TRV
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Samuel 14 verses 36–46
Here is, I. Saul's boasting against the Philistines. He proposed, as soon as his soldiers had got their suppers, to pursue them all night, and not leave a man of them, Sa1 14:36. Here he showed much zeal, but little discretion; for his army, thus fatigued, could as ill spare a night's sleep as a meal's meat. But it is common for rash and foolish men to consider nobody but themselves, and, so that they might but have their humour, not to care what hardships they put upon those that are under them. However, the people were so obsequious to their king that they would by no means oppose the motion, but resolved to make the best of it, and, if he will go on, they will follow him: Do whatsoever seemeth good to thee. Only the priest thought it convenient to go on with the devotions that were broken off abruptly (Sa1 14:19), and to consult the oracle: Let us draw near hither unto God. Princes and great men have need of such about them as will thus be their remembrancers, wherever they go, to take God along with them. And, when the priest proposed it, Saul could not for shame reject the proposal, but asked counsel of God (Sa1 14:37): "Shall I go down after the Philistines? And shall I speed?"
II. His falling foul on his son Jonathan: and the rest of this paragraph is wholly concerning him: for, while he is prosecuted, the Philistines make their escape. We know not what mischief may ensue upon on rash resolve.
1.God, by giving an intimation of his displeasure, put Saul upon searching for an accursed thing. When, by the priest, he consulted the oracle, God answered him not, Sa1 14:37. Note, When God denies our prayers it concerns us to enquire what the sin is that has provoked him to do so. Let us see where the sin is, Sa1 14:38. For God's ear is not heavy that it cannot hear, but it is sin that separates between us and him. If God turns away our prayer, we have reason to suspect it is for some iniquity regarding our hearts, which we are concerned to find out, that we may put it away, may mortify it, and put it to death. Saul swears by his Maker that whoever was the Achan that troubled the camp, by eating the forbidden fruit, should certainly die, though it were Jonathan himself, that is, though ever so dear to himself and the people, little thinking that Jonathan was the man (Sa1 14:39): He shall surely die, the curse shall be executed upon him. But none of the people answered him, that is, none of those who knew Jonathan had broken the order would inform against him.
2.Jonathan was discovered by lot to be the offender. Saul would have lots cast between himself and Jonathan on the one side, and the people on the other, perhaps because he was as confident of Jonathan's innocency in this matter as of his own, Sa1 14:40. The people, seeing him in a heat, durst not gainsay any thing he proposed, but acquiesced: Do as seemeth good unto thee. Before he cast lots, he prayed that God would give a perfect lot (Sa1 14:41), that is, make a full discovery of this matter, or, as it is in the margin, that he would show the innocent. This was with an air of impartial justice. Judges should desire that truth may come out, whoever may suffer by it. Lots should be cast with prayer, because they are a solemn appeal to Providence, and by them we beg of God to direct and determine us (Act 1:24), for which reason some have condemned games that depend purely upon lot or chance as making too bold with a sacred thing. Jonathan at length was taken (Sa1 14:42), Providence designing hereby to countenance and support a lawful authority, and to put an honour upon the administration of public justice in general, reserving another way to bring off one that had done nothing worthy of death.
