1 Samuel 14
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
1 Samuel 14
NJB (MT versing) Jonathan's Victory Jonathan Defeats the Philistines Continuation of the Philistine War (13:15b-14:52) Jonathan's Daring Deed Jonathan Attacks the Outpost 14:1-5 14:1-3 14:1-5 14:1-3 14:1-3 14:4-5 14:4-5 14:4-10 14:6-15 14:6-14 14:6-15 14:6 14:7 14:8-10 14:11-12c 14:11-14 14:12d-15 Battle Is Engaged 14:15-23 The Defeat of the Philistines 14:15-17 14:16-23 14:16-23a 14:16-23 14:18-23a Jonathan Violates Saul's Prohibition Saul's Foolish Order Saul's Rash Oath 14:23b Events After the Battle 14:23b-24 14:24-30 14:24-30 14:24-30 14:24-28 14:25-30 14:29-30 The People Commit a Ritual Fault 14:31-35 14:31-35 14:31-35 13:31-33a 14:31-35 14:33b-35 Jonathan's Guilt Is Discovered but He is Saved by the People 14:36-42 14:36-46 14:36-42 14:36 14:36-42 14:37-40b 14:40c 14:41-43a 14:43-46 14:43-46 14:43b-c 14:43-45 14:44 14:45 14:46 14:46 Constant Warfare Saul's Continuing War Saul's Reign and Family Summary of Saul's Reign 14:47-48 14:47-51 14:47-48 14:47-48 14:47-48 14:49-51 14:49-51 14:49-51 14:49-51 14:52 14:52 14:52 14:52 14:52 Etc.
1 Samuel 14:1-5
14:1 Jonathan takes the initiative and attacks a Philistine outpost. 14:2 This is a very detailed account. It was obviously an eye-witness report (i.e., vv. 4-5,14). Notice Saul had only 600 soldiers left (cf. 1 Sam. 13:15). 14:3 There was a priestly representative with Saul. ▣ "wearing the ephod" This was a special outer robe of the High Priest which had a pocket with the Urim and Thummim. ▣ The LXX thinks that the "ark" mentioned in v. 18 was, in reality, the "ephod." SPECIAL TOPIC: EPHOD SPECIAL TOPIC: URIM AND THUMMIM 14:4-5 NASB, NKJV "between the passes" NRSV, NJB, REB "in the pass" "at the crossing" "the middle of the pass" "to cross over" The MT has "between the passes." The JPSOA footnote says, "meaning of Hebrew uncertain." The verse tries to clarify that there was a "sharp crag" on each side of a natural pass. The Philistines had the high ground.
1 Samuel 14:6-15
14:6 "these uncircumcised" This was an idiom of derision (cf. 1 Sam. 17:26,36). The Philistines being from the Aegean Islands (i.e., Greek culture) were the only people of the region not circumcised. Other ANE cultures did it at different times but all did it. For a good brief discussion, see Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, pp. 46-48. ▣ "perhaps the Lord will work for us" This act of faith illustrates Jonathan's trust in YHWH, but without demanding the result (much like Daniel 3). 14:7 "turn yourself" "Go then" "You go first" "go ahead" "do all that your mind inclines to" "turn aside" The MT has "do all that is in your mind, incline to yourself." It is the last phrase that has caused the divergence in translations (BDB 639, KB 692,Qal IMPERATIVE). This VERB can mean stretch out, 2 Sam. 6:17 spread out, 2 Sam. 6:17; 21:10 extend incline, here (incline the heart) bend, turn, cf. Num. 21:15; 22:23; 1 Sam. 8:3; 2 Sam. 2:19; 22:10 Hiphil, "take an aside," 2 Sam. 3:27; 6:10 The UBS Text Project, p. 176, gives the MT a "B" rating (some doubt). It supports the NEB translation, "do what you will, go forward." 14:8-11 Jonathan is proposing a sign from YHWH that his venture will be successful, similar to Israel's servant in Genesis 24 Gideon in Judges 6 Samuel's sign to Israel in 1 Sam. 12:16-18 14:11 The Philistines are ridiculing the faithless retreat and hiding of the Israelites from 1 Sam. 13:6-7. 14:12 "into the hands of. . ." This is an idiom of victory. SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND 14:13 "climbed up on his hands and feet" This shows the high and defensible outpost of the Philistines. It would have seemed impossible to attack this position from this direction! ▣ "fell. . .killed" This interpretive question is, "Does this phrase refer to a two stage attack (TEV) or just parallel VERBS?" The Knox translation has "some fell to Jonathan himself, and some to the squire as he came up behind him." The UBS Handbook, p. 279, has an interesting suggestion. "Jonathan killed the Philistines who attacked from the front, and the soldier killed those who attacked from behind." 