1 Samuel 14:36

ยถ And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.

And Saul {H7586} said {H559}, Let us go down {H3381} after {H310} the Philistines {H6430} by night {H3915}, and spoil {H962} them until the morning {H1242} light {H216}, and let us not leave {H7604} a man {H376} of them. And they said {H559}, Do {H6213} whatsoever seemeth {H5869} good {H2896} unto thee. Then said {H559} the priest {H3548}, Let us draw near {H7126} hither {H1988} unto God {H430}.

Sha'ul said, "Let's go after the P'lishtim by night. We'll plunder them until dawn; we won't leave one of them alive." They answered, "Do whatever seems good to you." But the cohen said, "Let's approach God here."

And Saul said, โ€œLet us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until dawn, leaving no man alive!โ€ โ€œDo what seems good to you,โ€ the troops replied. But the priest said, โ€œWe must consult God here.โ€

And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and take spoil among them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.

Commentary

Context of 1 Samuel 14:36

This verse is situated during a critical moment in Israel's conflict with the Philistines. King Saul, having just witnessed a miraculous victory initiated by his son Jonathan, is eager to press the advantage and completely destroy the enemy. However, the day has been complicated by Saul's rash oath, forbidding his soldiers from eating until evening, which left them weary and led to them sinning by eating meat with the blood still in it (1 Samuel 14:32). The people's exhausted state and the recent sin indicate a need for spiritual rectification before further action. The priest, Ahiah (son of Ahitub, brother of Ichabod), who was wearing the ephod, plays a crucial role here by interjecting a call for divine consultation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Impulsivity vs. Divine Guidance: Saul's immediate desire to pursue the Philistines "by night" and "spoil them until the morning light" reveals his characteristic impulsiveness and reliance on human strategy. He assumes continued success without seeking God's will first. This contrasts sharply with the priest's counsel to "draw near hither unto God," highlighting the crucial importance of seeking divine approval before major undertakings, especially in warfare.
  • Seeking God's Will: The priest's interjection underscores the Old Testament principle that national decisions, particularly those involving military action, should be preceded by explicit consultation with God. This was often done through the Urim and Thummim, objects used by the high priest to discern God's will (Exodus 28:30). It serves as a reminder that true victory and blessing come from God, not merely from human might or swift action.
  • Spiritual Leadership and Authority: The priest, Ahiah, demonstrates courageous spiritual leadership by challenging the king's immediate impulse. He reminds Saul and the people that despite their enthusiasm for battle, their primary allegiance and first step should be to God. This highlights the role of spiritual authorities in ancient Israel to guide the nation according to God's commands.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "draw near hither unto God" (Hebrew: ื ึดื’ึฐึผืฉึธืื” ื”ึฒืœึนื ืึถืœึพื”ึธืึฑืœึนื”ึดื™ื, niggashah halom el-ha'Elohim) uses the verb niggashah, which means "to approach" or "to draw near." In this context, it signifies a formal, reverent approach for consultation or seeking an oracle from God, often through the priestly garments and the Urim and Thummim. It's not a casual suggestion but a call to a serious act of worship and discernment.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today. Just as Saul was eager to press on, we often face situations where we are tempted to act quickly based on our own perceived advantages or desires. However, the priest's wisdom serves as a powerful reminder to:

  • Prioritize Divine Counsel: Before making significant decisions, especially those with far-reaching consequences, we should pause and seek God's guidance through prayer, His Word, and wise counsel from godly individuals.
  • Beware of Impulsivity: Hasty decisions, even those made with good intentions, can lead to unforeseen complications or even sin, as seen in Saul's earlier rash oath (1 Samuel 14:24).
  • Cultivate Dependence on God: True success and blessing come from aligning our plans with God's will, acknowledging that He is the ultimate source of victory and wisdom, not merely our own strength or cleverness.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 48:1

    ยถ Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, [but] not in truth, nor in righteousness.

  • Isaiah 48:2

    For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts [is] his name.

  • Jeremiah 6:5

    Arise, and let us go by night, and let us destroy her palaces.

  • 1 Samuel 14:18

    And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.

  • 1 Samuel 14:19

    And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that [was] in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.

  • 1 Samuel 14:3

    And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.

  • Joshua 11:14

    And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe.
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