1 Samuel 14:26

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:24-35

We have here an account of the distress of the children of Israel, even in the day of their triumphs. Such alloys are all present joys subject to. And such obstructions does many a good cause meet with, even when it seems most prosperous, through the mismanagement of instruments. I. Saul forbade the people, under the penalty of a curse, to taste any food that day, 1 Sam. 14:24. Here we will suppose, 1. That as king he had power to put his soldiers under this interdict, and to bind it on with a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:26

And when the people came into the wood, behold, the honey dropped ,.... Either from trees, which produced it; so Diodorus Siculus F20 Bibliothec. l. 17. p. 548. speaks of trees in some countries which produce honey; or from the sugar canes, as Jarchi; or rather from the honeycombs which were framed in trees by bees; so Hesiod F21 Hesiod, Theogon. ver. 230. Vid. Diodor. Sic. ut supra. (Bibliothec. l. 17. p. 548.) speaks of bees making their nests or combs in trees. Ben Gersom... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 14:26

The honey dropped - It seems to have dropped from the trees on the ground. Honey dews, as they are called, are not uncommon in most countries; and this appears to have been something of this kind. I have seen honey in considerable quantity on the trees and long grass in the fields, and have often eaten of it. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:24-35

Unwise zeal and moral obtuseness. The facts are— 1 . Saul by a rash vow causes great distress among the people and diminishes the fruits of victory. 2 . Jonathan, unawares, takes food contrary to his father's prohibition, and on being informed of the truth, deplores the unwisdom of the vow. 3 . As a consequence of the enforced exhaustion, the people at the close of the day violate the ceremonial law by a voracious meal of flesh unduly prepared. 4 . Saul, professing to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:26

The honey dropped. More correctly, "Behold, a stream (or a flowing) of honey." read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 14:26

The honey dropped - Rather, “Behold a stream of honey.” The same thing may be seen in Spain, where in woody and rocky ground copious streams of honey are often found. 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 14:26

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 14:26-27

1 Samuel 14:26-27. And when the people were come into the wood, &c.— Wild honey, which was part of St. John Baptist's food in the wilderness, may give us an idea of the great plenty of it in those deserts; and that consequently, by taking the hint of nature, and enticing the bees into hives and larger colonies, a much greater increase might be made of it, Accordingly Josephus (Bell. Jud. lib. 5: cap. 4.) calls Jericho μελιττοτροφον χωραν a country fertile in honey. We find, moreover, that... read more

Thomas Constable

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

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