3. Saul’s cursing of Jonathan 14:24-46Jonathan, a man of faith, initiated a great victory, but in this section we see that Saul, a man of pride, limited the extent of that victory while trying to extend it. Saul’s failure to submit to Yahweh’s authority resulted in his behaving foolishly more than wickedly (at this time). read more
Jonathan’s Exploit. The Battle of Michmash. A Summary of Saul’s Reign3. Ahiah] RV ’Ahijah,’ probably merely another form of Ahimelech (1 Samuel 21:1). Melech (king) was one of the titles of Jah or Jehovah.4. Between the passages] RV ’between the passes.’9. It has been suggested that the reply would show that the Philistines were brave men, and Jonathan would give up the enterprise as impossible; but in view of 1 Samuel 14:6, it is better to take the sign as a purely arbitrary one: cp. Judges... read more
(33) Roll a great stone unto me this day.—The object of this was that the people should kill their beasts upon the stone, and the blood could run off upon the ground. It was a rough expedient, but it showed the wild soldiers that their king and general determined that the Law of Moses should be kept and honoured, even under circumstances of the direst necessity. This scrupulous care for the “Law of the Lord” at such a time as the evening of the battle of Michmash shows us what a strange complex... read more
CHAPTER XXSAUL’S WILFULNESS.1 Samuel 14:24-51.THAT Saul was now suffering in character under the influence of the high position and great power to which he had been raised, is only too apparent from what is recorded in these verses. No doubt he pays more respect than he has been used to pay to the forms of religion. He enjoins a fast on his people at a very inconvenient time, under the idea that fasting is a proper religious act. He is concerned for the trespass of the people in eating their... read more
7. Jonathan’s Heroic Deed of Faith CHAPTER 14 1. Jonathan’s victory (1 Samuel 14:1-23 ) 2. Saul’s adjuration and Jonathan’s deed (1 Samuel 14:24-32 ) 3. Saul’s first altar and unanswered inquiry (1 Samuel 14:33-37 ) 4. Jonathan condemned and saved (1 Samuel 14:38-45 ) 5. Saul’s battle and success (1 Samuel 14:46-48 ) 6. Saul’s family (1 Samuel 14:49-52 ) Jonathan, one of the most beautiful characters of the Bible, with a kindred spirit, his armour bearer, goes forward to attack... read more
14:33 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: {p} roll a great stone unto me this day.(p) That the blood of the beast that shall be slain, may be pressed out upon it. read more
Jonathan had been acting for God at the time Saul had pronounced his prohibition, so that he was not there to hear it. With the end of his rod he dipped honey from a honeycomb. In eating it, his eyes were enlightened, which certainly involves a revival of strength. Honey is typical of the ministry of the Word of God. Just as the worker bees digest the nectar before storing the honey for the use of all the hive, so believers, meditating on the Word, digest it before presenting it to others in... read more
THE MONARCHY ON ITS WAY The period covered by these chapters is doubtless of some length, whose history is summed up in the closing verses of the second (v. 47-52). But there are special features reported in detail which constitute the substance of the lesson. THE RENDEZVOUS AT GILGAL (1 Samuel 13:1-4 ) Saul’s plan seems to have been not a large standing army but a small body- guard, divided between him and his son (1 Samuel 13:2 ), for the purpose of harassing the enemy in detachments.... read more
Saul's Early Efforts 1 Samuel 13:1; 1 Samuel 14:01 Samuel 14:0 IN these two chapters we have an opportunity of seeing how Saul betook himself to his kingly work. He did not rush upon his office in indecent haste. We have seen that after his anointing he returned to pursue his usual avocations, and that only upon receiving a special summons from men in distress did he arise to vindicate his true position in Israel. Having overthrown Nahash the Ammonite and received a renewal of the kingdom at... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 14:24-35
Saul’s selfishness 14:24-35Saul’s improper view of his role as Israel’s king comes through clearly in 1 Samuel 14:24. The Philistines were not Saul’s enemies as much as God’s enemies. This was holy war (cf. Judges 16:28), but Saul viewed the battle too personally. His selfish desire to win for his own glory led him to issue a foolish command. Perhaps Saul had "sworn the army to a vow that they would fast until God intervened on their behalf (1 Samuel 14:24-30)." [Note: Ibid.] An oath was an... read more