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.

Then Saul {H7586} said {H559} to Jonathan {H3129}, Tell {H5046} me what thou hast done {H6213}. And Jonathan {H3129} told {H5046} him, and said {H559}, I did but {H2938} taste {H2938} a little {H4592} honey {H1706} with the end {H7097} of the rod {H4294} that was in mine hand {H3027}, and, lo {H2009}, I must die {H4191}.

Then Sha'ul said to Y'honatan, "Tell me what you did."Y'honatan told him, "Yes, I tasted a little honey with the end of the staff in my hand. Here I am; I'm ready to die."

โ€œTell me what you have done,โ€ Saul commanded him. So Jonathan told him, โ€œI only tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. And now I must die?โ€

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

Commentary

1 Samuel 14:43 captures a pivotal and dramatic moment in the narrative of King Saul and his son, Jonathan. Here, Jonathan, having been identified by lot as the one who transgressed Saul's rash oath, honestly confesses his action and accepts the seemingly inevitable consequence.

Context

This verse is the climax of a series of events during a battle between Israel and the Philistines. King Saul, in his zeal and perhaps impatience, had pronounced a severe curse on anyone who ate food before evening, intending to ensure a decisive victory. Unbeknownst to Jonathan, who was leading a daring and successful attack against the Philistines, he refreshed himself by tasting a little honey in the wilderness. When God withheld an answer from Saul's inquiry, it indicated a sin in the camp. Through the casting of lots, the transgression was revealed to be Jonathan's, leading to this direct confrontation with his father.

Key Themes

  • The Peril of Rash Vows: Saul's impulsive and ill-conceived oath placed an unbearable burden on his army and threatened the life of his own son. This highlights the danger of making vows without careful consideration, a theme echoed throughout Scripture.
  • Jonathan's Integrity and Obedience: Despite his innocence in breaking the vow unknowingly, Jonathan immediately confesses his simple act and acknowledges the death sentence pronounced by his father. His response demonstrates remarkable honesty and submission to the perceived divine will revealed through the lots.
  • Saul's Rigid Justice: Saul's unwavering commitment to his own oath, even when it meant sacrificing his beloved son, reveals a rigid and self-righteous aspect of his character, prioritizing his word over compassion or practical wisdom. This stands in contrast to the people's later intervention on Jonathan's behalf.
  • Divine Revelation and Consequences: God's silence initially indicated a problem, leading to the use of lots (Proverbs 16:33) to uncover the transgression. Jonathan's confession confirms the divine identification, emphasizing that even unwitting sin can have severe consequences under a curse.

Linguistic Insights

Jonathan's stark declaration, "I did but taste a little honey... and, lo, I must die," is direct and without plea for mercy. The Hebrew phrase rendered "I must die" (ืžึนืช ืึธืžื•ึผืช, moth amut) is an emphatic construction, literally meaning "dying I will die," underscoring the certainty and inevitability of the pronouncement in his mind.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of careful speech and the potential far-reaching consequences of our words, especially when making commitments or vows. It also speaks to the nature of justice and mercy, and how true leadership requires discernment beyond rigid adherence to rules. Jonathan's integrity in confession, even in the face of death, offers a model of honesty. Ultimately, the narrative shows how God's hand can intervene, often through the intercession of others, to prevent tragic outcomes stemming from human error or rash decisions.

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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

  • Joshua 7:19 (5 votes)

    And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide [it] not from me.

  • 1 Samuel 14:27 (3 votes)

    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.

  • Jonah 1:7 (2 votes)

    And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil [is] upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.

  • Jonah 1:10 (2 votes)

    Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.