14:14 NASB, NRSV "within about half a furrow in an acre of land" "within about half an acre of land" NKJV footnote "half the area plowed by a yoke" "in an area about half an acre" —omit— "like men cutting a furrow across a half-acre field" "within a space about half a furrow long (in) an acre of land" "with darts and sling stones and with pebbles of the plain" "they cut them to pieces like stone-cutters and like men who plough a field" Obviously the MT is obscure. The theories range from time (half the time of plowing, NKJV footnote) space (JPSOA) means (LXX, Peshitta) 14:15 As the Israelites had feared and trembled, so now the Philistines. those in the army those in the field all the people the raiders of 1 Sam. 13:17-18 ▣ "a great trembling" "a very great trembling" NRSV, TEV, REB "a very great panic" "a panic from YHWH" "a terror from God" "a dread was from the Lord" "the fear of the Lord" The difference between great (BDB 43) ‒ אל God (BDB 43) ‒ אלהים is the question of how to translate "Elohim" in the context. ▣ "trembling" This VERB (BDB 353, KB 350, Qal PERFECT) denotes "terror," "fear," "physical trembling" in YHWH's presence ‒ Exod. 19:16,18 (i.e., Mt. Sinai) in the day of judgment ‒ Isa. 10:29; 19:16; 32:11; 41:5 in battle Saul's army ‒ 1 Sam. 13:7 Philistine army ‒ 1 Sam. 14:15 Saul himself ‒ 1 Sam. 28:5 hope of Ahithophel concerning David's army ‒ 2 Sam. 17:2 in bad news ‒ 1 Sam. 16:4; 21:1
1 Samuel 14:16-23
14:16 This must refer to the Philistine soldiers (cf. v. 15). 14:18 "bring the ark of God" Again, like verse 3, the LXX sees this as "the ephod" (NET). Earlier, the Israelite army in Eli's day took the ark into battle and lost it. However, here Saul wants to consult YHWH, but this was not done by the ark but the Urim and Thummim in the ephod of the High Priest. The VERB (BDB 620, KB 670, Hiphil IMPERATIVE) is never used of the ark, but often of priests (i.e., the ephod, cf. 1 Sam. 23:9; 30:7). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ARK OF THE COVENANT SPECIAL TOPIC: URIM AND THUMMIM 14:19 It seems as Saul was consulting the priest with no response that he noticed the commotion in the Philistine ranks. At that point he stops the priestly act (i.e., "withdraw your hand") and attacks without waiting on YHWH (i.e., the second time). ▣ "increased" This is an INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and IMPERFECT VERB of the same root (BDB 229, KB 246, Qal) which denotes intensity. 14:20 This verse uses "holy war" terminology to show that YHWH was aiding the Israelites, as during the Exodus, Exod. 23:27 during the Conquest, Deut. 2:25; 7:23; Josh. 1:9; 2:9; 10:10 during the time of Gideon, Jdgs. 7:22 in Samuel's day, 1 Sam. 7:10; here (and v. 15). ▣ NASB, NRSV "rallied" "assembled" "marched" "form up and advanced" "made a concerted rush" "assembled and rushed" "went up" "shouted" The VERB (BDB 277, KB 277, Niphal IMPERFECT with waw) can mean assemble (i.e., "call together," here) cry out battle cry or muster (2 Sam. 20:4-5) prayer (1 Sam. 7:8-9; 8:18; 12:8,10; 15:11) grieving (1 Sam. 4:13; 5:10; 2 Sam. 13:19; 19:5) complain (2 Sam. 19:28) 14:21 "the Hebrews who were with the Philistines previously" Apparently some Hebrews hid, 1 Sam. 13:6; 14:22 fled, 1 Sam. 13:7 surrendered earlier became mercenary soldiers sold themselves as slaves (see Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, p. 83) 14:23 The victory was YHWH's victory (i.e., holy war).
1 Samuel 14:24-30
14:24 This vow, like Jephthah, Judges 11, was ill advised and inappropriate, but it was still a vow in YHWH's name (i.e., Leviticus 27). 14:27 NASB, NRSV, Peshitta "his eyes brightened" "his countenance brightened" "he felt better" "his eyes grew brighter" "was refreshed" "his eyes lit up" "his eyes recovered their sight" "his eyes gleamed" The MT has the VERB "see" (BDB 906, KB 1157, Qal IMPERFECT with waw), but most modern translations follow the Qere (i.e., the suggestion of the Masoretic scholars) "be bright" (BDB 21, KB 24, Qal IMPERFECT with waw). The idiom has two connotations. bring truth or insight ‒ Ps. 19:28; 19:8; 36:9 refresh physically ‒ 1 Sam. 14:28b-29; Ezra 9:8; Ps. 13:3 Here, option #2 fits best. 14:28 "strictly. . .under oath" This is an INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and a PERFECT VERB from the same root (BDB 989, KB 1396) which denotes intensity. Jonathan expresses his negative opinion of this father's oath in vv. 28-30. ▣ "the people were weary" This is repeated in verse 31. 14:30 "eaten freely" This is another intensified form (i.e., INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and a PERFECT VERB of the same root, BDB 37, KB 46).
