TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.
KJV (with Strong's)
And Saul H7586 said H559, Disperse H6327 yourselves among the people H5971, and say H559 unto them, Bring me hither H5066 every man H376 his ox H7794, and every man H376 his sheep H7716, and slay H7819 them here, and eat H398; and sin H2398 not against the LORD H3068 in eating H398 with the blood H1818. And all the people H5971 brought H5066 every man H376 his ox H7794 with him H3027 that night H3915, and slew H7819 them there.
Complete Jewish Bible
Now," Sha'ul said, "go around among the people and tell them, 'Each of you is to bring his cow and his sheep and slaughter them here. Then eat. Don't sin against ADONAI by eating with the blood." So each person brought his animal with him that evening and killed it there.
Berean Standard Bible
Then he said, “Go among the troops and tell them, ‘Each man must bring me his ox or his sheep, slaughter them in this place, and then eat. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.’” So that night everyone brought his ox and slaughtered it there.
American Standard Version
And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against Jehovah in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.
World English Bible Messianic
Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people, and tell them, ‘Bring me here every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and kill them here, and eat; and don’t sin against the LORD in eating meat with the blood.’” All the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and killed them there.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Againe Saul said, Goe abroade among the people, and bid them bring me euery man his oxe, and euery man his sheepe, and slay them here, and eate and sinne not against the Lord in eating with the blood. And ye people brought euery man his oxe in his hand that night, and slew them there.
Young's Literal Translation
And Saul saith, `Be ye scattered among the people, and ye have said to them, Bring ye nigh unto me each his ox, and each his sheep; and ye have slain them in this place, and eaten, and ye do not sin against Jehovah to eat with the blood.' And all the people bring nigh each his ox, in his hand, that night, and slaughter them there.
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Samuel 14 verses 24–35
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.
25 And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.
26 And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.
27 But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
28 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.
29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
30 How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?
31 And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.
32 And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.
33 Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.
34 And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.
35 And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.
We have here an account of the distress of the children of Israel, even in the day of their triumphs. Such alloys are all present joys subject to. And such obstructions does many a good cause meet with, even when it seems most prosperous, through the mismanagement of instruments.
I. Saul forbade the people, under the penalty of a curse, to taste any food that day, Sa1 14:24. Here we will suppose, 1. That as king he had power to put his soldiers under this interdict, and to bind it on with a curse; and therefore they submitted to it, and God so far owned it as to discover, by the lot, that Jonathan was the delinquent that had meddled with the accursed thing (though ignorantly), on which account God would not be at that time enquired of by them. 2. That he did it with a good intention, lest the people, who perhaps had been kept for some time at short allowance, when they found plenty of victuals in the deserted camp of the Philistines, should fall greedily upon that, and so lose time in pursing the enemy, and some of them, it may be, glut themselves to such a degree as not to be fit for any more service that day. To prevent this, he forbade them to taste any food, and laid himself, it is likely, under the same restraint. And yet his making this severe order was, (1.) Impolitic and very unwise; for, if it gained time, it lost strength, for the pursuit. (2.) It was imperious, and disobliging to the people, and worse than muzzling the mouth of the ox when he treads out the corn. To forbid them to feast would have been commendable, but to forbid them so much as to taste, though ever so hungry, was barbarous. (3.) It was impious to enforce the prohibition with a curse and an oath. Had he no penalty less than an anathema wherewith to support his military discipline? Death for such a crime would have been too much, but especially death with a curse. Though superiors may chide and correct, they may not curse their inferiors; our rule is, Bless, and curse not. When David speaks of an enemy he had that loved cursing perhaps he meant Saul, Psa 109:17, Psa 109:18.
