Jonathan, without his father Saul's knowledge, initiates a daring attack on a Philistine garrison with only his armourbearer, trusting in God's power to save by few or many. Their unexpected success causes a great panic and earthquake among the Philistines, leading to a rout. Saul's subsequent rash oath, forbidding his soldiers from eating until evening, distresses the people and inadvertently ensnares Jonathan, who unknowingly breaks it. Though Saul condemns Jonathan to death for the transgression, the people intervene and rescue him, recognizing his pivotal role in Israel's salvation that day.
Now it fell on a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on the other side.” But he didn’t tell his father.
Saul stayed in the uttermost part of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people who were with him were about six hundred men;
and Ahijah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of the LORD in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. The people didn’t know that Jonathan was gone.
Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines’ garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side, and a rocky crag on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us; for there is no restraint on the LORD to save by many or by few.”
Both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, “Behold, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they had hidden themselves!”
The men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armor bearer, and said, “Come up to us, and we will show you something!” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come up after me; for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.”
Jonathan climbed up on his hands and on his feet, and his armor bearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armor bearer killed them after him.
There was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison, and the raiders, they also trembled; and the earth quaked: so there was an exceeding great trembling.
Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Count now, and see who is missing from us.” When they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there.
While Saul talked to the priest, the tumult that was in the camp of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand!”
Saul and all the people who were with him were gathered together, and came to the battle: and behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow: a very great confusion.
Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines as before, and who went up with them into the camp, from all around, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
Likewise all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.
The men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food until it is evening, and I am avenged of my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food.
But Jonathan didn’t hear when his father commanded the people with the oath: therefore he put out the end of the rod who was in his hand, and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
Then one of the people answered, and said, “Your father directly commanded the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food this day.’” The people were faint.
How much more, if perhaps the people had eaten freely today of the plunder of their enemies which they found? For now has there been no great slaughter among the Philistines.”
Then they told Saul, saying, “Behold, the people are sinning against the LORD, in that they eat meat with the blood.” He said, “You have dealt treacherously. Roll a large stone to me this day!”
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.
Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and take plunder among them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them.” They said, “Do whatever seems good to you.” Then the priest said, “Let us draw near here to God.”
Saul asked counsel of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you deliver them into the hand of Israel?” But he didn’t answer him that day.
For, as the LORD lives, who saves Israel, though it is in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But there was not a man among all the people who answered him.
Then he said to all Israel, “You be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side.” The people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.”
Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done!” Jonathan told him, and said, “I certainly did taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand; and behold, I must die.”
The people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As the LORD lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he has worked with God this day!” So the people rescued Jonathan, that he didn’t die.
Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and wherever he turned himself, he defeated them.
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishvi, and Malchishua; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:
There was severe war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any mighty man, or any valiant man, he took him to him.
Study Notes for 1 Samuel 14
Verse 1
Jonathan acts independently of Saul, highlighting the crucial difference between his proactive faith and Saul’s passive, isolated waiting (see v. 2). This act initiates the deliverance of Israel.
Verse 2
Saul is described as 'tarrying' (waiting idly) with a small, demoralized army (600 men). This contrasts sharply with Jonathan’s immediate, faith-driven movement, emphasizing Saul’s current state of weak leadership.
Verse 3
Ahiah the priest is introduced, establishing the official presence of the religious authority. His lineage connects him to the disgraced house of Eli (Ichabod’s brother), adding context to the fragile state of religious leadership.
Verse 6
This verse contains the theological core of the narrative. Jonathan expresses profound faith, declaring that God’s saving power is not limited by the size of the army, echoing the principle seen later in the story of Gideon (Judges 7).
Verse 10
Jonathan uses a specific military sign (an omen or oracle by arrangement) to confirm divine approval. He relies on God's guidance before executing what is humanly a suicidal plan.
Verse 15
The resulting panic is described as a 'trembling' and quaking earth, often signifying divine intervention (the 'terror of God'). God amplified the small-scale assault, causing chaos and self-destruction among the enemy ranks.
Verse 18
Saul seeks divine counsel via the priest, likely using the Urim and Thummim associated with the ephod (or the Ark, depending on the textual tradition). This shows Saul’s attempt to assert religious leadership, though it is quickly abandoned.
Verse 19
Saul interrupts the divine inquiry process when the noise increases, prioritizing immediate military action over waiting for God’s clear direction. This impulsive decision is a recurring flaw in his leadership.
Verse 23
This verse affirms that the victory was fundamentally an act of salvation by the LORD, despite Saul’s flawed command and Jonathan’s independent action.
Verse 24
Saul’s rash, binding oath severely handicapped his troops, prioritizing his personal desire for vengeance over the welfare of his soldiers and the completeness of the victory. Such oaths were common but often disastrous in ancient warfare.
Verse 27
Jonathan’s ignorance of the oath mitigates his transgression. The immediate physical effect of the honey—his 'eyes were enlightened'—shows the vital necessity of the food for the weary troops.
Verse 29
Jonathan rightly assesses that Saul’s oath was counterproductive. He uses the term 'troubled the land' (*akar*), suggesting that Saul’s misplaced religious zeal actually hindered God's work and weakened Israel’s military effort.
Verse 32
Driven by extreme hunger, the soldiers violated the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 17:10-14) against eating meat with the blood still in it. This communal sin of ritual impurity required immediate atonement.
Verse 35
Saul’s building of an altar addresses the ritual sin of eating blood. This is noted as the first altar he built, demonstrating his concern for ritual correctness, even if his own actions caused the initial transgression.
Verse 36
The priest prompts Saul to consult God before resuming the attack. Saul agrees to inquire, establishing the standard practice of seeking divine approval before critical military maneuvers.
Verse 37
God’s silence indicates divine displeasure. Since Saul had interrupted the consultation (v. 19) and issued a foolish oath (v. 24), the lack of response signals that a serious, unconfessed sin or ritual impurity remains in the camp.
Verse 39
Saul’s insistence that the guilty party must die demonstrates his rigid application of the oath, even at the cost of his own son. This contrasts with God's view of Jonathan, who had 'wrought this great salvation' (v. 45).
Verse 41
The use of lots (likely Urim and Thummim) was a legitimate means of seeking divine judgment. The process dramatically narrows the guilt down to Saul and Jonathan, confirming that the trouble originated within the royal house.
Verse 45
The people intervene, recognizing that Jonathan’s action, though technically a violation of the oath, resulted in God’s demonstrable salvation. They prioritize God's saving act over Saul's human decree, effectively nullifying the oath.
Verse 47
This summary highlights Saul’s success as a military leader against Israel’s neighbors, contrasting his effectiveness as a warrior king with his repeated failures in spiritual and political judgment documented throughout the chapter.
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The Calling of Disciples
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