1 Samuel 14
OGCA DIGEST OF CHAPTER 14
Jonathan’s surprise attack on the Philistines. Jonathan and his armor-bearer devised a startling plan of going against the enemy by themselves. Evidently the Philistines thought that their position was impregnable and that the Israelites were so poorly equipped that they had nothing to fear. The skirmish started by Jonathan and his armor-bearer started such confusion that the Philistines attacked their own men, and a great victory was won for Israel.
Saul’s ill-advised oath. King Saul had ordered that his men were to fast as they went into battle. Although Jonathan was unaware of his father’s order, Saul threatened to punish him for tasting a little honey. Only the intercession of the people saved Jonathan.
Saul’s other battles and his family. Saul was a great warrior, and his campaigns took him against Moab, Amnion, Edom, Syria, as well as Philistia. His wife, sons, daughters, captain, and father are all mentioned at this point in his career.
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
Trust in God overcomes fear of men. Although Israel was in a dire strait, Jonathan was not afraid to do what he knew was right. With a full trust in God and using the good common sense with which he was endowed, he devised a strategy that gave victory to God’s people.
Rash oaths should not be kept. Under ordinary circumstances, an oath should be very sacred and kept if at all possible. When oaths are made in rashness, however, it is better to repent for making the oaths rather than to keep them. Herod beheaded John the Baptist, although he was exceeding sorry (Mark 6:26). He went ahead and performed the dastardly deed … for their sakes which sat with him (Mark 6:26 b). He was afraid of what the people would think of him if he went back on his oath. Saul was evidently determined to go ahead and carry out the penalty he had pronounced against any soldier who ate anything, even though it meant the slaying of the hero of his own army, even his own son.
CHAPTER 14 IN REVIEW
Who went with Jonathan to make a surprise attack on the Philistines?
Where was Saul?
What was the name of the priest with him?
Whose son was the priest?
Where were the other priests?
What did the priest have with him?
What did Saul ask the priest to fetch?
What had Jonathan eaten?
What did Saul threaten to do to him?
What was the name of Saul’s wife?
1 Samuel 14:1-23
Jonathan’s Surprise Attack on the Philistines. 1 Samuel 14:1-23
Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armor, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines-’ garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.
2 And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;
3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
4 And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines-’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
5 The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.
6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armor, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to have by many or by few.
7 And his armor-bearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.
8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.
9 If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. 10 But if they say thus, Come up unto us; they we will go up: for the Lord hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.
11 And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves. 12 And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armor-bearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will show you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armor-bearer, Come up after me: for the Lord hath delivered them into the hand of Israel. 13 And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armor-bearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armor-bearer slew after him. 14 And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were a half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.
15 And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling. 16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.
17 Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there.
18 And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel. 19 And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.
20 And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.
21 Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.
22 Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.
23 So the Lord saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Beth-aven.
*1.
Why did Jonathan fail to tell Saul of his plan? 1 Samuel 14:1*
Saul would probably have opposed such a daring enterprise. In the first place, he would be reluctant to see his son risk his life in such an expedition. In the second place, he had lost a great deal of his courage because of the stunning announcement of judgment which Samuel had made to him. The same fear and trembling which had come upon the people had affected their leader.
*2.
Where is Migron? 1 Samuel 14:2*
Migron is a locality which has been lost to modern geographers. Indications in the narrative would point to a place on the north side of Gilbeah and a different place from the Migron on the northwest of Michmash (Isaiah 10:28). Saul felt this was a good place to wait and observe the activities of the Philistines. Since it is called the uttermost part of Gibeah, it is taken to be in the vicinity. Saul still had only 600 men with him.
*3.
Why was Ahijah not at Shiloh? 1 Samuel 14:3*
When the Ark was taken from Shiloh, the place was no longer regarded as the center of worship. Later David fled from the presence of Saul, and the Tabernacle itself was at Nob (1 Samuel 21:1). The Ark was still in the house of Abinadab in Kiriath-jearim on the west side of the border of Judah near Philistia. A priest would hardly be safe at that point, and his services were needed by Saul.
*4.
What was the advantage of the two campsites? 1 Samuel 14:4*
Israel was on one crag, and the Philistines were on the other. The site of this valley is almost impenetrable. One can hardly go down into the valley on horseback. About a mile eastward of the line between these two promontories the valley is so narrow and so deep that the opposite heights are less than a mile apart. The two armies would keep each other under observation without fearing a frontal attack at this point.
On what did Jonathan rely? 1 Samuel 14:6
Jonathan was convinced that Israel was the nation of God’s own choosing and that God would preserve them in every situation. He did not know for sure that God would give them success in the particular venture that they had in mind, but he hoped that He would. He knew that it did not make any difference whether there were a few men or many in an army. As he said: For there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few (1 Samuel 14:6 b).