3.Jonathan ingenuously confesses the fact, and Saul, with an angry curse, passes sentence upon him. Jonathan denies not the truth, nor goes about to conceal it, only he thinks it hard that he must die for it, Sa1 14:43. He might very fairly have pleaded his invincible ignorance of the law, or have insisted upon his merit, but he submitted to the necessity with a great and generous mind: "God's and my father's will be done:" thus he showed as much valour in receiving the messengers of death himself as in sending them among the Philistines. It is as brave to yield in some cases as it is in other cases to fight. Saul is not mollified by his filial submission nor the hardness of his case; but as one that affected to be thought firm to his word, and much more to his oath; even when it bound him hardest, with another imprecation he gives judgment upon Jonathan (Sa1 14:44): "God do so and more also to me if I do not execute the law upon thee, for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan." (1.) He passed this sentence too hastily, without consulting the oracle. Jonathan had a very good plea in arrest of the judgment. What he had done was not malum in se - bad in itself; and, as for the prohibition of it, he was ignorant of that, so that he could not be charged with rebellion or disobedience. (2.) He did it in fury. Had Jonathan been worthy to die, yet it would have become a judge, much more a father, to pass sentence with tenderness and compassion, and not with such an air of triumph, like a man perfectly divested of all humanity and natural affection. Justice is debased when it is administered with wrath and bitterness. (3.) He backed it with a curse upon himself if he did not see the sentence executed; and this curse did return upon his own head. Jonathan escaped, but God did so to Saul, and more also; for he was rejected of God and made anathema. Let none upon any occasion dare to use such imprecations as these, lest God say Amen to them, and make their own tongues to fall upon them, Psa 64:8. This stone will return upon him that rolleth it. Yet we have reason to think that Saul's bowels yearned toward Jonathan, so that he really punished himself, and very justly, when he seemed so severe upon Jonathan. God made him feel the smart of his own rash edict, which might make him fear being again guilty of the like. By all these vexatious accidents God did likewise correct him for his presumption in offering sacrifice without Samuel. An expedition so ill begun could not end without some rebukes.
4.The people rescued Jonathan out of his father's hands, v. 45. Hitherto they had expressed themselves very observant of Saul. What seemed good to him they acquiesced in, v. 36, 40. But, when Jonathan is in danger, Saul's word is no longer a law to them, but with the utmost zeal they oppose the execution of his sentence: "Shall Jonathan die - that blessing, that darling, of his country? Shall that life be sacrificed to a punctilio of law and honour which was so bravely exposed for the public service, and to which we owe our lives and triumphs? No, we will never stand by and see him thus treated whom God delights to honour." It is good to see Israelites zealous for the protection of those whom God has made instruments of public good. Saul had sworn that Jonathan should die, but they oppose their oath to his, and swear he shall not die: "As the Lord liveth there shall not only not his head, but not a hair of his head fall to the ground;" they did not rescue him by violence, but by reason and resolution; and Josephus says they made their prayer to God that he might be loosed from the curse. They pleaded for him that he has wrought with God this day; that is, "he has owned God's cause, and God has owned his endeavours, and therefore his life is too precious to be thrown away upon a nicety." We may suppose Saul had not so perfectly forgotten the relation of a father but that he was willing enough to have Jonathan rescued, and well pleased to have that done which yet he would not do himself: and he that knows the heart of a father knows not how to blame him.
5.The design against the Philistines is quashed by this incident (v. 46): Saul went up from following them, and so an opportunity was lost of completing the victory. When Israel's shields are clashing with one another the public safety and service suffer by it.
Jonathan was taken: Though Jonathan was excused from sin, through ignorance of the prohibition, yet God was pleased on this occasion to let the lot fall upon him, to show unto all the great obligation of obedience to princes and parents.
Continue studying 1 Samuel 14:42 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
1 Samuel 14:42 marks a dramatic and pivotal moment in King Saul's reign, as his desperate attempt to identify the individual whose sin had caused God's silence culminates in the revelation that his own son, Jonathan, is the unwitting transgressor. This verse serves as a tragic climax to Saul's rash oath, exposing the severe consequences of his rigid, legalistic leadership style and highlighting the profound irony of the hero of the day being implicated in a "sin" that threatens his very life.