II. The people observed his order, but it had many inconveniences attending it. 1. The soldiers were tantalized; for, in their pursuit of the enemy, it happened that they went through a wood so full of wild honey that it dropped from the trees upon the ground, the Philistines having perhaps, in their flight, broken in upon the honeycombs, for their own refreshment, and left them running. Canaan flowed with honey, and here is an instance of it. They sucked honey out of the rock, the flinty rock (Deu 32:13); yet, for fear of the curse, they did not so much as taste the honey, Sa1 14:25, Sa1 14:26. Those are worthy of the name of Israelites that can deny themselves and their own appetites even when they are most craving, and the delights of sense most tempting, for fear of guilt and a curse, and the table becoming a snare. Let us never feed ourselves, much less feast ourselves, without fear. 2. Jonathan fell under the curse through ignorance. He heard not of the charge his father had given; for, having bravely forced the lines, he was then following the chase, and therefore might justly be looked upon as exempted from the charge and intended in it. But it seems it was taken for granted, and he himself did not object against it afterwards, that it extended to him, though absent upon so good an occasion. He, not knowing any peril in it, took up a piece of a honey-comb, upon the end of his staff, and sucked it (Sa1 14:27), and was sensibly refreshed by it: His eyes were enlightened, which began to grow dim through hunger and faintness; it made his countenance look pleasant and cheerful, for it was such as a stander-by might discern (Sa1 14:29): See how my eyes have been enlightened. He thought no harm, nor feared any, till one of the people acquainted him with the order, and then he found himself in a snare. Many a good son has been thus entangled and distressed, in more ways than one, by the rashness of an inconsiderate father. Jonathan, for his part, lost the crown he was heir to by his father's folly, which, it may be, this was an ill omen of. 3. The soldiers were faint, and grew feeble, in the pursuit of the Philistines. Jonathan foresaw this would be the effect of it; their spirits would flag, and their strength would fail, for want of sustenance. Such is the nature of our bodies that they soon grow unfit for service if they be not supplied with fresh recruits. Daily work cannot be done without daily bread, which our Father in heaven graciously gives us. It is bread that strengthens man's heart; therefore Jonathan reasoned very well, If the people had eaten freely, there would have been a much greater slaughter (Sa1 14:30); but, as it was, they were very faint, too much fatigued (so the Chaldee), and began to think more of their meat than of their work. 4. The worst effect of all was that at evening, when the restraint was taken off and they returned to their food again, they were so greedy and eager upon it that they ate the flesh with the blood, expressly contrary to the law of God, Sa1 14:32. Two hungry meals, we say, make the third a glutton; it was so here. They would not stay to have their meat either duly killed (for they slew the cattle upon the ground, and did not hang them up, as they used to do, that the blood might all run out of them) or duly dressed, but fell greedily upon it before it was half boiled or half roasted, Sa1 14:32. Saul, being informed of it, reproved them for the sin (Sa1 14:33): You have transgressed; but did not, as he should have done, reflect upon himself as having been accessory to it, and having made the Lord's people to transgress. To put a stop to this irregularity, Saul ordered them to set up a great stone before him, and let all that had cattle to kill, for their present use, bring them thither, and kill them under his eye upon that stone (Sa1 14:33), and the people did so (Sa1 14:34), so easily were they restrained and reformed when their prince took care to do his part. If magistrates would but use their power as they might, people would be made better than they are with more ease than is imagined.
III. On this occasion Saul built an altar (Sa1 14:35), that he might offer sacrifice, either by way of acknowledgment of the victory they had obtained or by the way of atonement for the sin they had been guilty of. The same was the first altar that he built, and perhaps the rolling of the great stone to kill the beasts on reminded him of converting it into an altar, else he would not have thought of it. Saul was turning aside from God, and yet now he began to build altars, being most zealous (as many are) for the form of godliness when he was denying the power of it. See Hos 8:14, Israel has forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples. Some read it, He began to build that altar; he laid the first stone, but was so hasty to pursue his victory that he could not stay to finish it.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 24–35. Public domain.
