1 Samuel 14:43

43 Then Sha'ul said to Yonatan, Tell me what you have done. Yonatan told him, and said, I did certainly taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand; and, behold, I must die.

1 Samuel 14:43 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 14:43

Then Saul said to Jonathan, tell me what thou hast done
What sin he had committed, the lot having fallen on him, and found him out:

and Jonathan told him;
the whole of the matter, all the truth, without any reserve:

and said, I did but take a little honey with the end of the rod
that was in mine hand;
he speaks of the fact as a trivial thing, as if it was not deserving of death, though he was willing to submit to it; yet it seems strange he should say nothing of his ignorance of the charge and oath of Saul, and plead that in excuse of it; though Josephus ^F8 makes him to take notice of it: and, "lo, I must die"; am condemned to die, as the Targum; for which he was prepared and ready, being willing to testify an entire subjection to his father's authority and will. Josephus ^F9 represents him speaking with a generosity and greatness of soul, after this manner,

``death is most sweet to me, which is for the sake of maintaining thy piety and religion; and after so glorious a victory, it is the greatest consolation to me to leave the Hebrews conquerors of the Philistines.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 6. sect. 4.
F9 lbid.

1 Samuel 14:43 In-Context

41 Therefore Sha'ul said to the LORD, the God of Yisra'el, Show the right. Yonatan and Sha'ul were taken [by lot]; but the people escaped.

42 Sha'ul said, Cast [lots] between me and Yonatan my son. Yonatan was taken.

43 Then Sha'ul said to Yonatan, Tell me what you have done. Yonatan told him, and said, I did certainly taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand; and, behold, I must die.

44 Sha'ul said, God do so and more also; for you shall surely die, Yonatan.

45 The people said to Sha'ul, Shall Yonatan die, who has worked this great salvation in Yisra'el? Far from it: as the LORD lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he has worked with God this day. So the people rescued Yonatan, that he didn't die.