Keraia
1 Samuel 14

1 Samuel 14:47

Saul’s Victories · 1 Samuel 14:47–52
Read 1 Samuel 14

Translations

Modern
After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And Saul captured the kingdom over Israel, and he fought on every side against all his enemies—against Moab, and against the sons of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. And wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment.
Latin
Et Saul, confirmato regno super Israël, pugnabat per circuitum adversum omnes inimicos ejus, contra Moab, et filios Ammon, et Edom, et reges Soba, et Philisthæos: et quocumque se verterat, superabat.

Original

Hebrew
English
After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them.

Notes

1 Samuel 14:47

  • assumed (literally took): Samuel often used this verb to describe a king's actions: “He will take … take … take” (1 Samuel 8:10–18).

  • the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites … Zobah: David faced these enemies during his reign and expanded Israel’s territory (see 2 Samuel 8:1–14).

1 Samuel 14:47–52

Unlike the foolishness mentioned in 1 Samuel 14:1–46, these verses highlight Saul's military victories. Each king's reign in 1 Samuel—2 Kings ends with a similar summary of achievements.

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

Moab and Ammon Samuel Saul The Amalekites

Events

People

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

Places

Ammon: An ancient nation and its capital city, enemies of Israel Edom: Descendants of Esau; enemy nation southeast of Israel Moab: Ancient kingdom east of the Dead Sea in Jordan Philistia: An ancient people and region in Canaan Zobah: An Aramean kingdom, enemy of Israel during David's reign

Glossary

Amalek, Amalekites Ammon, Ammonites Bethel (Place), Bethelite Damascus Doeg Edom, Edomites Moab, Moabites Samuel, Books of First and Second Saul Zobah

Topics

Amalekites: Defeated by Saul Edomites: Saul Makes War Against Moabites: Harassed and Subdued by Saul Syria: Minor Kingdoms Within the Region: Aram-Zobah, Also Called, Zobah and Zoba The Ammonites: Saul's Victories Over The Edomites: Saul Made War Against Zobah: A Kingdom in the North of Palestine