1 Samuel 14:44

44 Then Saul said, "So may God do [to me] and {more}, you will certainly die today, Jonathan!"

1 Samuel 14:44 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 14:44

And Saul answered, God do so and more also
A form of an oath imprecating evils upon him more and greater than he chose to mention, see the like form in ( Ruth 1:17 ) , though Abarbinel thinks this is not the form of an oath, but an asseveration of a curse that would befall him; as that God would not answer him when he inquired of him, and that he would add to do so again and again, if he died not:

for thou shall surely die, Jonathan;
such words from a father must be very striking to a son, and argue a want of paternal affection in Saul, that could call his son by his name, and deliver such a speech unto him in so strong a manner.

1 Samuel 14:44 In-Context

42 Then Saul said, "Let them cast [the lot] between me and my son Jonathan," and Jonathan was chosen.

43 So Saul said, "Tell me what you have done." So Jonathan told him and said, "I {merely tasted} a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am, I must die."

44 Then Saul said, "So may God do [to me] and {more}, you will certainly die today, Jonathan!"

45 But the army said to Saul, "Must Jonathan die, who accomplished this great victory in Israel? Far from it! As Yahweh lives, not a hair from his head will fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." So the army ransomed Jonathan and he did not die.

46 Saul went up from [pursuing the] Philistines, and [the] Philistines went to their place.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "so may he add"