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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
King Saul, confronted with the grave spiritual transgression of his famished Israelite soldiers consuming meat with the blood after a long battle, issues an immediate and decisive command to rectify the sin. He instructs the people to bring their livestock to a central location for proper ritual slaughter, ensuring the blood is drained and the meat is consumed in accordance with the Mosaic Law. This swift action underscores Saul's responsibility as king to uphold God's covenant and prevent further defilement, even as it highlights the consequences of his own earlier rash oath that led to the army's desperate hunger.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to powerfully convey its message and underscore the gravity of the situation. Direct Discourse is prominently featured, as Saul's precise instructions are quoted verbatim, allowing the reader to directly apprehend his authoritative command and the rationale behind it. This technique highlights his immediate and decisive response to the crisis. There is also a strong element of Juxtaposition between the people's desperate, lawless eating in 1 Samuel 14:32 and their subsequent orderly, obedient slaughter and consumption in 1 Samuel 14:34. This stark contrast emphasizes the dramatic shift from chaos and sin to order and compliance with divine law. Furthermore, the narrative employs Repetition of the acts of "slaying" and "eating," first in Saul's command and then in the description of the people's action, reinforcing the critical importance of the proper, ritually compliant procedure. The underlying Symbolism of blood, representing life and atonement, permeates the passage, imbuing the seemingly simple act of eating with profound theological weight and spiritual significance.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The immediate rectification of the sin of eating blood in 1 Samuel 14:34 profoundly underscores the paramount importance of obedience to God's covenant commands, particularly those related to the sanctity of life and the proper handling of blood. The Mosaic Law's prohibition against consuming blood was not merely an arbitrary dietary restriction but a foundational theological principle emphasizing that all life belongs to God and that blood, as the very essence and carrier of life, was uniquely reserved for atonement. This incident reveals God's meticulous concern for holiness and ritual purity, even in the face of human desperation and flawed leadership. It highlights the corporate responsibility of the people to adhere to divine statutes and the king's sacred duty to guide them in righteousness, ensuring that even basic human needs are met in a way that honors God. The swift response to purify the people through proper slaughter foreshadows the ongoing and perpetual need for atonement and cleansing in the presence of a holy God.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage serves as a potent and enduring reminder that even in moments of extreme duress, perceived necessity, or overwhelming hunger, our unwavering commitment to God's revealed will must remain paramount. The Israelite soldiers, driven by physical desperation, compromised their spiritual integrity, demonstrating how immediate physical needs or desires can powerfully tempt us to disregard clear divine commands. Saul's subsequent action, though reactive and a consequence of his own earlier folly, highlights the crucial importance of accountability and the urgent need for immediate repentance and rectification when sin is recognized. For believers today, this means cultivating a deep and abiding reverence for God's Word, allowing it to meticulously guide our decisions and actions even when circumstances are challenging, inconvenient, or seemingly impossible. It also calls leaders, whether in the church, family, or community, to a higher standard, reminding them of their sacred responsibility to shepherd those under their care in truth and righteousness, providing clear pathways for obedience and actively preventing spiritual compromise. Ultimately, the profound sanctity of life, powerfully symbolized by the blood, points us to the sacredness of all human life and, more profoundly, to the ultimate sacrifice that alone cleanses us from all sin.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was eating blood such a serious sin in ancient Israel?
Answer: Eating blood was considered a grave sin because, according to the Mosaic Law, "the life of the flesh is in the blood" (Leviticus 17:11). God had explicitly reserved blood for the sacred purpose of atonement, to make expiation for sins upon the altar. By consuming blood, one was essentially disregarding the sacredness of life itself, profaning the very substance designated by God for reconciliation and purification. This prohibition was established even before the Mosaic Law, in the Noahic covenant (Genesis 9:4), underscoring its foundational and universal importance. It served as a tangible reminder that all life belongs to God and that all life, and thus its blood, was sacred and set apart for divine purposes.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Old Testament prohibition against eating blood, so vividly enforced by Saul in 1 Samuel 14:34, ultimately finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment and ultimate meaning in the New Covenant. The meticulous draining and offering of the shed blood of animals for atonement under the Law served as a powerful type and shadow, pointing inexorably to the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His precious blood, unlike that of bulls and goats, is not merely symbolic but possesses true, eternal cleansing power, providing full and complete redemption for sin (Hebrews 9:12). The sanctity of blood, which strictly prevented its common consumption in the Old Covenant, foreshadowed the incomparable preciousness of Christ's perfect, sinless life, willingly given as the supreme atoning sacrifice on the cross (1 Peter 1:18-19). In the New Covenant, believers are no longer bound by the dietary restriction concerning blood but are instead invited to partake spiritually in the "body and blood" of Christ through the Eucharist, signifying their profound union with Him and their participation in His saving atoning death (John 6:53-56). Thus, the Old Testament law, by highlighting the gravity of sin and the absolute necessity of blood for atonement, meticulously prepares the way for understanding the incomparable value and efficacy of the blood of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!