TRV
Translation
King James Version
And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.
Complete Jewish Bible
instead of consulting ADONAI. Therefore ADONAI put him to death and turned the rulership over to David the son of Yishai.
Berean Standard Bible
and he failed to inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.
American Standard Version
and inquired not of Jehovah: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.
World English Bible Messianic
and didn’t inquire of the LORD: therefore he killed him, and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And asked not of the Lord: therefore he slewe him, and turned the kingdome vnto Dauid the sonne of Ishai.
Young's Literal Translation
and he inquired not at Jehovah, and He putteth him to death, and turneth round the kingdom to David son of Jesse.
See also
In the KJVVerse 10,674 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Chronicles 10 verses 8–14
8 ¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa.
9 And when they had stripped him, they took his head, and his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry tidings unto their idols, and to the people.
10 And they put his armour in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.
11 And when all Jabeshgilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,
12 They arose, all the valiant men, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
13 So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;
14 And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.
Here, I. From the triumph of the Philistines over the body of Saul we may learn, 1. That the greater dignity men are advanced to the greater disgrace they are in danger of falling into. Saul's dead body, because he was king, was abused more than any other of the slain. Advancement makes men a mark for malice. 2. That, if we give not to God the glory of our successes, even the Philistines will rise up in judgment against us and condemn us; for, when they had obtained a victory over Saul, they sent tidings to their idols - poor idols, that knew not what was done a few miles off till the tidings were brought to them, nor then either! They also put Saul's armour in the house of their gods, Ch1 10:10. Shall Dagon have so honourable a share in their triumphs and the true and living God be forgotten in ours?
II. From the triumph of the men of Jabesh-Gilead in the rescue of the bodies of Saul and his sons we learn that there is a respect due to the remains of the deceased, especially of deceased princes. We are not to enquire concerning the eternal state; that must be left to God: but we must treat the dead body as those who remember it has been united to an immortal soul and must be so again.
III. From the triumphs of divine Justice in the ruin of Saul we may learn, 1. That the sin of sinners will certainly find them out, sooner or later: Saul died for his transgression. 2. That no man's greatness can exempt him from the judgments of God. 3. Disobedience is a killing thing. Saul died for not keeping the word of the Lord, by which he was ordered to destroy the Amalekites. 4. Consulting with witches is a sin that fills the measure of iniquity as soon as any thing. Saul enquired of one that had a familiar spirit, and enquired not of the Lord, therefore he slew him, Ch1 10:13, Ch1 10:14. Saul slew himself, and yet it is said, God slew him. What is done by wicked hands is yet done by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God. Those that abandon themselves to the devil shall be abandoned to him; so shall their doom be. It is said (Sa1 28:6) that Saul did enquire of the Lord and he answered him not: but here it is said, Saul did not enquire of God; for he did not till he was brought to the last extremity, and then it was too late.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 8–14. Public domain.
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Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
QUESTIONS ON FIRST CHRONICLES, PROLOGUE
The Chronicles also speak about the tabernacle because a temple of the Lord had not yet been built by either Samuel or David. The text also adds that that the holy services were held in the tabernacle. Worship was observed at that time according to the number of the days of the week. For it also says, “and their kindred who were in their villages were obliged to come in every seven days, in turn, to be with them.” With regard to the holy utensils it says, “Some of them had charge of the utensils of service, for they were required to count them when they were brought in and taken out. Others of them were appointed over the furniture, and over all the holy utensils, also over the choice flour, the wine, the oil, the incense and the spices.” And about the priests it says, “Others, of the sons of the priests, prepared the mixing of the spices.” With regard to the tomb of Saul the Chronicles gives us much information, and in the Book of Kings itself we read that his bones were gathered and buried in the land of Jabesh.
