1 Samuel 14:28

KJV

Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed [be] the man that eateth [any] food this day. And the people were faint.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then answered {H6030} one {H376} of the people {H5971}, and said {H559}, Thy father {H1} straitly {H7650} charged {H7650} the people {H5971} with an oath {H7650}, saying {H559}, Cursed {H779} be the man {H376} that eateth {H398} any food {H3899} this day {H3117}. And the people {H5971} were faint {H5774}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But one of the people said in response, "Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, 'A curse on any man who eats any food today'; even though the people are fainting with hunger."

Berean Standard Bible

Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the troops with a solemn oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food today.’ That is why the people are faint.”

American Standard Version

Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth food this day. And the people were faint.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 14:28 recounts a pivotal moment during Israel's battle against the Philistines, revealing the dire consequences of King Saul's impulsive and ill-advised oath. As the Israelite army, led by the valiant Jonathan, gains a significant advantage, a soldier explains to Jonathan the reason for the troops' debilitating exhaustion and their inability to press their victory: Saul had placed a strict, divinely-backed curse on anyone who consumed food before evening, a command that had left the weary soldiers faint and unable to pursue their fleeing enemies.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the narrative of Israel's early monarchy, specifically during a critical phase of the ongoing conflict with the Philistines. The preceding chapters detail Saul's anointing as king and his initial military successes, but also hint at his emerging character flaws. Immediately prior to this verse, Jonathan, acting with remarkable faith and courage, initiates a daring attack against a Philistine garrison, resulting in significant disarray within the enemy camp ([1 Samuel 14:1-15](/1_samuel/14-1-15 "1 Samuel 14:1-15 - Jonathan's Daring Attack")). Witnessing the Philistine confusion, King Saul, without consulting God, rashly pronounces a solemn oath, forbidding his soldiers from eating any food until evening, ostensibly as a means to secure a complete victory or perhaps as a misguided act of piety ([1 Samuel 14:24](/1_samuel/14-24 "1 Samuel 14:24 - Saul's Rash Oath")). Unaware of this binding oath, Jonathan, faint from the intense combat, innocently tastes wild honey found in the woods ([1 Samuel 14:27](/1_samuel/14-27 "1 Samuel 14:27 - Jonathan Tastes Honey")). Verse 28 serves as the crucial explanation to Jonathan, delivered by one of the common soldiers, clarifying the severe consequences of Saul's curse and the reason for the army's debilitating fatigue, thereby setting the stage for the dramatic and nearly tragic confrontation between Saul and his son.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, oaths were extraordinarily serious commitments, often invoking God's name and carrying the profound weight of a divine curse for their violation. A king's oath, particularly one made in a military context, would have been considered absolutely binding on the entire army, reflecting the king's supreme authority as God's anointed leader. Such vows were sometimes made in anticipation of divine favor or to ensure victory, but they also carried immense risks if made rashly or without proper divine counsel. While not explicitly a "herem" (devotion to destruction), the concept of a sacred ban or strict religious obligation in warfare was a familiar cultural understanding. The physical demands of ancient warfare were immense; soldiers often engaged in prolonged combat without adequate sustenance. Saul's prohibition, therefore, was not only cruel but also highly impractical, severely undermining the army's immediate need for strength to press their tactical advantage and pursue a fleeing enemy.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes developed throughout the book of 1 Samuel. It vividly illustrates the theme of **Rash Vows and Their Consequences**, demonstrating how Saul's impulsive and self-serving piety not only debilitated his army but also endangered his own son, a recurring motif where human will and misguided zeal clash with divine wisdom and practical discernment. The incident further underscores the theme of **Leadership and Its Impact**, portraying Saul as a king whose authority is frequently exercised without true discernment, compassion, or genuine reliance on God, standing in stark contrast to Jonathan's faith and, later, David's more God-centered leadership. The suffering of "the people" due to Saul's decree emphasizes the theme of **The Burden of Leadership's Failures**, showing how a king's ill-conceived decisions directly impact the well-being, morale, and effectiveness of his subjects, a pattern that consistently marks Saul's reign and ultimately leads to the tragic transfer of the kingdom to David ([1 Samuel 15:28](/1_samuel/15-28 "1 Samuel 15:28 - Kingdom Torn from Saul")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cursed (Hebrew, _ʼârar'_):** Derived from H779, this primitive root means "to execrate" or "bitterly curse." In this context, it signifies a solemn declaration of divine judgment or misfortune upon anyone who violates the oath. It highlights the severe spiritual and physical consequences Saul invoked, making the act of eating not merely disobedient but sacrilegious, carrying the weight of divine retribution.