1 Samuel 14:31-35
14:32 NASB, Peshitta "rushed greedily" NKJV, TEV "rushed" "flew upon" "flung themselves" "seized" "pounced on" "turned to" The MT has the VERB (BDB 793, KB 889, Qal IMPERFECT with waw) which is the common word for "do" or "make." The Masoretic scholars (Qere) suggested an emendation to BDB 743, KB 816, Qal IMPERFECT with waw, which has the intensified meaning of "dart greedily." This fits the context better. do ‒ עשׂה (BDB 793 I) dart greedily ‒ עיט (BDB 743) The implied excuse for the conscripted soldiers eating meat with blood in it was they were tired they had not eaten anything since morning because of Saul's rash vow This was a specific covenant violation (cf. Lev. 7:26-27; 17:10-14; 19:26) and even before Moses (i.e., Gen. 9:4). SPECIAL TOPIC: BLOOD 14:33 Saul recognized the seriousness of the covenant violations. His response was to offer an immediate peace sacrifice. Apparently the High Priest of vv. 3,18 was still there. Because of v. 34, possibly there were several priests present (cf. v. 36c). 14:35 This altar refers to the large stone of v. 33. Usually Samuel built the altar (cf. 1 Sam.7:12,17).
1 Samuel 14:36-42
14:37 YHWH did not answer Saul. Saul took this as being because Jonathan had broken the oath. 14:38 NASB, NKJV "chiefs" NRSV, TEV, NJB, REB, LXX "leaders" "chief officers" "families" The MT has a FEMININE PLURAL NOUN (BDB 819, KB 945) which is used in the sense of leaders only three times (i.e., Jdgs. 20:2; 1 Sam. 14:38; Isa. 19:13). Its etymology suggests an idiom from "the corner-tower" (KB 945, Zeph. 3:6). When a rare word such as this is used, one wonders does it have a specialized connotation was it used for literary variety is it from a different yet unknown Semitic root? 14:39 "as the Lord lives" This is a play on the VERB "to be" and the covenant name for Deity, YHWH, which is a form of that VERB. SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D. ▣ "he shall surely die" This is another intensified grammatical form (i.e., an INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and an IMPERFECT VERB of the same root, BDB 559, KB 562). 14:40-41 Saul is not sure if the sin that caused YHWH to be silent was his oath and Jonathan's violation the people eating meat with blood 14:41 "Give a perfect lot" This is expanded in the LXX, which is followed by NRSV, REB, as "If this guilt is in me or in my son Jonathan, O Lord God of Israel, give Urim; but if the guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim.
1 Samuel 14:43-46
14:44 YHWH identifies Jonathan as the reason for no answer to Saul's request for direction. Saul's initial comment in v. 44 is a curse oath (cf. Ruth 1:17; 1 Sam. 3:17; 20:13; 25:22; 2 Sam. 3:9,35; 19:13; 1 Kgs. 2:23; 19:2; 20:10; 2 Kgs. 6:31) for disobedience. ▣ "you shall surely die" This is another intensified form, like v. 39. 14:45 This verse is surprising. YHWH showed His will by the lots. Saul affirmed his willingness to kill his son but the Israelite people revolted! It is unstated but apparently Jonathan's ignorance of his father's oath victory over the Philistines the people offering a sacrifice or paying a price was sufficient grounds for YHWH to harken to the will of the people. ▣ "there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground" This is an idiom for nothing happening to Jonathan, not in any way his being punished for a rash oath he was ignorant of! It is also found in 2 Sam. 14:11 and 1 Kgs. 1:57. ▣ NASB, NKJV "rescued" NRSV, NJB "ransomed" TEV, JPSOA "saved" REB, Peshitta "delivered" "prayed" The MT has the VERB "ransomed" (BDB 804, KB 911, Qal IMPERFECT with waw). It is unstated how this was done. SPECIAL TOPIC: RANSOM/REDEEM 14:46 In light of no answer from YHWH, v. 37 the people's revolt, v. 45 Saul did not continue the attack against the Philistines.
1 Samuel 14:47-48
14:47 "Zobah" This is the first mention of Israel attacking northward beyond her borders. This was an Armenian/Syrian kingdom later attacked by David (cf. 2 Sam. 8:3-10).
1 Samuel 14:49-51
14:49-51 This is a genealogy of Saul's family. 14:49 NASB, NRSV, TEV, NJB, JPSOA "Ishvi" "Jishvi" "Ishyo" "Iessiou" "Ishui" The MT has "Ishvi" ("man of YHWH," KB 446, וישׁוי). This person goes by several names. Ishvi (one of three sons), 1 Chr. 8:33 lists four sons Ish-bosheth ("man of shame," BDB 36), 2 Sam. 2:8; 3:8; 4:5 Eshbaal ("man of Baal," BDB 36), 1 Chr. 8:33; 9:39 possibly it refers to "Abinadab" (BDB 4), mentioned in 1 Sam. 31:2, where #2-3 are not mentioned as sons of Saul. 1 Samuel 31:32 mentions that Saul and three of his sons were killed by the Philistines (i.e., Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua). Apparently only Ish-bosheth/Eshbaal survived.
1 Samuel 14:52
14:52 Saul continues to build his standing military.