1 Samuel 14:14

KJV

And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, [which] a yoke [of oxen might plow].

KJV (with Strong's)

And that first {H7223} slaughter {H4347}, which Jonathan {H3129} and his armourbearer {H5375}{H3627} made {H5221}, was about twenty {H6242} men {H376}, within as it were an half {H2677} acre {H4618} of land {H7704}, which a yoke {H6776} of oxen might plow.

Complete Jewish Bible

That first slaughter, of about twenty men, was accomplished by Y'honatan and his armor bearer in a space only half as long as one side of the area a pair of oxen could plow in a day [about 200 yards].

Berean Standard Bible

In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men over half an acre of land.

American Standard Version

And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armorbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were half a furrow’s length in an acre of land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 14:14 details the initial, decisive victory achieved by Jonathan and his armourbearer against a Philistine garrison. This verse precisely quantifies the extraordinary feat: approximately twenty Philistine soldiers were struck down within an incredibly confined space, described as "an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow." This seemingly small, isolated skirmish served as the divine catalyst for a much larger rout of the Philistine army, demonstrating God's power to deliver His people through the faith and courage of a faithful few, rather than through overwhelming numbers or conventional military might.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial turning point in the narrative of 1 Samuel 13-14, which depicts Israel under severe Philistine oppression. King Saul's army is demoralized, disarmed (as detailed in [1 Samuel 13:19-22](/1_samuel/13-19 "1 Samuel 13:19-22 - Philistine Disarmament of Israel")), and significantly outnumbered. The immediate preceding verses (1 Samuel 14:1-13) describe Jonathan's audacious decision, prompted by faith in God's deliverance regardless of numbers ([1 Samuel 14:6](/1_samuel/14-6 "1 Samuel 14:6 - Jonathan's Declaration of Faith")), to attack a Philistine outpost with only his armourbearer. They ascend a steep, dangerous pass, and their success in this initial engagement, as described in 1 Samuel 14:14, triggers a divine panic among the Philistines, leading to their subsequent widespread defeat. The verse marks the tangible beginning of God's intervention through Jonathan's faith.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges and early monarchy was characterized by frequent conflicts between Israel and the Philistines, who possessed superior iron technology and military organization. Israel, often lacking proper weaponry and centralized leadership, was frequently subjugated. The "half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow" refers to an ancient Hebrew measurement, likely indicating a very small, confined area—perhaps a narrow pass, a rocky outcrop, or a small clearing. This emphasizes the close-quarters, intense nature of the combat and underscores the incredible skill and divine assistance required for two men to overcome twenty in such a restricted space. The Philistine garrison at Michmash was strategically located, controlling a key pass, making Jonathan's assault even more daring and impactful.
* **Key Themes:** 1 Samuel 14:14 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Samuel and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Empowerment and Deliverance**, demonstrating that God is not limited by human numbers or military strength, but can grant victory through the few, as seen earlier with Gideon in [Judges 7:7](/judges/7-7 "Judges 7:7 - God Saves by Few"). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Faith and Initiative**, showcasing Jonathan's profound trust in God's ability to act, even when circumstances seem impossible, providing a stark contrast to Saul's wavering faith and impatience in [1 Samuel 13:8-14](/1_samuel/13-8 "1 Samuel 13:8-14 - Saul's Disobedience at Gilgal"). Finally, the verse introduces the theme of **Small Beginnings, Great Impact**, illustrating how a seemingly minor, individual act of faith can serve as the catalyst for a much larger, divinely orchestrated victory, setting the stage for the Philistine rout described in the subsequent verses of [1 Samuel 14](/1_samuel/14 "1 Samuel 14 - Jonathan's Victory and Saul's Rash Oath").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Slaughter (Hebrew: מַכָּה, _makkah_):** This word literally means "a blow," "a stroke," or "a defeat," often referring to a military defeat or a plague. In this context, it denotes a decisive and violent striking down of the enemy. The use of "first slaughter" emphasizes that this was the initial, catalytic act of destruction that set in motion the larger Philistine rout, highlighting its foundational importance to the subsequent events.
* **Half acre (Hebrew: מַעֲנָה, _ma'anah_):** This term, specifically "כְּחֵצִי מַעֲנָה צֶמֶד שָׂדֶה" (k'chetsi ma'anah tsemed sadeh), is a unique and somewhat debated ancient Hebrew land measurement. _Ma'anah_ refers to a "furrow" or "what a plow makes." _Tsemed_ means "a pair" or "a yoke (of oxen)." Thus, the phrase describes a very small area, literally "half a furrow of a pair of field" or "half of what a yoke of oxen could plow in a very short time." This emphasizes the extremely confined and limited space in which Jonathan and his armourbearer engaged and defeated twenty men, underscoring the intensity and miraculous nature of their victory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And that first slaughter":** This phrase immediately signals the commencement of the significant military action. It highlights that this was not merely an isolated incident but the initial, pivotal engagement that would trigger a larger chain of events leading to Israel's deliverance. It underscores the strategic importance of this specific act.
* **"which Jonathan and his armourbearer made":** This clause explicitly attributes the extraordinary feat to just two individuals. It emphasizes their courage, skill, and the divine empowerment that enabled them to achieve such a disproportionate victory against overwhelming odds, setting them apart from the demoralized Israelite army.
* **"was about twenty men":** This precise number quantifies the immediate impact of their assault. For two men to defeat twenty armed soldiers in hand-to-hand combat is a remarkable and almost unbelievable feat, pointing to supernatural assistance and the sheer ferocity of their attack.
* **"within as it were an half acre of land, [which] a yoke [of oxen might plow]":** This descriptive phrase vividly depicts the extremely confined battleground. The smallness of the area intensifies the sense of close-quarters combat and makes the victory even more astonishing. It suggests a narrow pass or a small, rocky clearing, where every movement and strike would have been critical, further highlighting the exceptional nature of their achievement.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Vivid Imagery** to paint a clear picture of the battle's intensity and scale, particularly through the precise, if archaic, land measurement. The description of "an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow" serves as a specific and relatable **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where a unit of agricultural work stands for a very small, confined plot of ground. This detail emphasizes the claustrophobic nature of the engagement, making the two men's victory over twenty all the more miraculous and highlighting the divine intervention at play. The phrase "first slaughter" also functions as **Foreshadowing**, hinting that this initial, localized victory will be the precursor to a much larger, sweeping defeat of the Philistines. The sheer disproportion of two men against twenty in such a small space also borders on **Hyperbole**, underscoring the divinely empowered nature of the victory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 14:14 stands as a powerful testament to God's ability to work through the few and the seemingly insignificant to accomplish His mighty purposes. It underscores the theological principle that divine power is not contingent upon human strength, numbers, or conventional military strategy, but rather on faith and obedience. Jonathan's audacious act, fueled by his unwavering trust in God, serves as a catalyst for national deliverance, demonstrating that God often initiates His greatest works through humble beginnings and unexpected agents. This event reinforces the sovereignty of God over battles and outcomes, reminding us that "the battle is the Lord's" ([1 Samuel 17:47](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - The Battle is the Lord's")).

