1Samuel 13:1 ¶ Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,
1Samuel 13:2 Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
Verse 1 is certainly different when you read through different translations, but I don’t think the differences affect what follows.
NASB — “Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty two years over Israel.”
CJB — “Sha’ul was — years old* when he began his reign, and he had ruled Isra’el for two years,”
ASV — “Saul was [1forty] years old when he began to reign; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,”
NIV — “Saul was thirtya years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-b two years.”
Two years after becoming king, Saul had chosen 3000 men of Israel to be part of his full-time military. He kept 2000 men with him in the north in Michmash and mount Bethel and sent 1000 with Jonathan, his son, to Gibeah in the land of Benjamin in the south. All other men were allowed to return home.
1Samuel 13:3 And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
1Samuel 13:4 And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.
Either Jonathan decided or Saul had commanded him to attack the Philistine garrison at Geba. When Saul had the victory announced by the trumpet to declare the victory throughout Israel, the people realized that this would anger the Philistines. Saul evidently knew that too and called for a gathering of the people at Gilgal.
It should be noted that Saul deceitfully took all the credit for the victory. Already becoming evident is his growing pride that will eventually grow to include great jealousy. He has already forgotten that his success is only assured when he acknowledges the LORD as the victor.
The Hebrew for “garrison” also indicates that it could have been some kind of monument representing Philistine authority. Its destruction would have been a declaration of rebellion once the Philistines heard of it. Because of the use of the word in verse 23 (in Hebrew the words are different but are from the same root with the same meaning), I tend to believe it was a contingent of soldiers.
I liked the application that Guzik made regarding the relationship between the Philistines and Israel. “We don't war against armies of Philistines; our enemies are principalities . . . powers . . . the rulers of the darkness of this age . . . spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). But our spiritual enemies have the same attitude as the Philistines. As long as we are weak and subjected to our spiritual enemies, they don't mind us at all. They may even kind of like us. But as soon as we show some boldness and courage against the Lord's enemies, our spiritual foes consider us an abomination.”
1Samuel 13:5 And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.
1Samuel 13:6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
1Samuel 13:7 And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
The Philistines immediately responded by preparing to attack Israel and gathered a force of 30,000 chariots, 6000 horsemen and a vast multitude of soldiers on foot. They made camp in Michmash on the east side of Bethaven.
I should note that some translations say 3000 chariots as supported by other very old translations. i.e., the Syriac and Arabic. Either way, the number would have been overwhelming to the Israelites who had none.
The vast size of the Philistine army caused great fear among the men of Israel. Many of the people hid in caves, crevices in the earth, in rocky fortress-like areas, in high places and in old wells or cisterns. Some of them crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead to seek refuge.
Saul stayed in Gilgal with his troops who were all afraid.
1Samuel 13:8 ¶ And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
1Samuel 13:9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
From verse 8 we can infer that Samuel had communicated in some way with Saul and told him to wait seven days for him to meet him at Gilgal. Samuel still had not come by the seventh day, and his troops were deserting. So Saul determined that he could wait no longer and decided to make his own burnt and peace offerings before the LORD.
It should be noted that Saul did not even wait for the seventh day to pass before choosing to take matters into his own hands. This evidences a lack of faith that led to disobedience.
1Samuel 13:10 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
1Samuel 13:11 And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
1Samuel 13:12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
As soon as Saul had made the burnt offering, Samuel showed up. Saul went out to meet him as a way of honoring him. Samuel, however, immediately questioned Saul as to what he had done. Saul knew that he was talking about the sacrifice. He explained to Samuel that his troops were deserting, and he had not showed up in the time that he had said he would. The Philistines were gathered at Michmash, and he did not want to face them without making supplication to the LORD; so he felt compelled to offer the burnt offering himself.
I liked Courson’s comments: “So often the Lord waits until the last moment to step in. Why? It’s not to tease us, but to test us. He takes us right down to the wire not to taunt but to train us in order that we might have endurance. You see, the race we run as believers isn’t a sprint. It’s a marathon. And God knows how desperately we need endurance.”
James 1:2–3 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”
1Samuel 13:13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
1Samuel 13:14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
Samuel immediately rebuked Saul and told him he had acted foolishly by disregarding the LORD’s commandment. Samuel was recognized as God’s prophet that declared God’s word, and Saul had disobeyed that word.
He went on to explain that he had now forfeited the kingship; and the LORD had sought for a man after His own heart to be king, a man that would honor the LORD as his King.