*6.
What was so frightening about Jonathan’s attach.? 1 Samuel 14:7-15*
Things in Israel were rapidly coming to a sorry state. Samuel had returned to Gibeah because Shiloh had been forsaken. Saul came with just a few men because all the people were of a mind to desert and many had done so already. There were no smiths for making of weapons since they required iron work. The two enemy armies were at the time separated by a mile-long valley between two high crags, one some 50 feet of sheer rock, the other about 100 feet of sheer rock. Jonathan relied entirely upon the guiding hand of Jehovah, not even mentioning the expedition to his father. More than likely his father would never have permitted him to go. Hence when he suddenly appeared in the camp of the Philistines it was terribly unexpected and actually frightened them beyond measure. If the Philistine soldiers were really valiant, they would come down after Jonathan and his armor-bearer; if they said, Come up, they were lazy, cowardly, and careless. This would indicate to Jonathan the advisability of continuing his attack.
*7.
Why is mention made of what oxen might plow? 1 Samuel 14:14*
Rural people would measure things by standards to which they were accustomed. A furrow of land was what could be plowed with a yoke of oxen in one day. It is like the Roman jugum, or jugerum, containing some 28,000 square feet. The area where the battle was fought is described as the furrow of an acre of land, because the length only of an half-acre was to be given and not the square footage,
*8.
Why did the Philistines tremble? 1 Samuel 14:15*
The situation was reversed. The Israelites had trembled when they saw the mammoth Philistine host coming out against them. After Jonathan and his armor-bearer surprised the Philistines, the Philistines were afraid, The very fact that they did not expect two men to climb the cliff alone led them to relax their vigil. Two men coming upon them in an unexpected way confused them and frightened them.
*9.
Why did Saul call for the Ark? 1 Samuel 14:18*
The Ark had led the Israelites into battle on a number of occasions. Priests carried the Ark into the Jordan River when Israel crossed over into Palestine (Joshua 3:6). Moses refused to send the Ark into the ill-fated battle against the Canaanites (Numbers 14:44). When Israel was walking in God’s paths, the Ark was a symbol of His presence. When they were rebelling against God, the fact that the Ark was with them did not guarantee a victory for them. This truth was demonstrated in the days of Eli’s sons as the Ark was captured by the Philistines. Saul could hardly have forgotten this lesson, and he surely would not have risked losing it again. His decision to call for the Ark must have been prompted by his desire to find out the Lord’s will with regard to the battle. He must have thought his having the Ark with him would have helped him to learn this will.
*10.
Was the ark again brought into the camp? 1 Samuel 14:19*
Saul commanded Ahijah the priest to fetch the Ark; but while he was conversing with the priest, the noise and confusion in the Philistine camp was brought to his attention. The way was then clear. It was up to the Israelites to pursue the enemy and there was no need to command, Withdraw thy hand. There would be no need for the priest to give any further order or to make any further move towards fetching the Ark. Even though there is mention of some Israelites who had not joined with the men of Saul but rather had joined with the Philistines, the Israelites won a victory and pursued the Philistines first to the north and then to the west.
*11.
Who were the Hebrews with the Philistines? 1 Samuel 14:21*
These men were defectors and captives. Notice that they are called Hebrews, while the people of Saul were called Israelites. Living had become so difficult in Israel that these people had sought asylum with the enemy even at the risk of calling down the wrath of their own people upon them. David fled to Achish, king of Gath, in order to escape the murderous intentions of Saul (1 Samuel 21:10).
*12.
Where was Beth-aven? 1 Samuel 14:23*
Beth-aven was near Ai. Ai lay near Beth-el on the road which ran from Jerusalem to Shechem. It was east of Michmash. The Philistines fled westwards from Michmash to Aijalon (1 Samuel 14:31). If we bear in mind the fact that the camp of the Philistines was on the east side of Michmash before Beth-aven (1 Samuel 13:5), the fact that the Israelites attacked it from the south explains the extent of the battle. As the main body of the Philistines fled as far as Ajalon, they were pursued to that place by some of the Israelites.
1 Samuel 14:24-46
Saul’s Ill-advised Oath. 1 Samuel 14:24-46
24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
25 And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.
26 And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath. 27 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 a honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
28 Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.
29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
30 How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines? 31 And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were faint. 32 And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.
33 Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the Lord, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day. 34 And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the Lord in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.
35 And Saul built an altar unto the Lord: the same was the first altar that he built unto the Lord. 36 And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto them. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God. 37 And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day. 38 And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day. 39 For, as the Lord liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.
40 Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee. 41 Therefore Saul said unto the Lord God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.