* **Eateth (Hebrew, _ʼâkal'_):** From H398, this primitive root means "to eat (literally or figuratively)," encompassing consumption of food. Here, it refers to the simple act of taking sustenance. The prohibition against eating, despite the army's physical exertion and hunger, underscores the impracticality and severity of Saul's oath, turning a basic human need into a forbidden act punishable by a curse.
* **Faint (Hebrew, _ʻûwph'_):** From H5774, this primitive root means "to cover (with wings or obscurity)" and by implication, "to faint (from the darkness of swooning)." It describes a state of extreme physical exhaustion, weakness, and near collapse due to lack of food and prolonged exertion. This word vividly portrays the debilitating effect of Saul's oath on the army, rendering them ineffective at a critical juncture of the battle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then answered one of the people, and said,"**: This opening clause marks a crucial turning point, as it introduces the voice of a common soldier, who acts as a messenger of truth to Jonathan. This highlights the disconnect between the king's decree (made without the army's knowledge or consent) and the harsh reality experienced by the fighting men. It signifies the moment Jonathan learns the reason for the army's strange behavior and his own unwitting transgression.
* **"Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying,"**: This part explicitly identifies the source and nature of the binding command. The soldier attributes the severe prohibition directly to "thy father," King Saul, emphasizing that it was not a mere suggestion but a solemn decree enforced "with an oath." This clarifies the absolute and divinely-backed authority Saul attempted to wield, making the prohibition non-negotiable for the troops.
* **"Cursed [be] the man that eateth [any] food this day."**: This is the precise content of Saul's oath, a direct quote that reveals the specific prohibition and the dire consequence—a divine curse—for its violation. The temporal limitation "this day" implies a temporary restriction, yet its timing during intense physical combat proved disastrous, leading directly to the army's debilitation and hindering their pursuit of the enemy.
* **"And the people were faint."**: This concluding clause states the immediate and devastating consequence of Saul's oath. It underscores the severe physical toll on the soldiers, demonstrating that the king's decree, perhaps intended to secure victory through piety, had instead profoundly undermined the army's capacity to fight effectively and press their advantage. Their extreme faintness directly contrasts with the potential for a decisive and complete victory.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices that deepen its impact. **Irony** is profoundly evident, as Saul's attempt to secure a complete victory through a pious-sounding oath paradoxically leads to the severe debilitation of his army and nearly the death of his most capable son, Jonathan, thus hindering the very triumph he sought. There is also a strong element of **Pathos**, evoking deep sympathy for the suffering soldiers who are "faint" and exhausted due to a king's misguided and self-serving command, vividly highlighting the human cost of poor and impulsive leadership. The narrative also uses **Foreshadowing**, as Saul's rashness, self-centeredness, and willingness to sacrifice his people's well-being for his own perceived piety in this incident prefigure his later, more severe acts of disobedience and moral failures that ultimately lead to God's rejection of his kingship ([1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Saul's Rejection by God")). The common soldier's direct address to Jonathan further serves as a form of **Exposition**, providing crucial, otherwise unknown information to both Jonathan and the reader about the unseen, debilitating forces at play in the narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This incident profoundly illustrates the dangers of human zeal untempered by divine wisdom, compassion, and practical discernment. Saul's oath, while perhaps intended to demonstrate piety or secure divine favor, was a human imposition that ultimately brought suffering and hindered God's purposes, rather than advancing them. It highlights a critical theological principle: true devotion and effective leadership stem from listening to God's voice, understanding His character, and genuinely caring for His people, rather than imposing arbitrary, burdensome, or self-serving regulations. The narrative implicitly critiques a legalistic approach that prioritizes rigid adherence to human rules or misguided interpretations of piety over human well-being, mercy, and practical wisdom. God desires obedience, but also mercy and discernment, as articulated in passages that emphasize the spirit of the law over rigid, unthinking adherence to external decrees.

