1 Samuel 14:24

Translations

Modern

Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had adjured the people, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats food before the evening, when I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” And none of all the people tasted food.

Latin

Et viri Israël sociati sunt sibi in die illa: adjuravit autem Saul populum, dicens: Maledictus vir qui comederit panem usque ad vesperam, donec ulciscar de inimicis meis. Et non manducavit universus populus panem:

Original

Hebrew

English

Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food.

Notes

1 Samuel 14:24

By making them swear an oath, Saul forced his tired, hungry men to abstain from food. This oath likely aimed to manipulate God for a good outcome, like the pagans might do (see notes on Exodus 23:26; 25:22; 32:4).
Saul's use of my enemies instead of "our enemies" shows his self-centered pride.

1 Samuel 14:1–52

Saul's actions in this chapter further support his removal as king (1 Samuel 13:8–14; see also 15). Saul was estranged from both Samuel and his brave son Jonathan. 1 Samuel 14 foreshadows Jonathan's important role in the shift from Saul's rule to David's.

Theme notes and profiles

Jonathan Samuel Saul Vows to God

Events

Reign of Saul

Related verses

Joshua 6:26
At that time Joshua invoked this solemn oath: “Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho; at the cost of his firstborn he will lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates.”
Romans 10:2
For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge.
Judges 5:2
“When the princes take the lead in Israel, when the people volunteer, bless the LORD.
1 Corinthians 16:22
If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be under a curse. Come, O Lord!
Joshua 6:17–19
Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent.
Deuteronomy 27:15–26
‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Judges 1:28
When Israel became stronger, they pressed the Canaanites into forced labor, but they never drove them out completely.
Proverbs 11:9
With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
Judges 21:1–5
Now the men of Israel had sworn an oath at Mizpah, saying, “Not one of us will give his daughter in marriage to a Benjamite.”
Psalm 18:47
…the God who avenges me and subdues nations beneath me,
Judges 11:30–31
Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand,
1 Samuel 14:27–30
Jonathan, however, had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath. So he reached out the end of the staff in his hand, dipped it into the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel

Glossary

Bethel (Place), Bethelite Curse, Cursed Fast, Fasting Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Jonathan: Under Saul's Curse Pronounced Against Anyone Who Might Take Food Before Saul Was Avenged of his Enemies The Armies of Israel: Strict Discipline Observed In

1 Samuel 14:24

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Glossary?

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Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

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