1 Samuel 14:32

32 the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep and oxen and calves, and slew them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood.

1 Samuel 14:32 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 14:32

And the people flew upon the spoil
Like a swift and ravenous bird, as the eagle, and which seems to have its name in Greek from this word, see ( Isaiah 46:11 ) . When the evening was come, and they were free from the oath of Saul, and being extremely hungry, faint, and weary, they were even ravenous for food and with the greatest haste and eagerness laid hold on what came first to hand:

and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew [them] on the ground;
and there they lay in their blood, which in such a position would not run out freely as when slain and hang up:

and the people did eat them with the blood;
they were so hungry they could not stay the dressing of them, but ate them raw with the blood in them, not being squeezed or drained out, at least not half boiled or roasted. Some of the Jewish Rabbins ^F1 are of opinion

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 See Jarchi in loc.

1 Samuel 14:32 In-Context

30 How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found; for now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great."

31 They struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash to Ai'jalon. And the people were very faint;

32 the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep and oxen and calves, and slew them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood.

33 Then they told Saul, "Behold, the people are sinning against the LORD, by eating with the blood." And he said, "You have dealt treacherously; roll a great stone to me here."

34 And Saul said, "Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them, 'Let every man bring his ox or his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and do not sin against the LORD by eating with the blood.'" So every one of the people brought his ox with him that night, and slew them there.