42 And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.
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.
44 And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan. 45 And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall on the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.
46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.
*13.
What was the purpose of Saul’s prohibition? 1 Samuel 14:24*
To forbid a fighting man to eat is to cut down his efficiency. Saul must have been more interested in demonstrating kingly zeal than to care for his men. Fasting had its place as a man is disciplining his spirit but it could hardly serve a useful purpose in the field. The only possible practical reason for the prohibition would be to save time, but this value would be lost in the decreased efficiency of the soldiers.
*14.
What is the meaning of his eyes were enlightened? 1 Samuel 14:27*
Partaking of a little food gave increased energy to Jonathan. Honey is a well-known quick-energy food. Jonathan was strengthened physically; and since the loss of strength is noticeably reflected in the eyes, this was the primary center of the resurging energy. His eyes would be keener and his hand would be stronger.
*15.
How had Saul troubled the land? 1 Samuel 14:29*
Saul had disobeyed Samuel and brought a pronunciation of judgment on himself. He had issued a foolish order to his troops in the midst of a situation which might have resulted in total victory for Israel. The king had demonstrated a lack of courage in staying behind in the battle. In all these things Saul had caused trouble among his people.
*16.
Where was Aijalon? 1 Samuel 14:31*
Aijalon was on the west slope of the hill country of Judah. A modern spot named Yalo (see Joshua 19:42) is pointed out as the most likely location. This site is about three miles southwest of Michmash. Joshua had been fighting the armies of the southern coalition at this point when he prayed for the sun to stand still and give the Israelites the needed extra hours (Joshua 10:12).
*17.
Why were the people so faint? 1 Samuel 14:31*
The people were weak from hunger since Saul had forbidden them to eat until evening (1 Samuel 14:24). The sight of the booty was too much for them and they seized sheep, oxen, and calves. Without proper care for dressing the animals, they devoured them where they were. Animals which were slain were left lying on the ground and were saturated in their own blood. The famished soldiers ate the flesh along with the blood which adhered to it. By doing this they sinned against the law in Leviticus 19:26 and the earlier prohibition given by God to the postdiluvian world (Genesis 9:4).
18.
Why did Saul call for a stone? 1 Samuel 14:33
Saul requested a stone to be provided as a place for slaughtering the animals. In this way the blood would run off properly on the ground. The flesh would be separated from the blood, and the people could eat without committing sin. The hungry people could thus satisfy their overwhelming appetites.
*19.
Why did he build an altar? 1 Samuel 14:35*
Saul had learned his lesson about offering sacrifices when he was ineligible to act as a priest. His purpose in erecting an altar was hardly to provide a place for a sacrifice. This altar was to be a memorial of the presence of God. If this is the first altar he ever built, it is evidence of his irreligion. More devoted people, such as Abraham, build altars on many occasions and never allow their devotion to lag (Genesis 12:8; Genesis 12:18).
*20.
Why did Saul think that someone had sinned? 1 Samuel 14:38*
Saul had asked counsel of God about going down in pursuit of the Philistines. He wanted to know if God would deliver the enemy into his hands, but God did not give him an answer. He concluded that someone had sinned and prevented God from giving him an answer.
*21.
Why was Saul willing to slay Jonathan? 1 Samuel 14:39*
When the breach of a commandment such as that given by Saul is revealed, the guilt has to be expiated. The law of the ancient Oriental kings was inviolable, and no lawbreaker was exempt from the wrath of the monarch. Saul had proudly boasted, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die (1 Samuel 14:39). When he found out it was Jonathan who had violated his prohibition, he was forced to carry out his threat to prevent losing prestige among the people.
*22.
What prompted Saul to exact such a penalty?*
Although the king had made a decree that no one was to eat during the time of the battle, Jonathan had put forth the rod that was in his hand and dipped a little honey to his mouth to eat, When Saul asked God to direct him in his activities, there was no answer; and Saul concluded that someone had sinned. When the lot was cast, it fell upon Jonathan. Jonathan confessed his crime; and Saul was willing to exact the penalty by slaying his own son. He knew that as a ruler he was setting an example. He was also exerting the authority that was his, and those who witnessed would have greater respect for his authority. The people, when they saw this, were willing then that Jonathan be spared; and by their earnest entreaty Saul was led to withdraw his order. Thus it is said that the people rescued Jonathan that day.
*23.
How did the people rescue him? 1 Samuel 14:45*
The objection of the people was so conclusive that Saul was obliged to yield. Justice would demand that Jonathan be spared. He had done nothing wrong in itself. Jonathan had not heard the oath which his father had imposed on the people. He did not consciously or intentionally go against his father’s commandment. The divine lot had revealed to Saul that Jonathan had tasted a little honey. The sentence of death was not thereby pronounced by God. Judgment was in the hands of Saul, and he was wise to listen to the desire of the people to spare Jonathan.