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
QUESTIONS ON 1 CHRONICLES, PROLOGUE
There is abundant information in the books of Chronicles which were written to continue the books of the Kings and to preserve the memory of such important events. The first book begins with a genealogy that sets out to demonstrate how the human race came from a single man. Since it focuses only on the single kingdom of Judah, it can tell us about its cities and the villages, and from where they took their names. Here we come to know Nathan, from whom the blessed Luke constructed the beginning of his genealogy of our Lord and Savior, Son of David and Solomon’s brother4 on his mother’s side: “The following children were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimeah, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon, that is, the four children he fathered with Bersabea, daughter of Ammiel.” And Rechab6 herself, who is mentioned in many books of Scripture, is said to have come from the tribe of Judah.It also clearly explains why Reuben lost his birthright and Joseph gained it and also, finally, the reason why the tribe of Judah obtained the highest honor: “The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. He was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright; though Judah became prominent among his brothers and a ruler came from him, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph.” It also explains the reason why such a great honor was conceded to Joseph. By the will of God Judah had the dignity of receiving the Lord who was born from him according to the flesh. This is the sense tacitly expressed with the words “a leader from him.” Indeed the passage seems to assert that not only the kings of the earth derived from Judah, but also the eternal king himself who had no beginning and will never end.
It also describes the situation of the tribes beyond the Jordan, those of Reuben and Gad, and even the tribes of Manasseh which later were received into those of the Hagarites and the Itureans, and talks about the tribes of the Naphiseans, and all those peoples who entered into conflict with them. In addition the text relates how they fought and won, and made the Hagarites flee. And it also reports the reason for the victory: “When they received help against them, the Hagarites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried to God in the battle, and he granted their entreaty because they trusted in him.” It also describes the amount of the spoils of war: “They captured their livestock: 50, of their camels, 250, sheep, 2, donkeys and 100, captives. Many were slain because the war was from God. And they lived in their territory until the exile.”
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
QUESTIONS ON 1 CHRONICLES, PROLOGUE
The genealogy of the priests and the Levites comes after this. It relates that Zadok, who was high priest at the time of David, had been the eleventh from Aaron; that Azariah, nephew of Zadok, had been the first to receive the priestly anointing in the temple built by Solomon. Among them there was also Jehozadak, who was brought to Babylon as a war prisoner. Jesus9 was his son, a high priest as well, who delivered the people from bondage together with Zerubbabel, and built a temple for the Lord. Here we also learn that Korah, who revolted against the great Moses, was a nephew of Isaar, son of Caath and brother of Amram, Aaron’s and Moses’ father. According to this lineage he was related to the first legislator. But he himself paid in the desert for his errors, although his children did not share the punishment of their father. From here Samuel13 came and then Aeman, who intoned Psalms and was a nephew of the prophet Samuel. In fact he was the son of Joel, son of Samuel. On the other hand, Asaph, one of the singers, came from the lineage of Gerson, son of Levi and brother of Caath. Aetham, who also belonged to the group of the singers, had Merari, the third son of Levi, as great-grandfather.The text also explains the difference between the priests and the Levites. It relates that the Levites were initiated into all the ministries of the holy altar of God: “But Aaron and his sons made offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense, doing all the work of the most holy place, to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.” It seems to me, in fact, that this book was written after the return from Babylon. For this reason it also talks about the bondage and explains its cause: “So all Israel was enrolled by genealogies; and these are written in the book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. Now the first to live again in their possessions in their towns were Israelites, priests, Levites, and temple servants.” These accounts show that the book was begun after the captivity. Indeed no historian ever relates facts that happened afterwards, but what happened before or during his times. And actually only the prophets have the power to foretell the future. In addition it says that also those who had inhabited that land before them had been enslaved. And actually many of them still live with them: the Canaanites, Chettites, Jebusites, who had been their companions in such a misfortune. Also the priests and the Levites were brought into captivity with the Israelites. I believe that those who were called “the saints’ servants” were then called Nathinim. Many of them, in fact, consecrated themselves to the ministries of the priests and the Levites. There were among them also those who were entrusted with the carrying of the water, the gathering of wood and other necessary duties. Indeed, if it was imposed to the Gabaonites, who were foreigners, to follow Joshua in the praises and to perform some works as porters or carpenters, this task was even more the duty of the Israelites. As a proof of this I have found in the interpretation of Hebrew names that this name means “house of Iaō,” that is, “of the God who is.” The text, in fact, mentions the children of Israel and among them Judah and Benjamin, and Ephraim18 and Manasseh. It also mentions the priests and the Levites, who inhabited those cities. About the Korēnites it says that they derived from Korah. It also says that among them there had been the guardians of the temple of God as well, and it seems that this custom had been introduced by Samuel and David. “All these, who were chosen as gatekeepers at the thresholds, were two hundred twelve. They were enrolled by genealogies in their villages. David and the prophet Samuel established them in their office of trust. So they and their descendants were in charge of the gates of the house of the Lord, that is, the house of the tent, as guards. The gatekeepers were on the four sides, east, west, north, and south.”
