

25 Now when all the people^[d] came to the forest, behold, there was honey on the ground.

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.

Cross References

• 1. 14:15 ch. 13:17
• 2. 14:16 Josh. 2:9
• 3. 14:19 Num. 27:21
• 4. 14:20 [Judg. 7:22; 2 Chr. 20:23]
• 5. 14:21 [ch. 29:4]
• 6. 14:22 ver. 11; ch. 13:6
• 7. 14:22 See Josh. 24:33
• 8. 14:23 Ex. 14:30
• 9. 14:23 ch. 13:5
• 10. 14:24 [Josh. 6:26]

Footnotes

• [a] 14:15 Or 'became a panic from God'
• [b] 14:16 Septuagint; Hebrew 'they went here and there'
• [c] 14:18 Hebrew; Septuagint '“Bring the ephod.” For at that time he wore the ephod before the people'
• [d] 14:25 Hebrew 'land'