* [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4-5 "Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 - On Making and Fulfilling Vows")
* [Matthew 12:7](/matthew/12-7 "Matthew 12:7 - Jesus' Teaching on Mercy, Not Sacrifice")
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - God Desires Mercy, Not Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Saul's rash oath and its debilitating effect on his army serves as a powerful cautionary tale for all, particularly those in positions of leadership, whether in the church, family, workplace, or community. It compels us to consider the profound and often far-reaching impact of our words, decisions, and the "oaths" or expectations we impose on ourselves and others. True wisdom, as demonstrated in this passage, is not merely about imposing rules or demonstrating outward piety; it is about discerning God's will with humility, compassion, and foresight. We are called to lead and live with a spirit of grace, understanding that burdens placed on others, even with seemingly good intentions, can have unintended and deeply harmful consequences. This passage challenges us to critically evaluate our own "oaths"—the commitments, rules, or expectations we establish—and to ask if they truly serve God's purposes, promote the well-being of those under our care, and are rooted in divine wisdom rather than impulse, pride, or misguided zeal. It powerfully reminds us that God values mercy, practical care for His people, and genuine discernment above rigid, unthinking adherence to human-made decrees.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life or leadership might I be imposing "oaths" or burdens on myself or others without sufficient wisdom or compassion?**
* **How can I cultivate greater discernment and foresight before making significant commitments or decisions that impact others, ensuring they align with God's character?**
* **In what ways might my pursuit of "piety" or "success" unknowingly lead to exhaustion, hinder effectiveness, or diminish the well-being of those around me?**
* **How does this passage challenge my understanding of authority and the profound responsibility that comes with it, particularly in caring for those I lead?**

### FAQ

**Why did Saul make such a harsh oath, and was it a good idea?**

Answer: Saul likely made the oath out of a misguided sense of religious zeal, a desire to appear pious, or a desperate attempt to secure a decisive victory by invoking divine favor. He may have believed that by imposing this severe fast, God would grant them complete triumph over the Philistines. However, it was a profoundly unwise and ungodly decision. It was made without consulting God, without considering the physical realities of his exhausted troops, and ultimately hindered their ability to pursue the enemy effectively. The oath backfired, leading to the army's faintness and nearly costing Jonathan his life, demonstrating the dangers of human-initiated religious acts not aligned with God's wisdom or compassion. This incident exemplifies Saul's impulsive nature and his tendency to act on his own authority rather than seeking divine guidance, a pattern that ultimately leads to his downfall ([1 Samuel 13:8-14](/1_samuel/13-8-14 "1 Samuel 13:8-14 - Saul's Disobedience at Gilgal")).

**What does this incident teach us about leadership?**

Answer: This incident provides a stark and enduring lesson in leadership. It reveals Saul's tendency towards impulsive, self-serving, and authoritarian rule, rather than compassionate and discerning leadership. A truly effective leader considers the well-being, capabilities, and morale of those they lead. Saul's failure to do so led directly to the debilitation of his army and a near-tragedy involving his own son. It highlights that effective leadership requires not just authority, but also wisdom, empathy, and a humble reliance on divine guidance rather than human will or misguided zeal. The people's suffering, encapsulated in the phrase "And the people were faint," directly reflects the negative consequences of Saul's poor judgment, contrasting sharply with the kind of shepherd-leader God later raises up in David, who genuinely cares for his flock ([1 Samuel 16:1-13](/1_samuel/16-1-13 "1 Samuel 16:1-13 - David Anointed King")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Saul's rash oath and its devastating consequences finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Saul, as an earthly king, imposes a burdensome law that brings weakness, suffering, and near-death to his people, ultimately hindering their mission and demonstrating the futility of human-imposed legalism. This stands in stark contrast to Jesus Christ, the true and perfect King, who does not burden His people with impossible commands but rather fulfills the law perfectly on their behalf ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Where Saul's oath brought a curse and physical faintness, Jesus, through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death on the cross, became the curse for us, bearing the full weight of sin and its consequences, thereby liberating us from its power ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse of the Law")). He is the "bread of life" who truly sustains His people, offering spiritual nourishment and strength, ensuring that those who come to Him will "never hunger" and "never thirst" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Unlike Saul, whose leadership brought suffering and nearly sacrificed his son due to a misguided decree, Christ's leadership is one of boundless compassion, grace, and ultimate liberation, leading His people not into faintness, but into abundant and eternal life ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")). He is the Good Shepherd who willingly lays down His life for the sheep, ensuring their sustenance, salvation, and ultimate victory over sin and death ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life")).

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.

Cross-References

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.

1 Samuel 14:43

Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that [was] in mine hand, [and], lo, I must die.