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
First Chronicles 10:14 serves as a concise yet profound theological summation of King Saul's tragic end, attributing his demise directly to his persistent and fatal spiritual rebellion: his failure to diligently seek and obey the Lord. This pivotal verse not only explains the divine judgment that brought about the downfall of Israel's first monarch but also highlights God's absolute sovereignty in orchestrating the transfer of the kingdom to David, the son of Jesse, thereby marking a monumental transition in the history of God's chosen people and the establishment of the Davidic dynasty.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse provides the climactic theological explanation for King Saul's death, which is narrated in detail throughout 1 Chronicles 10. The chapter opens with the Philistine victory over Israel on Mount Gilboa, leading to Saul's severe wounding and eventual suicide. The preceding verse, 1 Chronicles 10:13, explicitly states the Chronicler's interpretive framework: Saul died "for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it." Verse 14 then distills this multifaceted transgression into its core spiritual failure: his neglect to "enquire of the LORD." This immediate literary context emphasizes that Saul's death was not merely a military defeat but a divinely ordained judgment, setting the stage for the subsequent narrative that meticulously details David's rise and reign as God's chosen king. The Chronicler's emphasis here serves to justify the shift in kingship from Saul to David, portraying it as a righteous act of God.
Historical & Cultural Context: Saul was the inaugural king of Israel, anointed by God through the prophet Samuel in response to the people's demand for a king. In ancient Israelite society, the king was expected to be God's vice-regent, ruling under divine authority and consistently seeking God's counsel for national decisions, particularly in matters of war and justice. Legitimate means of inquiry included consulting prophets, priests (who used the Urim and Thummim), and direct prayer. Saul's repeated failure to "enquire of the LORD" was a grave dereliction of his sacred duty and a profound act of spiritual independence. His desperate and forbidden consultation with the medium of Endor shortly before his final battle (narrated in 1 Samuel 28) underscores his spiritual desperation and rejection of God's established channels, ultimately sealing his fate and highlighting his unsuitability for the divinely appointed kingship.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching theological themes central to Chronicles and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost is the consequences of disobedience and spiritual independence, demonstrating unequivocally that neglecting God's counsel and relying on self or forbidden sources leads to divine judgment, as starkly illustrated by Saul's downfall. It also underscores God's absolute sovereignty over kingship, revealing that it was God Himself who "slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David." This emphasizes the theological truth articulated elsewhere that God "removes kings and sets up kings" (Daniel 2:21). Furthermore, the verse subtly introduces the theme of divine faithfulness amidst human failure, as God, despite Saul's profound rebellion, remains faithful to His overarching redemptive plan to establish a righteous king, ultimately leading to the anointing of David, a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 16:13). The Chronicler's primary aim is to legitimate David's kingship by showing it was God's sovereign will, not merely a political coup.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several potent literary devices in this concise verse to convey profound theological truths. Causality is prominently featured, establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship between Saul's failure to inquire of the Lord and God's subsequent judgment, culminating in his death and the transfer of the kingdom. This direct link underscores the principle of divine retribution. Conciseness is also evident, as the verse distills complex historical events and theological principles into a powerful, summary statement, serving as the Chronicler's definitive theological explanation for Saul's end and David's rise. Furthermore, the verse employs Divine Agency by attributing Saul's death and the transfer of the kingdom directly to God ("he slew him, and turned the kingdom"), even though human actions (Saul's suicide, David's anointing) were involved. This highlights God's ultimate sovereignty and active involvement in human affairs, particularly in matters of kingship and covenant. The use of Contrast is also implicit, setting Saul's disobedience against the implied obedience and divine favor that would characterize David's reign, thereby legitimizing the new dynasty.