1 Samuel 14

Jonathan Eats Honey (14:24–48)

24 The point of this next section is to show how unfit Saul was to lead Israel. Before Saul entered the battle that day, he had bound all of his fighting men under an oath not to eat anything until evening; anyone who ate would be cursed. His men, of course, became weak from hunger—they were in distress—but because they feared Saul’s curse they ate nothing.

Saul’s curse was foolish; forcing his men to fast was just one more attempt to “buy” favor with God. Saul was thinking mainly of himself: “No one is to eat before I have avenged myself on my enemies.” He was treating the battle against the Philistines as his own private war of vengeance. He was not fighting for the Lord or for Israel; he was fighting for his own honor and glory. In this he was indeed resembling a king such as all the other nations had (1 Samuel 8:5). How different Saul’s attitude was from his son Jonathan’s! (verses 6,10,12).

25–30 These verses describe how Jonathan—unaware of his father’s curse—ate honey in the woods. After eating it, his eyes brightened (verse 27)—that is, his strength was renewed. When he heard about his father’s curse, he said his father had made trouble for the country (verse 29); if the Israelites could have strengthened themselves by eating the animals of the Philistines, their victory over them would have been that much greater (verse 30).

31–35 When evening came and the men were free to eat, they began to slaughter the Philistines’ animals and, in their haste, to eat the meat without first draining the blood from it. This was in violation of the law of Moses (see Leviticus 17:10–12 and comment). Saul told them that they had broken faith (verse 33); they had broken God’s covenant law. Then he had the men slaughter all the remaining animals on a large stone so that the blood could be more easily drained out (verse 34).

36–39 After the men had eaten, Saul decided to make a nighttime raid on the surviving Philistines. But the priest Ahijah advised him to inquire of God (verse 36). This was probably done using the Urim and Thummim (see verses 1–3 and comment); however, no answer came from God.

Saul concluded that God wasn’t answering because someone among the Israelites had sinned (verse 38). Saul made an oath: “As surely as the LORD . . . lives, whoever has sinned will die—even if it is my own son” (verse 39). Saul’s reasoning was surely incorrect; the reason the Lord wasn’t answering was because He was displeased with Saul’s proud and willful attitude. Saul was making plans and making oaths according to his own impulses, not according to God’s will.

40–46 Then lots were cast to see which Israelite had “sinned” (see Joshua 7:1418). The first lot cast cleared all the men; only Saul and Jonathan were left. The second lot pointed to Jonathan as the “guilty” one. And the “sin”: tasting a little honey—in ignorance of Saul’s command.⁵⁴ Then Saul swore another oath that he would put Jonathan to death (verse 44).

At that point all the men came to Jonathan’s defense; they prevented Saul from carrying out his oath. They gave the credit for the day’s victory to Jonathan—with God’s help (verse 45). Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines; God was not answering him and his men had turned against him. Saul’s leadership had proved ineffective that day; God had accomplished His purposes without him.

47–48 These verses show the “other side” of Saul: he was a valiant warrior; he did defeat many of Israel’s enemies. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them. Even though Saul was a flawed leader, God did use him to deliver the Israelites from their enemies.

Saul’s Family (14:49–52)

49–52 Here the writer lists the names of Saul’s family members. His two daughters, Merab and Michal, were later offered in marriage to David. Abner, the commander of the army, was Saul’s cousin. Saul gathered around him as many mighty men as he could find; these would serve as his elite fighting force in his continuing battles with the Philistines (verse 52).