1 Samuel 14:41 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:36-46

Here is, I. Saul's boasting against the Philistines. He proposed, as soon as his soldiers had got their suppers, to pursue them all night, and not leave a man of them, 1 Sam. 14:36. Here he showed much zeal, but little discretion; for his army, thus fatigued, could as ill spare a night's sleep as a meal's meat. But it is common for rash and foolish men to consider nobody but themselves, and, so that they might but have their humour, not to care what hardships they put upon those that are under... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:41

Therefore Saul said to the Lord God of Israel ,.... After the division was made between him and his son on one side, and the people of Israel on the other, and everything was ready for the drawing of the lot; Saul put up to God the following petition, as knowing that though the lot is cast into the lap, the disposing of it is of the Lord: give a perfect lot ; or man, let it fall upon the guilty person, and let the innocent go free; the Targum is,"cause it to come in truth;' let truth... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:36-46

Seeking counsel of God and keeping one's word. The facts are— 1 . Saul, following his own impulse, desires to pursue the Philistines during the night, but is restrained by the priest advising to seek counsel of God. 2 . No answer coming from God, Saul concludes that sin has been committed, and resolves that the sinner when discovered shall die. 3 . A lot being taken, it falls on Jonathan, who admits having tasted honey, and submits to the sentence. 4 . Saul, again solemnly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:40-41

As God also condemned Saul by his silence, the Urim and Thummim giving no answer, he places himself and Jonathan on one side, and the people on the other, and determines to cast lots. He then prays, Give a perfect lot, or, as in the margin, "Show" (literally, give) "the innocent." This is undoubtedly the meaning of the Hebrew, while the rendering of the text is taken from Kimchi. There are few mistranslations of the A.V. which have not some good Jewish authority for them, as King James's... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 14:41

Give a perfect lot - The phrase is obscure, but the meaning is probably as in the margin. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 14:41-42

1 Samuel 14:41-42. Give a perfect lot Or, Declare the perfect, or guiltless person. That is, O Lord, so guide the lot, that it may discover who is guilty in this matter, and who innocent. The people escaped They were pronounced guiltless. Jonathan was taken God so ordered the lot; not that he approved Saul’s execration, (1 Samuel 14:24,) or his oath that the transgressor should die, (1 Samuel 14:39,) nor that he would expose Jonathan to death; but that Saul’s folly might be... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:1-46

War against the Philistines (13:15-14:46)After Samuel left Gilgal, Saul took his troops and joined with the other section of the Israelite army, which was under Jonathan. Together they prepared for the battle against the Philistines (15-18). The Philistines were confident of victory, partly because for many years they had so controlled metal-working activities in the area that the Israelites owned hardly any weapons. This enabled the Philistines to raid throughout Israel without fear of strong... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 14:41

the LORD = Jehovah. Punctuate thus: "Saul said unto Jehovah: `O God of Israel' ", &c. Give a perfect lot = Give perfections: i.e. Thummim. See Exodus 28:30 . There is evidently a Homceoteleuton ( App-6 ) here. The scribes, having written the word "Israel", went forward to the word "Israel "a line or two farther on, and omitted the words between, which are preserved in two ancient versions, older than any Hebrew manuscript extant. These omitted words are enclosed within brackets below,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 14:41

1 Samuel 14:41. Give a perfect lot— There is nothing for lot in the original, and our Marginal shew the innocent, is rather an explanation than a version. The following is Houbigant's version: And Saul said unto the Lord God of Israel, [shew unto us why thou hast not answered thy servant Saul this day. If this iniquity is in me, or in Jonathan my son, discover it by Urim, or if this iniquity is in the people,] discover it by Thummim. read more