1 Samuel 14:15-25

15 And a miracle was done in the Philistines? tents, and by their fields, but also all the people of the Philistines? station that went out to take prey, dreaded, and their tents were troubled; and it befelled as a miracle of God. (And so terror spread across that field, and among the Philistines? host, or army, and all the people at the Philistines? station who went out to take prey were afraid, and the army was greatly troubled; and so it befell as a miracle of God.)
16 And the espyers of Saul beheld this doing, that were in Gibeah of Benjamin, and lo! a multitude of the Philistines was cast down, and fleeing away hither and thither. (And Saul's watchmen, who were in Gibeah of Benjamin, beheld this event, and lo! many Philistines were thrown down, and others fled away here and there.)
17 And Saul said to the people that were with him, Seek ye, and see ye, who went away from us. And when they had sought, it was found, that Jonathan and his squire were not present.
18 And Saul said to Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of the Lord; for the ark of God was there in that time with the sons of Israel. (And Saul said to Ahiah, Bring the ephod here; for at that time Ahiah carried the ephod before the Israelites.)
19 And when Saul spake to the priest, a great noise (a)rose in the tents of the Philistines; and it increased little and little, and it sounded more clearly. And Saul said to the priest, Withdraw thine hand (And Saul said to the priest, Hold back thy hand!).
20 Therefore Saul cried, and all the people that was with him; and they came unto the place of battle, and, lo! the sword of each man was turned to his neighbour, and a full great slaying was. (And then Saul and all the people who were with him cried together; and they came to the place of the battle, and, lo! the sword of each man was turned against his neighbour, and there was a very great slaughter.)
21 But also the Hebrews that were with (the) Philistines yesterday and the third day ago, and had gone up with them in(to) their tents, turned again to be with the men of Israel, that were with Saul and Jonathan.
22 Also all the men of Israel, that had hid themselves in the hill (country) of Ephraim, heard that the Philistines had fled; and they fellowshipped themselves with their men in [the] battle, and as ten thousand of men were with Saul (and about ten thousand men were with Saul).
23 And the Lord saved Israel in that day (And the Lord saved Israel that day). And the battle came till to Bethaven.
24 And men of Israel were fellowshipped to themselves in that day; forsooth Saul swore to the people, and said, Cursed be the man that eateth bread till to eventide, till I venge me of mine enemies. And all the people ate no bread. (And the men of Israel felt faint that day; for Saul had commanded to the people, and said, Cursed be the man who eateth any food before evening, until I avenge myself upon my enemies. And so all the people ate no food.)
25 And all the common people of the land came into a forest, in which was honey on the face of (the) earth (where 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.

Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.