1 Samuel 14:26-27 NASB

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:27

But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath ,.... Which charge was given, either before he came from Gibeah, before he came to Jonathan, or while pursuing, when Jonathan was with another party either fighting or pursuing: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand : the staff with which he walked, or rather the spear which he carried in his hand, and fought his enemies with: and dipped it in an honeycomb ; or sugar cane, as Jarchi; or... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 14:27

His eyes were enlightened - Hunger and fatigue affect and dim the sight; on taking food, this affection is immediately removed. This most people know to be a fact. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:27

Jonathan, who had not been present when his father charged the people with the oath, —literally, "made the people swear,"—dipped the end of his staff hastily, so as not to hinder the pursuit, in an honeycomb —Hebrew, "into the honey wood," i.e. into the hollow branch or trunk out of which the honey was flowing (but see So 1 Samuel 5:1 ). His eyes were enlightened. I.e. made bright and clear, the dimness caused by excessive weariness having passed away. But this is a correction made... 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 14:27

Were enlightened - i. e., he was refreshed, when he was faint. read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:27

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 14:27

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:24-35

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:26

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 14:27

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

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 14:27

Group of Brands