* [Judges 7:7](/judges/7-7 "Judges 7:7 - God's Deliverance Through Gideon's Small Army")
* [Psalm 44:6-7](/psalms/44-6 "Psalm 44:6-7 - Not by Sword or Bow")
* [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might Nor by Power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 14:14 offers profound encouragement and challenge for believers navigating their own "battles" today. It reminds us that God is not limited by our perceived inadequacies, the overwhelming odds we face, or the seemingly confined spaces of our challenges. Just as Jonathan stepped out in faith with only his armourbearer, we are called to trust in God's power and take bold, obedient steps, even when human resources seem scarce or the opposition appears insurmountable. This verse inspires us to shift our focus from the magnitude of our problems to the infinitude of God's power. It teaches us that faithfulness in small, seemingly insignificant acts can be the very catalyst God uses to bring about monumental change and victory in our lives, our communities, and the world. Our limitations are merely opportunities for God to display His limitless strength.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "overwhelming odds" or "confined spaces" in your life are you currently facing where you feel limited?**
* **How might Jonathan's example of bold faith challenge you to step out in obedience, even when you feel ill-equipped or outnumbered?**
* **In what ways have you seen God use "small beginnings" or "few resources" to accomplish significant things in your own experience or in the church?**

### FAQ
**What does "an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow" mean in practical terms?**

Answer: This phrase refers to an ancient Hebrew unit of land measurement that describes a very small, confined area. It's not a standard "acre" as we understand it today. The Hebrew literally refers to "half a furrow of a yoke of field," or "half of what a pair of oxen could plow in a very short time." This vivid description emphasizes the extremely restricted and difficult terrain where the fighting took place—perhaps a narrow pass, a rocky clearing, or a small, enclosed space. It highlights the close-quarters, intense nature of the combat and makes the victory of two men over twenty even more astonishing, underscoring the miraculous and divinely empowered nature of their feat.

**Why is this "first slaughter" so significant in the broader narrative of 1 Samuel?**

Answer: This "first slaughter" is profoundly significant because it serves as the divine catalyst for the much larger rout of the Philistine army that follows in [1 Samuel 14](/1_samuel/14 "1 Samuel 14 - Jonathan's Victory and Saul's Rash Oath"). Prior to this, Israel was demoralized, disarmed, and under severe Philistine oppression. Jonathan's audacious act, fueled by his unwavering faith in God's ability to deliver regardless of numbers ([1 Samuel 14:6](/1_samuel/14-6 "1 Samuel 14:6 - Jonathan's Faith Declaration")), breaks the stalemate and ignites a divine panic among the Philistines. It demonstrates that God's power is not dependent on human strength or numbers, but on faith and obedience. This initial, seemingly small victory sets in motion a chain of events that leads to a major turning point in the conflict, re-establishing Israel's dominance and showcasing God's active intervention on behalf of His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jonathan's singular, decisive act of faith in 1 Samuel 14:14, where he and his armourbearer achieve an impossible victory against overwhelming odds in a confined space, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate, singular, and decisive victory of Jesus Christ. Just as Jonathan's "first slaughter" initiated the rout of Israel's physical enemies, Christ's singular act on the cross, a seemingly vulnerable and confined moment of suffering, constituted the definitive triumph over humanity's spiritual enemies: sin, death, and the devil. He, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), faced the full force of spiritual opposition and, through His death and resurrection, "disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). Jonathan's reliance on God's power, not human strength, points to Christ's divine nature and His victory achieved not by conventional might, but by sacrificial love and resurrection power. His victory, like Jonathan's, was the "first" and final blow that secured eternal deliverance, liberating all who believe from spiritual bondage and ushering in God's eternal kingdom ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Destroying the Devil's Power")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.