At this point I was reminded of the following verse from Proverbs.
Proverbs 16:25 “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
We know that the man God chose was the shepherd boy David. Though one might think from the reading that David would become king very soon, that was not to be. Scripture does not give us much to go on in establishing this timeframe. Luke records that Saul served as king for 40 years. We know that David became king at age 30.
Acts 13:21 “And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.”
2 Samuel 5:4 “David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.”
1Samuel 13:15 ¶ And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.
1Samuel 13:16 And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
After rebuking Saul, Samuel left and headed to Gibeah where Jonathan and his men were located. Saul counted how many men he had left and found there were about 600. Saul and Jonathan and their troops made camp at Gibeah in the land of Benjamin, and the Philistines established their camp at Michmash.
1Samuel 13:17 And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:
1Samuel 13:18 And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
“Spoilers” is a term that references groups of soldiers that go out as destroyers, hoping to collect the spoils of victory. The Philistines sent out three groups of spoilers. One group headed to Ophrah (going north), another to Bethhoron (going west) and the last toward the valley of Zeboim and the wilderness (going southeast), the major path to the Jordan Valley.
1Samuel 13:19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
1Samuel 13:20 But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.
1Samuel 13:21 Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.
1Samuel 13:22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
1Samuel 13:23 And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.
Point is made that the Philistines had not allowed the Israelites to have their own blacksmiths capable of making weapons. They had to go to the Philistines when they needed to sharpen their farm instruments.
Once again we encounter a translation difficulty with verse 21. Many translations reference the prices the Israelites had to pay for getting their equipment sharpened. If correct, the commentators note that the prices charged were very high.
1 Samuel 13:21 “The price was two thirds of a shekel for sharpening plowshares and mattocks, and a third of a shekel for sharpening forks and axes and for repointing goads.” (NIV)
Others allow that it denotes that they had files that could sharpen their smaller farm tools. Again, these differences are insignificant.
When the time came to fight, none of the Israelites possessed a sword or spear except Saul and Jonathan.
The “garrison” of Philistines took up their position at the pass at Michmash. The IVP Commentary adds this note: “The Micmash pass is the strategic pass that leads from the north into the region of Jerusalem across the deep canyon of the Wadi Swenit….The site was surrounded by the hills which formed the north side of the wadi. Micmash was inaccessible except for the pass which linked it to Gibeah/Geba.”
The odds against Israel were overwhelming.
It seems that no matter when Israel faces their enemies in battle, the odds are usually stacked against them, often significantly. This is especially true since once again joining the family of nations in May of 1948. I believe that every victory they achieve over such odds is a result of God’s hand at work on their behalf. He is determined to fulfill His covenants with Abraham and David—and even more importantly to His Son Jesus.
Galatians 3:16 “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.”
1Samuel 14:1 ¶ Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.
The record seems to indicate that Jonathan, son of Saul, was quite a brave man of independent spirit. He made a plan with his armor-bearer to go check out the garrison of the Philistines on the other side of the valley. However, he did not tell his father of his plan.
1Samuel 14:2 And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;
1Samuel 14:3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD’S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
Saul and his 600 men were encamped outside the city of Gibeah, a place marked by a pomegranate tree in Migron. Also with him was Ahiah, a descendant of Eli through Phinehas, the LORD’s priest in Shiloh, who was in possession of the ephod.
No one in the camp realized that Jonathan was gone.
1Samuel 14:4 And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
1Samuel 14:5 The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.
There were two sharp rock cliffs (lofty strongholds from the Hebrew) that marked the sides of the passage to the Philistine garrison encampment—one was called Bozez and the other Seneh. One cliff was on the north toward Michmas, the other on the south toward Gibeah.
1Samuel 14:6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.
1Samuel 14:7 And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.
1Samuel 14:8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.
1Samuel 14:9 If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.
1Samuel 14:10 But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.
Jonathan gives evidence of a healthy faith in the LORD. He believed that the LORD was capable of giving Israel the victory whether they numbered many or few. He was well aware of this New Testament truth.
Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
Romans 8:31 “If God be for us, who can be against us?”
Jonathan encouraged his armor-bearer to go with him to the camp of the “uncircumcised” Philistines to see if the LORD wanted to use them against the enemy. The armor-bearer basically said, “I am with you all the way.” The term “uncircumcised” was a derogatory term denoting a lack of respect.
Jonathan’s plan was to reveal their presence to the Philistine guards. If the guards told them to wait while they came down, they would stay put. If, however, they told them to come up to them, they would go up because that was a sign that the LORD had delivered the enemy into their hands.