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to heighten its impact. Irony is profoundly evident, as Jonathan, the courageous warrior whose faith and initiative secured Israel's victory, is paradoxically identified as the one who has "sinned" and brought God's disfavor. This sharp contrast between his heroic actions and his unwitting transgression underscores the absurdity and injustice of Saul's legalistic oath. Foreshadowing is also present; Saul's chilling willingness to sacrifice his own son for a self-imposed vow foreshadows his deepening spiritual decline, his increasing paranoia, and his ultimate rejection by God due to his persistent disobedience and self-will. Furthermore, the narrative uses Divine Intervention through the casting of lots as a crucial plot device to reveal truth, emphasizing God's active involvement in the affairs of His people, even when human leaders act foolishly. The stark Contrast between Saul's rigid, self-serving leadership and Jonathan's innocent, selfless character is a recurring motif throughout the chapter, culminating in this powerful and tragic revelation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The identification of Jonathan by lot in 1 Samuel 14:42 profoundly illustrates the tension between human law and divine grace, and the inherent dangers of legalism when applied without wisdom or compassion. Saul's actions reveal a king who prioritizes the letter of his own law—a rash, human-made vow—over the spirit of compassion and the welfare of his people and even his own son. While casting lots was a legitimate means of discerning God's will in the Old Testament, Saul's application here highlights human fallibility and the potential for even divinely sanctioned methods to be misused or misapplied when driven by human pride, a flawed understanding of righteousness, or a desire for control rather than genuine divine guidance. God's silence and the subsequent revelation through lots underscore His sovereignty, even in the midst of human error, and His commitment to revealing truth. This event serves as a powerful reminder that true obedience stems from a heart aligned with God's will and character, not merely from rigid adherence to human-made rules or rash vows.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The dramatic narrative of Jonathan being "taken" by lot for a sin he unknowingly committed under his father's rash oath offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers. It compels us to critically examine our own hearts regarding the balance between legalism and grace, and to recognize the potential dangers of making hasty commitments or imposing rigid rules that may inadvertently harm others or contradict God's broader compassionate will. Saul's leadership serves as a poignant cautionary tale, reminding us that true spiritual authority is characterized by wisdom, discernment, and a deep, empathetic concern for the welfare of those we lead, consistently prioritizing people over personal pride or rigid adherence to self-imposed regulations. While the method of casting lots is no longer a primary means of divine guidance for Christians in the New Covenant era, the underlying principle of diligently seeking God's wisdom in difficult situations remains paramount. We are called to rely on the Holy Spirit's guidance through prayer, the diligent study of Scripture, seeking wise counsel from mature believers, and discerning the Spirit's leading through circumstances and inner conviction, always striving for a heart of grace and understanding, rather than a spirit of judgment or condemnation.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Was Jonathan truly guilty of sin in God's eyes?
Answer: From a strictly legalistic perspective based on Saul's oath, Jonathan had indeed broken the vow. However, the narrative strongly implies that Jonathan was innocent of intentional sin. He was unaware of his father's oath when he tasted the honey, and his action was motivated by a desire to refresh himself and continue the battle, which ultimately benefited the army and secured a victory for Israel. The emphasis of the passage is not on Jonathan's moral failing but rather on the negative consequences of Saul's rashness and his rigid adherence to his own flawed vow. God's silence was a response to the "sin" in the camp, which was ultimately a result of Saul's ill-conceived oath and his subsequent failure to lead with wisdom and compassion. The people's intervention to save Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:45) further underscores his perceived innocence and the profound injustice of Saul's judgment.
Is casting lots a valid way to discern God's will today?
Answer: While casting lots was a divinely sanctioned method for discerning God's will in the Old Testament (e.g., in the division of land, identifying culprits, or choosing leaders), it is generally not considered a normative practice for Christians today. With the advent of the New Covenant, believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who guides them into all truth and reminds them of Christ's teachings (John 14:26). Furthermore, we have the complete and authoritative written Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), which provides comprehensive guidance for life and godliness. Therefore, Christians are encouraged to seek God's will primarily through prayer, diligent study of Scripture, seeking wise counsel from mature believers, and discerning the Spirit's leading through circumstances and inner conviction, rather than through methods like casting lots.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic scene in 1 Samuel 14:42, where the innocent Jonathan is "taken" as the one who broke the law, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Saul, in his flawed leadership and legalistic zeal, was ready to condemn his own son for an unwitting transgression, demonstrating the inadequacy of human justice and the harshness of law without grace. In stark contrast, God the Father, in His perfect love and justice, willingly gave His only Son, Jesus, who was truly innocent and without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Yet, Christ was "taken" and condemned, not for His own sin, but for the sins of humanity. He became sin for us, though He knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Where Saul's oath brought a curse and threatened death, Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death on the cross redeemed us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13), offering grace and life to all who believe. Jonathan's predicament highlights the profound need for a perfect mediator and a perfect sacrifice, a role flawlessly fulfilled by the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.