King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect [lot]. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Sha'ul said to ADONAI the God of Isra'el, "Who is right?" Y'honatan and Sha'ul were chosen by lot, and the people went free.
Berean Standard Bible:
So Saul said to the LORD, the God of Israel, “Why have You not answered Your servant this day? If the fault is with me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim; but if the fault is with the men of Israel, respond with Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were selected, but the people were cleared of the charge.
American Standard Version:
Therefore Saul said unto Jehovah, the God of Israel, Show the right. And Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot; but the people escaped.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Therefore Saul{H7586} said{H559} unto the LORD{H3068} God{H430} of Israel{H3478}, Give{H3051} a perfect{H8549} lot. And Saul{H7586} and Jonathan{H3129} were taken{H3920}: but the people{H5971} escaped{H3318}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Acts 1:24
- And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all [men], shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
Joshua 7:16
- ¶ So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:
Joshua 7:18
- And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.
1 Samuel 10:20
- And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
1 Samuel 10:21
- When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.
Jonah 1:7
- And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil [is] upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.
Proverbs 16:33
- ¶ The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the LORD.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Samuel 14:41
1 Samuel 14:41 is set within the broader narrative of the ongoing conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines during the reign of King Saul. The verse captures a pivotal moment when Saul seeks divine guidance to identify who among his army is guilty of a sin that has brought trouble upon them. In the preceding chapters, Jonathan, Saul's son, had attacked a Philistine garrison in Geba, leading to a series of battles. Saul had previously made a rash oath that no one should eat until the battle was won, which Jonathan inadvertently violated, unaware of the oath.
In 1 Samuel 14:41, Saul specifically asks the "LORD God of Israel" to reveal the cause of their predicament through the casting of lots, a common ancient practice for discerning God's will. The verse states that Saul requests a "perfect lot," indicating a desire for an unambiguous answer from God. When the lots are cast, both Saul and Jonathan are implicated, while the rest of the people are spared. This outcome points to the gravity of Saul's oath and Jonathan's unintentional transgression, highlighting themes of divine judgment, the consequences of hasty vows, and the need for leaders to be wise and circumspect.
This moment is significant in Saul's narrative as it underscores his increasing desperation and his reliance on God's guidance in a time of crisis. It also foreshadows Saul's eventual downfall, as his decision-making becomes more erratic and his obedience to God's command less consistent. The verse reflects the complex relationship between human actions, divine will, and the consequences that unfold in the context of Israel's early monarchy.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7586
There are 335 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאוּל
Transliteration: Shâʼûwl
Pronunciation: shaw-ool'
Description: passive participle of שָׁאַל; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites; Saul, Shaul. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H3051
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָהַב
Transliteration: yâhab
Pronunciation: yaw-hab'
Description: a primitive root; to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come; ascribe, bring, come on, give, go, set, take. - Strong's Number: H8549
There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תָּמִים
Transliteration: tâmîym
Pronunciation: taw-meem'
Description: from תָּמַם; entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth; without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled, upright(-ly), whole. - Strong's Number: H3129
There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹנָתָן
Transliteration: Yôwnâthân
Pronunciation: yo-naw-thawn'
Description: a form of יְהוֹנָתָן; Jonathan, the name of ten Israelites; Jonathan. - Strong's Number: H3920
There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָכַד
Transliteration: lâkad
Pronunciation: law-kad'
Description: a primitive root; to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere; [idiom] at all, catch (self), be frozen, be holden, stick together, take. - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H3318
There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָצָא
Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.