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 10:14 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of kingship under Yahweh, emphasizing that true leadership in Israel must be characterized by humble dependence on God. Saul's tragic end is presented not as a mere military defeat, but as a direct consequence of his spiritual rebellion and refusal to submit to divine authority. This narrative reinforces the principle that God holds rulers accountable for their obedience to His word and that He retains ultimate sovereignty over the rise and fall of kingdoms. The transfer of the kingdom to David is thus portrayed as a divine act of both judgment and faithfulness, paving the way for the establishment of the Davidic covenant and the lineage through which the Messiah would come.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The stark reality of 1 Chronicles 10:14 serves as a timeless warning and a profound invitation for believers today. Saul's downfall reminds us that spiritual independence and self-reliance, especially in positions of leadership or influence, are perilous paths that lead away from God's blessing and into judgment. Our lives, decisions, and aspirations must be continually submitted to the Lord, seeking His wisdom through prayer, diligent study of His Word, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. In a world that often champions autonomy and self-sufficiency, this verse calls us to a radical dependence on God, acknowledging His sovereignty over every aspect of our existence. It encourages us to cultivate a habit of "enquiring of the LORD" in all things, trusting that His guidance, though sometimes challenging, always leads to life and alignment with His perfect will. Moreover, it reassures us that even amidst human failure and the consequences of sin, God's overarching purposes will prevail, and His faithfulness to His promises remains unwavering, offering hope that His divine plan will unfold despite our imperfections.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "enquired not of the LORD" specifically mean in this context?
Answer: In this context, "enquired not of the LORD" (Hebrew: lo darash b'YHWH) means that King Saul failed to diligently seek divine guidance and counsel through the legitimate and established means available to him as king of Israel. This included consulting prophets like Samuel, utilizing the priestly Urim and Thummim for divine revelation, or engaging in earnest prayer. Saul's consistent neglect of these spiritual disciplines demonstrated a profound lack of trust in God and a preference for his own judgment or even illicit spiritual practices, such as his consultation with the medium of Endor, which was strictly forbidden by God's law (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). It signifies a pattern of spiritual independence and disobedience that ultimately led to his downfall and God's rejection of his kingship.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 10:14 recounts the tragic end of King Saul and the transfer of the earthly kingdom to David, it powerfully foreshadows the ultimate, perfect King, Jesus Christ. Saul's failure to "enquire of the LORD" highlights the profound human need for a leader who is perfectly obedient and perfectly aligned with God's will. Unlike Saul, who sought his own way and consulted forbidden sources, Jesus consistently lived in perfect communion with the Father, always doing "those things that please him" (John 8:29). His life was one of complete submission and reliance on God, culminating in His ultimate act of obedience on the cross, where He laid down His life according to the Father's will (Philippians 2:8). Furthermore, just as God "turned the kingdom unto David," establishing a dynasty that would lead to the Messiah, He has established Jesus as the King of an eternal, spiritual kingdom, a kingdom that "shall have no end" (Luke 1:33). Through Christ's perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, the true and everlasting reign of God is inaugurated, inviting all who believe to be delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred into His glorious kingdom (Colossians 1:13), living under His perfect, righteous rule forevermore.