1 Samuel 14 - Printer Friendly

What does 1 Samuel 14 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

Israel's standoff with a massive Philistine army continues (1 Samuel 13:23). The oppressed people are nearly unarmed (1 Samuel 13:22). King Saul's decisions under pressure will reveal his character; the same is true of his son, Jonathan. It is God's character and His faithfulness to Israel which shine brightest by the end of the battle.

Saul and Israel's army are waiting for the Philistines to cross over the ravine from Michmash to attack them at Gibeah. Tired of the delay, Jonathan decides to take the battle to them. Without telling anyone he is going, Jonathan and his armor-bearer make their way from the rocky crag on their side of the ravine to the crag on the other side, emerging just below the Philistine camp. Jonathan decides to approach the Philistines in the open, believing that God might honor their effort. He tells his armor-bearer that if the Philistines call to them to come up to them, they will know that the Lord will give them victory over those soldiers (1 Samuel 14:1–10).

The Philistines soldiers camped near the ravine likely assume Jonathan and his armor-bearer are Israelites coming out of hiding to surrender. They call them to come up, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer do. The two Israelites seem to have needed to scale the crag using both hands and feet. Once they reach the camp, they attack the Philistines and kill about twenty of them over a large area (1 Samuel 14:11–14).

There is panic throughout the camp and even among the raiders and the Philistines in their fields. This seems to be caused by the Lord as a result both of Jonathan's attack and an earthquake. Saul's watchmen notice there is chaos in the Philistine camp and report back to the king what is happening. A quick headcount of the Israelite camp reveals that Jonathan and his armor-bearer are missing (1 Samuel 14:15–17).

King Saul calls for Ahijah the priest to bring the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10–11). His purpose is to consult with the Lord about what to do next. Ahijah was from the rejected priest Eli's line (1 Samuel 14:3; 3:10–14; 4:19–22). The chaos in the Philistine camp increases while Saul is talking to the priest, so Saul changes his mind and rallies his people to battle. When the Israelites reach their enemy's camp, they see the Philistine soldiers in such a panic that they are killing each other. The Israelites begin to attack and are soon joined by those among Israel who had surrendered to the Philistines or had been hiding to escape the battle. The Israelites chase the fleeing Philistines all the way beyond the town of Beth-aven. The Lord has saved His people Israel (1 Samuel 14:18–23).

At some point before the battle that day, King Saul commands a fast for his entire army. This is in the form of an oath, declaring that anyone who breaks the fast before evening will be cursed. Jonathan, though, rejoins the army later in the day and doesn't know about the oath. When he eats some honey and is told about it, Jonathan says that his father has troubled the land with the oath and that the victory over the Philistines would have been greater if the troops could have eaten (1 Samuel 14:24–30).

After pursuing the Philistines all the way from Michmash to Aijalon, the Israelites are exhausted and faint from hunger. The moment the sun sets and the oath is lifted, they pounce on the captured animals of the Philistines and begin to slaughter them right on the grounds instead of following the commands of the Law to drain the blood before eating the meat. King Saul sets up a large stone and orders the people to bring their animals to him to slaughter and drain the blood. He also builds an altar to the Lord (1 Samuel 14:31–35).

Saul wants to attack the fleeing Philistine army during the night and fully wipe them out. The priest, though, says they should ask the Lord about it. When the Lord remains silent, Saul decides someone among the Israelites must be guilty of great sin. He swears by the Lord that this person will be killed, even if it is his own son Jonathan. Lots are cast to reveal who is guilty, and Jonathan is chosen (1 Samuel 14:36–42).

Jonathan admits to his father that he ate a little honey, although this happened before he knew about the king's oath. Jonathan agrees to be killed, and Saul says he will do so, but the people protest the execution of the man God used to save them from the Philistines that day. They refuse to allow Saul to kill his son, and the king goes home instead of pursuing the Philistines any further (1 Samuel 14:43–46).

Saul's work as king is measured in his successful battles with Israel's enemies on every side, though he never fully defeats the Philistines. The names of the royal family are listed. The king drafts every strong man he finds into his army (1 Samuel 14:47–52).

First Samuel 14:1–23 describes Jonathan's bold attack on a massive Philistine encampment with only his armor-bearer. Without telling anyone, the pair cross over a ravine between the two armies and attack, believing that the Lord may work for them. They kill twenty men, and the Lord sparks a panic that spreads to all the Philistines. When the Israelites see the tumult taking place, they attack the Philistines and are joined by all those who had surrendered or hid themselves. The Israelites drive the Philistines out of the region.

First Samuel 14:24–46 opens with Saul's declaration, in the form of an oath with a curse, that his troops must not eat until evening. Jonathan doesn't hear about the oath and eats honey during the day. The Lord remains silent when Saul asks if they should attack the Philistines by night. Lots cast to find a sinful person among them fall on Jonathan. Saul prepares to execute his son for breaking the oath, but the people refuse to allow this. The Israelites and the surviving Philistines go home.

First Samuel 14:47–52 concludes the chapter by summing up Saul's kingship over Israel. Saul's reign is marked by successful battles against Israel's enemies on every side, though he never fully defeats the Philistines. The names of the royal family are listed. Saul drafts every strong and valiant man he sees into Israel's standing army.

Chapter Summary:

God sparks panic among the Philistines after Jonathan boldly attacks and kills twenty of the enemy. When Saul sees the Philistines are scattering and killing each other, the Israelites pursue them out of the region. The Lord remains silent when Saul asks if they should attack the Philistines by night. Lots cast to reveal sin among them fall on Jonathan, who broke an oath of the king which he did not know about. The people refuse to allow Saul to execute Jonathan for this crime. Saul does not pursue the Philistines that night, but throughout his days as king he experiences success over them and other enemies such as the Moabites, Ammonites, Amalekites, and Edomites.

Chapter Context:

Saul has been anointed and reaffirmed as king (1 Samuel 9—12). Recently, his army amassed to fight the Philistines (1 Samuel 13). After a secret sneak attack, the Lord sparks panic among the entire Philistine army. The resulting chaos makes the Philistines fight and kill each other. The Israelites pursue, driving the Philistines out of the region. The people refuse to allow Saul to execute Jonathan, the man God used to save them from the Philistines. Throughout his kingship, Saul experiences success over enemies on every side (1 Samuel 15). However, he will also fall short of his obligations to God and eventually be replaced (1 Samuel 16).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.

Accessed 12/21/2024 11:22:53 AM