1 Samuel 14

This chapter focuses on the courage of Jonathan, Saul’s son, and how his faith in God leads to a significant victory over the Philistines. Jonathan, trusting in God’s power, initiates a bold attack with his armor-bearer, while Saul is indecisive. Their victory, however, is clouded by Saul’s rash oath that brings unnecessary hardship to his troops.

1 Samuel 14:1 (NKJV)
1 Now it happened one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.

Jonathan, full of faith and courage, decides to approach the Philistine camp without consulting his father, Saul. This indicates Jonathan's initiative and boldness, but also the strained relationship between him and Saul. Jonathan's secrecy may stem from Saul's previous indecisiveness in battle, which contrasts with Jonathan’s faith-driven boldness.

1 Samuel 14:2-3 (NKJV)
2 And Saul was sitting in the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men.
3 Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh, was wearing an ephod. But the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.

While Jonathan takes action, Saul is seen sitting idly, possibly displaying his hesitance or waiting for divine direction. The mention of Ahijah and the ephod shows that Saul had access to God’s guidance but didn’t use it. Jonathan's secret departure emphasizes the contrast between Saul’s inactivity and Jonathan’s proactive faith.

1 Samuel 14:4-5 (NKJV)
4 Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on one side and a sharp rock on the other side. The name of one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
5 The front of one faced northward opposite Michmash, and the other southward opposite Gibeah.

The terrain between Jonathan and the Philistines was difficult, symbolized by the sharp rocks of Bozez and Seneh. This challenging landscape highlights the difficulty of Jonathan’s mission, yet also foreshadows the miraculous victory that can only be achieved through God’s intervention. The contrast between the dangerous terrain and Jonathan’s determination underscores his faith.

1 Samuel 14:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.”
7 So his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart.”

Jonathan expresses his deep trust in God, believing that numbers are irrelevant to God’s ability to save. His use of “uncircumcised” emphasizes the Philistines' separation from God’s covenant. His armor-bearer’s response shows loyalty and faith, supporting Jonathan’s bold plan, despite the apparent danger.

1 Samuel 14:8-10 (NKJV)
8 Then Jonathan said, “Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them.
9 If they say thus to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them.
10 But if they say thus, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up. For the Lord has delivered them into our hand, and this will be a sign to us.”

Jonathan sets up a plan to discern God’s will through the response of the Philistines. His plan is simple, but full of faith, showing that he is seeking confirmation from God before proceeding. Jonathan’s boldness and reliance on divine signs reflect his strong conviction that victory comes from God, not human strength.

1 Samuel 14:11-12 (NKJV)
11 So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden.”
12 Then the men of the garrison called to 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.”

The Philistines mock Jonathan and his armor-bearer, assuming they are helpless. However, this mockery becomes the confirmation Jonathan sought, as their invitation to “come up” is taken as God’s sign of victory. Jonathan’s confidence that the Lord has already given them victory reveals his unshakeable trust in God.

1 Samuel 14:13-14 (NKJV)
13 And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and knees with his armor-bearer after him; and they fell before Jonathan. And as he came after him, his armor-bearer killed them.
14 That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor-bearer made was about twenty men within about half an acre of land.

Jonathan and his armor-bearer physically overcome the difficult terrain, climbing on their hands and knees, symbolizing their perseverance. They begin their assault by killing about twenty men, a significant initial victory that demonstrates the power of faith in action. This act sets the stage for a larger victory for Israel.

1 Samuel 14:15 (NKJV)
15 And there was trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and the raiders also trembled; and the earth quaked, so that it was a very great trembling.

The Philistines are thrown into confusion and fear, and the earth quakes, a divine sign that God is intervening on Israel’s behalf. The trembling indicates the widespread panic in the enemy’s camp, showing that the battle is not just Jonathan’s doing but also God's work. This panic contributes to the Philistines’ defeat.

1 Samuel 14:16-18 (NKJV)
16 Now the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and there was the multitude, melting away; and they went here and there.
17 Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Now call the roll and see who has gone from us.” And when they had called the roll, surprisingly, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there.
18 And Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here” (for at that time the ark of God was with the children of Israel).

Saul’s watchmen observe the disarray in the Philistine camp, and Saul, realizing someone must have initiated the attack, calls for a roll call. When he discovers that Jonathan is missing, he turns to the priest and the ark of God for guidance. This shows Saul’s reliance on ritual rather than the kind of bold faith Jonathan exhibits.

