1 Samuel 14:34-44

34 Then Saul said, "Spread out through the troops, and tell them, 'Each of you, bring me your ox or your sheep, and butcher it here, and eat. But don't sin against the LORD by eating meat with blood in it.'" So each of the soldiers brought his ox with him that night and butchered it there.

35 Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar to the LORD.

36 Saul said [to his men], "Let's attack the Philistines tonight and take their possessions until the light of dawn. And let's not leave any of them [alive]." "Do whatever you think is best," they responded. But the priest said, "Let's consult God first."

37 Then Saul asked God, "Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to Israel?" But he received no answer that day.

38 So Saul ordered all the leaders of the troops, "Come here! Find out what sin was committed today.

39 I solemnly swear, as the LORD and Savior of Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan [who did it], he must die." But not one of the soldiers replied.

40 Saul told all Israel, "You stand on one side, and my son Jonathan and I will stand on the other side." "Do whatever you think is best," the troops responded to Saul.

41 Then Saul said to the LORD, "O God of Israel, why didn't you answer me today? If this sin is mine or my son Jonathan's, LORD God of Israel, [let the priest] draw Urim. But if it is in your people Israel, [let him] draw Thummim." Jonathan and Saul were chosen, and the people were freed [from guilt].

42 "Choose between me and my son Jonathan," Saul said. Then Jonathan was chosen.

43 "Tell me," Saul asked Jonathan. "What did you do?" So Jonathan told him, "I tasted a little honey on the tip of the staff I had in my hand. And for that I am to die?"

44 Saul said, "May God do worse things to me than are in this curse if you do not die, Jonathan!"

1 Samuel 14:34-44 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.