Personally, I think that type of faith is a gift from the LORD that He provides to any of His children at any given time according to His purpose.
1Samuel 14:11 And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
1Samuel 14:12 And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.
1Samuel 14:13 And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.
1Samuel 14:14 And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.
1Samuel 14:15 And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.
The two men revealed themselves to the Philistines. The Philistines made a remark about their coming out of hiding and told them to come up so they could show them something. JFB made a practical observation: “As it could not occur to the sentries that two men had come with hostile designs, it was a natural conclusion that they were Israelite deserters. And hence no attempt was made to hinder their ascent, or stone them.”
Jonathan basically told his armor-bearer, “Let’s go; the LORD has given the enemy into our hands.” He didn’t hesitate or second-guess himself; he immediately acted in faith according to his conviction.
So, they climbed up the cliff; not an easy task since it required the use of both their hands and feet. The Philistines fell back when they reached the top, and Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed about 20 men on that half-acre of land.
Once the main army and the groups of spoilers realized what had happened, they began to tremble in fear. The LORD also sent an earthquake at that time that terrified them even more.
1Samuel 14:16 ¶ And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.
1Samuel 14:17 Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.
Saul’s lookout in Gibeah saw that the Philistine troops were fleeing in confusion and panic, trampling over one another. It seems that Saul’s troops had not felt the earthquake—a miracle in itself in such close proximity. Saul suspected someone from his camp was responsible and numbered everyone to see who was missing. It revealed that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were missing.
1Samuel 14:18 And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.
1Samuel 14:19 And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.
Saul called for Ahiah the priest to bring the ark of God because it was with them at that time. The Septuagint declares that the priest only had the ephod.
As Saul was talking to the priest, the noise from the fleeing Philistines continued to get louder.
“Withdraw thine hand” – Some commentators assume that this implies that the priest had lifted his hands in prayer, and Saul was telling him there was no longer any need. It seems to me that since the ephod was noted, it meant that the priest had prepared to pull out the Urim or Thummim to seek the LORD’s direction, and Saul decided against it.
1Samuel 14:20 And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.
1Samuel 14:21 Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.
1Samuel 14:22 Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.
1Samuel 14:23 So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.
Saul and his troops gathered together and headed out to join the battle. They encountered all the Philistines in a state of confusion fighting against each other. The Israelites that were a part of the Philistine army for whatever reason (probably as slaves or servants) defected and joined the troops of Saul and Jonathan. When all the men in hiding in the caves and crevices of the hills of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were running away, they too came out to join the battle. They fought all the way to Bethaven.
So, the LORD saved Israel that day. Yes, He allowed the men of Israel to have a part in the victory; but they would never have won without His empowerment.
1Samuel 14:24 ¶ And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
1Samuel 14:25 And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.
1Samuel 14:26 And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.
The troops of Israel suffered greatly that day because Saul had forbidden anyone to eat anything until the evening after he had punished his enemies. He then pronounced a curse on anyone that chose to disobey him. There is no indication that this directive had anything to do with spiritual fasting.
The IVP Commentary notes: “…the act of fasting is designed as a process leading to purification and humbling oneself before God (Ps 69:10). This would be a normal procedure to use in rituals preparing for battle but is incomprehensible as a requirement during the battle. The emphasis Saul places on the fast is for the sake of his own vengeance rather than for the sake of consecration to the Lord.”
When the troops came into an area that had honeycombs on the ground, they did not eat any for fear of the curse that Saul had pronounced even though they were so weak and hungry.
JFB provides this insight: “The honey is described as “upon the ground,” “dropping” from the trees, and in honeycombs — indicating it to be bees’ honey. “Bees in the East are not, as in England, kept in hives; they are all in a wild state. The forests literally flow with honey; large combs may be seen hanging on the trees as you pass along, full of honey” [ROBERTS].”
1Samuel 14:27 But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
1Samuel 14:28 Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.
1Samuel 14:29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
1Samuel 14:30 How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?
Jonathan, however, did not know about his father’s directive and curse. He ate some of the honey, and his eyes reflected the good it did for him. One of the men explained to Jonathan that his father had pronounced a curse on anyone that ate any food that day, and that is why the people were so weak. I liked the NLT version of the last two verses: “My father has made trouble for us all!” Jonathan exclaimed. “A command like that only hurts us. See how much better I feel now that I have eaten this little bit of honey. If the men had been allowed to eat freely from the food they found among our enemies, think how many more we could have killed!”