1 Samuel 14:19-20 (NKJV)
19 Now it happened, while Saul talked to the priest, that the noise which was in the camp of the Philistines continued to increase; so Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”
20 Then Saul and all the people who were with him assembled, and they went to the battle; and indeed every man’s sword was against his neighbor, and there was very great confusion.

As Saul consults the priest, the situation in the Philistine camp worsens. Eventually, Saul realizes the urgency of the situation and commands the priest to stop the consultation. The confusion in the Philistine camp leads to them turning their swords on one another, a direct result of the panic God caused, making the victory easier for Israel.

1 Samuel 14:21-23 (NKJV)
21 Moreover the Hebrews who were with the Philistines before that time, who went up with them into the camp from the surrounding country, they also joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
22 Likewise all the men of Israel who had hidden in the mountains of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, they also followed hard after them in the battle.
23 So the Lord saved Israel that day, and the battle shifted to Beth Aven.

As the tide turns in Israel’s favor, even the Hebrews who had previously defected to the Philistines switch sides, joining Saul and Jonathan. Others, who had been in hiding, also come out to join the battle. The Lord's intervention is credited for the victory, reminding the reader that God’s hand is behind Israel’s salvation.

1 Samuel 14:24-25 (NKJV)
24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had placed the people under oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food.
25 Now all the people of the land came to a forest; and there was honey on the ground.

Saul’s rash oath forbids the troops from eating until they win the battle, which unnecessarily burdens the soldiers. His decision seems more about his desire for vengeance than God’s will. This adds tension, as the troops grow weak from hunger. The presence of honey in the forest, which they cannot eat, intensifies the situation.

1 Samuel 14:26-27 (NKJV)
26 And when the people had come into the woods, there was the honey, dripping; but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.
27 But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath; therefore he stretched out the end of the rod that was in his hand and dipped it in a honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his countenance brightened.

Jonathan, unaware of Saul’s oath, eats honey to refresh himself, and it immediately revives his energy. The contrast between Jonathan’s vitality after eating and the people's weakened state highlights the negative impact of Saul’s rash decision. Jonathan’s ignorance of the oath emphasizes his independence from his father’s hasty leadership.

1 Samuel 14:28-30 (NKJV)
28 Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food this day.’” And the people were faint.
29 But Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. Look now, how my countenance has brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.
30 How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now, would there not have been a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?”

When informed of Saul’s oath, Jonathan criticizes his father’s decision, recognizing how it has weakened the army. Jonathan’s practical wisdom is evident as he acknowledges that if the troops had been allowed to eat, they would have had the strength to pursue and completely defeat the Philistines. His frustration reflects the growing divide between his leadership style and Saul’s impulsiveness.

1 Samuel 14:31-32 (NKJV)
31 Now they had driven back the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. So the people were very faint.
32 And the people rushed on the spoil, and took sheep, oxen, and calves, and slaughtered them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood.

The exhaustion from Saul’s oath causes the people to act rashly when they finally defeat the Philistines. In their desperation, they violate the command against eating meat with blood, a direct disobedience to God’s law. This action reflects the unintended consequences of Saul’s oath, which pushes the people to sin out of sheer hunger.

1 Samuel 14:33-34 (NKJV)
33 Then they told Saul, saying, “Look, the people are sinning against the Lord by eating with the blood!” So he said, “You have dealt treacherously; roll a large stone to me this day.”
34 Then Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them, ‘Bring me here every man’s ox and every man’s sheep, slaughter them here, and eat; and do not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.’” So every one of the people brought his ox with him that night, and slaughtered it there.

When Saul learns that the people are sinning by eating with the blood, he takes steps to stop them. He provides a solution by instructing them to bring their animals to a central place for proper slaughter. Saul tries to rectify the situation, but the people’s disobedience shows how his rash oath created an environment where it was difficult to follow God’s commands.

1 Samuel 14:35 (NKJV)
35 Then Saul built an altar to the Lord. This was the first altar that he built to the Lord.

Saul builds an altar in an apparent attempt to seek God’s favor, but this is noted as the first time he has done so, suggesting that Saul’s spiritual priorities have been lacking. This may reflect Saul’s attempt to regain control after the chaos caused by his earlier actions, yet it feels like a reactionary gesture rather than one grounded in true devotion.