1 Samuel 14:47-52
Saul’s Other Battles and His Family. 1 Samuel 14:47-52
47 So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and 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 whithersoever he turned himself he vexed them.
48 And he gathered a host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them. 49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchi-shua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the first-born Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:
50 And the name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.
51 And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
52 And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.
*24.
Over what kingdoms did Saul have victory? 1 Samuel 14:47-48*
Saul won victories over practically all of the surrounding kingdoms. Those specifically mentioned include Moab, the land just east of the Jordan river; Edom, the kingdom of the descendants of Esau, being the land lying in the south of the Dead Sea, Philistia, the land bordering along the Mediterranean Sea, and extending from the River of Egypt to the Bay of Acre along the west of the land allotted to the twelve tribes; Zobah, the land lying in and around the Lebanon Mountains; and the Amalekites, the land lying in the wilderness to the west of the land of Edom. The people could with propriety sing, Saul has slain his thousands (1 Samuel 18:7).
*25.
How many sons did Saul have? 1 Samuel 14:49*
Only three sons of Saul are mentioned in this early part of his reignJonathan, Ishui, and Melchi-shua. From later history and references in genalogies, we learn that he also had a son named Ish-baal (Esh-baal in 1 Chronicles 9:39) or Ish-bosheth. It was Ish-bosheth who was made king over Israel with his capital at Mahanaim in Gilead after Saul’s death (2 Samuel 2:8). Ishui is called Abinadab in 1 Chronicles 9:39 and in 1 Samuel 31:2. The three older sons of Saul were killed with him in the battle on Mount Gilboa, leaving only Ish-bosheth as a survivor and a claimant of the throne.
*26.
How many daughters did Saul have? 1 Samuel 14:49 b*
Daughters are not often mentioned in the Bible unless they enter into important events. Of Adam it was written that he begat sons and daughters (Genesis 5:5 b), but only the sonsCain, Abel, and Sethare named. Jacob’s daughter, Dinah, was named along with his twelve sons (Genesis 30:21); but probably this was because she occasioned the unhappy experience at Shechem (Genesis 34). Two of Saul’s daughters are mentioned. Merab was the older of the two. She should have been given to David as his wife; but when the time for the marriage was fulfilled, Saul gave her to be another man’s wife (1 Samuel 18:19). Michal, Saul’s younger daughter, loved David, and Saul did give her to be David’s wife (1 Samuel 18:27).
*27.
Who was Saul’s wife? 1 Samuel 14:50*
Saul’s wife was named Ahinoam. As far as the Scripture narrative describes his marital relations, there is mention of only this one wife. He did have a concubine whose name was Rizpah (2 Samuel 3:7). Ahinoam is identified as the daughter of Ahimaaz, but nothing more is known of her father or the other members of the family. Ahimaaz is a rather common name for a man in Israel, and in later history the name was given to one of the sons of the priests (2 Samuel 17:17). Saul called his wife a perverse and rebellious woman (1 Samuel 20:30), but we do not have any knowledge of why he should call her this except our understanding that Saul was almost insanely jealous and selfish. Probably she was a good woman.
*28.
Who was the captain of Saul’s army? 1 Samuel 14:50 b*
Abner, the son or Ner, was the leader of Saul’s army. He was a cousin of Saul, since Kish and Ner were brothers. In 1 Samuel 9:1 Kish is identified as also being the son of Abiel. Ner, the father of Abner, was the son of Abiel (1 Samuel 14:51). The family appears to have been rather closely related to one another, since it was Saul’s uncle who made inquiry about the search for the asses of Kish when Saul and his servant returned from their meeting with Samuel (1 Samuel 10:14). Abner remained with Saul throughout his reign and upheld the honor of the family after Saul’s death by placing Saul’s son on the throne of Israel (2 Samuel 2:8). He entered into negotiations with David in an attempt to put David on the throne of all the tribes; but he was killed by Joab, who thought Abner should have spared Asahel (see 2 Samuel 3:27). David respected Abner and called him a prince and a great man (2 Samuel 3:38).
*29.
What was the nature of Saul’s reign? 1 Samuel 14:52*
Most of Saul’s time on the throne was spent in battle. The war against the Philistines was described as being sore; and when he ascended to the throne, he went out to battle against the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:1-15). His failure to slay the Amalekites had brought about his being rejected as king (1 Samuel 15:1-35). Samuel had warned the Israelites that the king would take their sons to fight in his army (1 Samuel 8:11); and this had come to pass as when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him (1 Samuel 14:52 b).