1 Samuel 14:30

30 If only the troops had eaten some of the enemies' food, which they found today. We would have killed more Philistines."

1 Samuel 14:30 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 14:30

How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely today of
the spoil of their enemies which they found?
&c.] That is, had they been, allowed eat freely of the provisions, of bread, wine they found in the enemy's camp, they would have been much more refreshed and strengthened than it could be supposed he was with eating a little honey; if that had had such an effect upon him, of what service would a full meal have been to the people?

for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the
Philistines?
the people would have had more strength to smite them, and would have pursued them with greater ardour and swiftness, and so have made a greater slaughter among them than they had; he intimates that Saul's end would have been better answered by suffering the people to eat, than by forbidding them.

1 Samuel 14:30 In-Context

28 Then one of the soldiers told him, "Your father forced the troops to take a solemn oath: 'Cursed is anyone who eats food today.'" Now, the army was exhausted.

29 Jonathan answered, "My father has brought trouble to the country. See how my eyes lit up when I tasted a little of this honey?

30 If only the troops had eaten some of the enemies' food, which they found today. We would have killed more Philistines."

31 That day they struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, but the troops were thoroughly exhausted.

32 So the troops seized the Philistines' belongings. They took sheep, cows, and calves, and butchered them on the ground. The troops ate the meat with blood still in it.