1 Samuel 14:32

32 and so they rushed over to what they had captured from the enemy, took sheep and cattle, slaughtered them on the spot, and ate the meat with the blood still in it.

1 Samuel 14:32 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 14:32

And the people flew upon the spoil
Like a swift and ravenous bird, as the eagle, and which seems to have its name in Greek from this word, see ( Isaiah 46:11 ) . When the evening was come, and they were free from the oath of Saul, and being extremely hungry, faint, and weary, they were even ravenous for food and with the greatest haste and eagerness laid hold on what came first to hand:

and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew [them] on the ground;
and there they lay in their blood, which in such a position would not run out freely as when slain and hang up:

and the people did eat them with the blood;
they were so hungry they could not stay the dressing of them, but ate them raw with the blood in them, not being squeezed or drained out, at least not half boiled or roasted. Some of the Jewish Rabbins ^F1 are of opinion

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 See Jarchi in loc.

1 Samuel 14:32 In-Context

30 How much better it would have been today if our people had eaten the food they took when they defeated the enemy. Just think how many more Philistines they would have killed!"

31 That day the Israelites defeated the Philistines, fighting all the way from Michmash to Aijalon. By this time the Israelites were very weak from hunger,

32 and so they rushed over to what they had captured from the enemy, took sheep and cattle, slaughtered them on the spot, and ate the meat with the blood still in it.

33 Saul was told, "Look, the people are sinning against the Lord by eating meat with the blood in it." "You are traitors!" Saul cried out. "Roll a big stone over here to me."

34 Then he gave another order: "Go among the people and tell them all to bring their cattle and sheep here. They are to slaughter them and eat them here; they must not sin against the Lord by eating meat with blood in it." So that night they all brought their cattle and slaughtered them there.