1 Samuel 14:24

¶ And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed [be] the man that eateth [any] food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted [any] food.

And the men {H376} of Israel {H3478} were distressed {H5065} that day {H3117}: for Saul {H7586} had adjured {H422} the people {H5971}, saying {H559}, Cursed {H779} be the man {H376} that eateth {H398} any food {H3899} until evening {H6153}, that I may be avenged {H5358} on mine enemies {H341}. So none of the people {H5971} tasted {H2938} any food {H3899}.

Isra'el's soldiers had been driven to exhaustion that day; but Sha'ul issued this warning to the people: "A curse on any man who eats any food until evening, when I will have finished taking vengeance on my enemies." So none of the people even tasted food.

Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food.

And the men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until it be evening, and I be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted food.

Commentary

1 Samuel 14:24 recounts a critical moment in the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines, highlighting King Saul's impulsive leadership and its immediate, negative impact on his people.

Context

This verse is set amidst a significant military engagement. Earlier in 1 Samuel 14, Saul's son, Jonathan, with only his armor-bearer, had launched a daring, faith-filled attack against the Philistine garrison, causing confusion and panic among the enemy. The Israelite army, initially hiding in fear, then joined the pursuit. However, at this crucial juncture, King Saul, perhaps seeking to enhance his own glory or to ensure a decisive victory, made a rash and ill-conceived oath. The Israelite soldiers were already exhausted from the day's fighting and pursuit, making Saul's command particularly burdensome.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Rash Vows and Their Consequences: Saul's "adjured" (sworn under an oath or curse) command was born out of a desire for vengeance rather than a dependence on God's power. Such hasty and ill-advised vows often lead to unintended suffering, as seen here.
  • Leadership and Its Impact: This verse starkly illustrates the difference between effective, compassionate leadership and self-serving, impulsive rule. Saul's decision directly undermines the strength and morale of his own army, hindering their ability to achieve a complete victory.
  • The Burden of Obedience: The people, out of fear of the curse, abstained from food, despite their physical exhaustion. Their obedience to Saul's flawed command led to their "distressed" state, emphasizing the heavy toll of misguided authority.
  • Human Weakness vs. Divine Providence: Saul's focus on personal "vengeance" and his attempts to control the battle through human means (a fasting oath) contrast sharply with Jonathan's earlier faith-filled actions, which relied on God's intervention.

Linguistic Insights

The word "adjured" (Hebrew: shaba') signifies a solemn oath, often accompanied by a curse, making it a binding and serious declaration. This highlights the weight of Saul's command. The term "distressed" (Hebrew: la'ah) implies not just mental anguish but deep physical weariness and exhaustion, underscoring the severe impact of the forced fasting on the Israelite soldiers during intense combat.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the dangers of impulsive decision-making, particularly for those in positions of authority. It reminds us:

  • To exercise wisdom and seek divine guidance before making commitments, especially those that impact others.
  • That true leadership prioritizes the well-being and effectiveness of those being led, rather than personal glory or rash decrees.
  • That sometimes, well-intentioned obedience to human authority can lead to unnecessary hardship if that authority is misguided.
  • To trust in God's provision and power for victory, rather than relying on human strength or self-imposed burdens. This incident sets the stage for Jonathan's unwitting transgression of the oath and the subsequent conflict within Saul's family.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 6:26 (5 votes)

    And Joshua adjured [them] at that time, saying, Cursed [be] the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest [son] shall he set up the gates of it.

  • Romans 10:2 (3 votes)

    For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

  • Judges 11:30 (2 votes)

    And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,

  • Judges 11:31 (2 votes)

    Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.

  • Joshua 6:17 (2 votes)

    ¶ And the city shall be accursed, [even] it, and all that [are] therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that [are] with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

  • Joshua 6:19 (2 votes)

    But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, [are] consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.

  • Judges 5:2 (2 votes)

    Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.