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John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:43

Then Saul said to Jonathan, tell me what thou hast done ,.... What sin he had committed, the lot having fallen on him, and found him out: and Jonathan told him ; the whole of the matter, all the truth, without any reserve: and said, I did but take a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand ; he speaks of the fact as a trivial thing, as if it was not deserving of death, though he was willing to submit to it; yet it seems strange he should say nothing of his ignorance... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:44

And Saul answered, God do so and more also ,.... A form of an oath imprecating evils upon him more and greater than he chose to mention, see the like form in 1:17 , though Abarbinel thinks this is not the form of an oath, but an asseveration of a curse that would befall him; as that God would not answer him when he inquired of him, and that he would add to do so again and again, if he died not: for thou shall surely die, Jonathan ; such words from a father must be very striking to a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:45

And the people said unto Saul ,.... Hearing such words, and filled with grief, pity, and sympathy for Jonathan, as Josephus F11 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 6. sect. 4. observes: shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel ? no, he shall not; what, such a man as he die, who, under God, has been the instrument of so great deliverance, who first began it himself with one man only with him, and has proceeded in it to the finishing of it? God forbid : this shall not be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:46

Then Saul went up from following the Philistines ,.... Returned home to his own city, finding that he could get no answer from the Lord, whether he should pursue further or not, and losing the time and opportunity of doing it, by examining into the affair of his son, and casting lots to find it out: and the Philistines went to their own place ; their country and cities, such of them as remained, who were not cut off by their own and the sword of the Israelites. Josephus F14 Antiqu.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 14:35

Saul built an altar - And this we are informed was the first he had built; Samuel, as prophet had hitherto erected the altars, and Saul thought he had sufficient authority to erect one himself without the prophet, as he once offered sacrifice without him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 14:36

Then said the priest - It is evident that Ahiah doubted the propriety of pursuing the Philistines that night; and as a reverse of fortune might be ruinous after such a victory, he wished to have specific directions from the Lord. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 14:37

He answered him not that day - Why was this answer delayed? Surely Jonathan's eating the honey was no sin. This could not have excited God's displeasure. And yet the lot found out Jonathan! But did this argue that he had incurred guilt in the sight of God? I answer: It did not; for Jonathan was delivered, by the authority of the people, from his father's rash curse; no propitiation is offered for his supposed transgression to induce God to pardon it; nor do we find any displeasure... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 14:41

Lord God of Israel , Give a perfect lot - Both the Vulgate and Septuagint add much to this verse: And Saul said to the Lord God of Israel, Lord God of Israel, give judgment. Why is it that thou hast not answered thy servant to-day? If the iniquity be in me, or Jonathan my son, make it manifest. Or if this iniquity be in thy people, give sanctification. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 14:42

And Jonathan was taken - The object of the inquiry most evidently was, "Who has gone contrary to the king's adjuration today?" The answer to that must be Jonathan. But was this a proof of the Divine displeasure against the man? By no means: the holy oracle told the truth, but neither that oracle nor the God who gave it fixed any blame upon Jonathan, and his own conscience acquits him. He seeks not pardon from God, because he is conscious he had not transgressed. But why did not God... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 14:44

And Saul answered - thou shalt surely die , Jonathan - To save thy rash oath! So must John Baptist's head be taken off at the desire of an impure woman, because a Herod had sworn to give her whatever she might request! Unfeeling brute! However, the king was Judge. But what said the people, who were the Jury? read more

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