1 Samuel 14:36-37 (NKJV)
36 Now Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and plunder them until the morning light; and let us not leave a man of them.” And they said, “Do whatever seems good to you.” Then the priest said, “Let us draw near to God here.”
37 So Saul asked counsel of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You deliver them into the hand of Israel?” But He did not answer him that day.

Saul, eager to continue the pursuit of the Philistines, proposes a night attack, but the priest intervenes, urging him to seek God’s counsel. When Saul inquires of God, there is no answer, indicating divine displeasure. Saul’s impulsive decisions and lack of alignment with God’s will have hindered his ability to lead effectively, and this silence is a sign of the fractured relationship between Saul and God.

1 Samuel 14:38-39 (NKJV)
38 And Saul said, “Come over here, all you chiefs of the people, and know and see what this sin was today.
39 For as the Lord lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But not a man among all the people answered him.

Saul gathers the leaders of Israel to investigate a “sin” that had occurred that day, referring specifically to the violation of his rash oath. Earlier, Saul had commanded that no one should eat until evening, under threat of a curse (1 Samuel 14:24). However, Jonathan, unaware of the oath, had eaten honey (1 Samuel 14:27). Saul is now determined to uncover who broke the oath, even swearing that the offender—even if it is his own son, Jonathan—must die. The focus here is not on a spiritual offense against God, but on Saul’s impulsive and unreasonable oath that needlessly burdened the people. When Saul casts lots to find the offender, God answers by revealing Jonathan, likely to expose the harmful consequences of Saul’s poor leadership. By allowing this outcome, God not only reveals Saul’s rashness but also demonstrates to the people how foolish Saul’s leadership has become, forcing them to confront the unwise decisions that put even their best warriors, like Jonathan, at risk.

1 Samuel 14:40-42 (NKJV)
40 Then he said to all Israel, “You be on one side, and my son Jonathan and I will be on the other side.” And the people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.”
41 Therefore Saul said to the Lord God of Israel, “Give a perfect lot.” So Saul and Jonathan were taken, but the people escaped.
42 And Saul said, “Cast lots between my son Jonathan and me.” So Jonathan was taken.

Saul uses the casting of lots to determine the guilty party, and the lot falls on Jonathan. This method of decision-making, while commonly accepted in Israel at the time, shows Saul’s reliance on external signs rather than sound judgment or personal reflection. Jonathan’s fate is now in Saul’s hands, though the people seem aware of the injustice unfolding.

1 Samuel 14:43-45 (NKJV)
43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” And Jonathan told him, and said, “I only tasted a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand. So now I must die!”
44 Saul answered, “God do so and more also; for you shall surely die, Jonathan.”
45 But the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great deliverance in Israel? Certainly not! As the Lord lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.

Jonathan admits his "transgression" of eating honey, knowing that it was against his father's command, but the people rise to his defense. They recognize that Jonathan’s faith and bravery, not Saul’s leadership, brought victory to Israel. The people's intervention prevents Jonathan's death, and this moment highlights Saul’s increasing alienation from both his people and sound leadership.

1 Samuel 14:46-48 (NKJV)
46 Then Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.
47 So Saul established his sovereignty over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the people of Ammon, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he harassed them.
48 And he gathered an army and attacked the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hands of those who plundered them.

Despite the internal conflicts, Saul manages to establish military dominance over Israel’s enemies. His campaigns against surrounding nations are mentioned as part of his broader reign. However, the contrast between his military success and the spiritual failures seen earlier in the chapter foreshadow the growing divide between Saul's earthly success and his spiritual downfall.

1 Samuel 14:49-51 (NKJV)
49 The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Jishui, and Malchishua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal.
50 The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.
51 Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.

This section provides genealogical information about Saul’s family, including his children and key figures in his reign, such as Abner, his military commander. It emphasizes Saul’s royal lineage and the people close to him, but also subtly foreshadows future events, as several of these individuals will play important roles in Saul’s story and in David’s rise.

1 Samuel 14:52 (NKJV)
52 Now there was fierce war with the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man or any valiant man, he took him for himself.

This verse summarizes the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Philistines during Saul’s reign. Saul’s practice of drafting strong and valiant men into his army shows his desire to build military strength, but it also reflects his increasingly militaristic and force-driven approach to leadership. This ongoing war sets the stage for the rise of David, who will eventually confront the Philistines in a significant way.