Jonathan’s only wrongdoing in this episode was that he showed public disrespect to his father the king with his words.
1Samuel 14:31 And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.
1Samuel 14:32 And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.
1Samuel 14:33 Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.
1Samuel 14:34 And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.
The men of Israel had fought the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon, and they were very tired. When the fighting had ended, the men swooped down to take the spoil of sheep, oxen and calves. They began to kill the animals and eat the raw meat because they were so hungry.
Some of the men informed Saul that the troops were sinning against the LORD by eating bloody meat. After rebuking their sin, Saul asked them to bring a very large stone to him. He then sent messengers among the troops telling them to bring the animals to the rock to kill them and drain the blood so that they did not sin against the LORD, and they did.
1Samuel 14:35 And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.
Saul built his first altar to the LORD at this spot.
1Samuel 14:36 ¶ And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.
1Samuel 14:37 And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.
After the men had eaten (seems to be implied), Saul decided that they should continue their attack on the Philistines that night and take as much spoil as they could before dawn. He told them not to leave even one Philistine alive. The troops agreed to the plan.
The priest reminded Saul that they should seek God’s direction. Saul asked God two questions: 1) Shall I go down after the Philistines, and 2) Will you deliver them into our hands? But God gave him no answer that day.
1Samuel 14:38 And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.
1Samuel 14:39 For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.
1Samuel 14:40 Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee.
1Samuel 14:41 Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.
1Samuel 14:42 And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.
1Samuel 14:43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.
1Samuel 14:44 And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.
1Samuel 14:45 And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.
Saul suspected that God had not answered him because there was sin in the camp. He told his leaders to gather all the men together so that they could find out who was responsible. Saul declared that whoever was responsible, even if it were his own son, would be put to death. No one revealed what Jonathan had done.
Saul then made a division between himself and Jonathan and the rest of the troops. Saul asked the LORD to reveal the truth through the casting of the lot (probably using the Urim and Thummim), and Saul and Jonathan were taken. When the lot was cast between Saul and his son, Jonathan was taken. Saul asked Jonathan what he had done, and Jonathan told them that he had tasted some honey from the end of the rod and so must die. Saul swore his intent to execute Jonathan. The people, however, would not allow that to happen. They declared that Jonathan was responsible for Israel’s victory and that he had in no way wronged the LORD; in fact, he had acted with the LORD’s blessing. Saul yielded to the will of the people. I believe he knew that Jonathan was innocent of any sin regarding his oath.
It’s significant to note that although Jonathan was not aware of the oath of his father, his father was still ready to hold him accountable to it; and Jonathan was ready to die for violating it. I’m not sure I understand either of them. Saul’s oath is similar to the one made by Jephthah, except that he declared it before all the troops—except the two not present—and required obedience based on knowledge. I guess the fact that he emphasized the serious consequences of disobedience by declaring Jonathan as accountable as anyone else and invoking the LORD in the process, they felt they had no choice. I think the fact that the LORD continued to give the Israelites the victory over their enemies as shown in the following verses affirms that the LORD considered Jonathan guiltless as well.
1Samuel 14:46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.
Saul evidently changed his mind about continuing the attack on the Philistines, and both armies returned home.
1Samuel 14:47 ¶ So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.
1Samuel 14:48 And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.
Saul was firmly established as the king in Israel and went to battle against all their enemies—Moab, Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah and the Philistines—and gained victories over them all. He also attacked the Amalekites with a large military force and delivered Israel from their constant attacks on the people to steal from them.
1Samuel 14:49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:
1Samuel 14:50 And the name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.
1Samuel 14:51 And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
This section tells us about Saul’s family. He had three sons, Jonathan, Ishui and Melchishua, and two daughters, Merab, the oldest, and Michal. Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, daughter of Ahimaaz. The leader of Saul’s military was his cousin Abner, son of his uncle Ner. Saul’s father, Kish, and his uncle, Ner, were the sons of Abiel.
We are told in Chronicles that Saul actually had four sons.
1 Chronicles 8:33 “And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.”
I believe that Abinadab and Ishui are the same. Eshbaal is also known as Ishbosheth. I don’t know why he was not included here.
2Samuel 2:8 ¶ But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
1Samuel 14:52 And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.
The Israelites were at war with the Philistines during the whole reign of Saul. Any time Saul saw a strong or valiant man, he made him a part of his military force.
Once again we see the truth of Samuel’s words before giving the people a king.
1 Samuel 8:11&16 “And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself….And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.”