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1 Samuel 14

1 Samuel 14:52

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

Translations

Modern
And the war with the Philistines was fierce for all the days of Saul. So whenever he noticed any strong or brave man, Saul would enlist him.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And war with the Philistines was severe all the days of Saul. And Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant son, and he gathered him to himself.
Latin
Erat autem bellum potens adversum Philisthæos omnibus diebus Saul. Nam quemcumque viderat Saul virum fortem, et aptum ad prælium, sociabat eum sibi.

Original

Hebrew
English
And the war with the Philistines was fierce for all the days of Saul. So whenever he noticed any strong or brave man, Saul would enlist him.

Notes

1 Samuel 14:52

  • Saul easily defeated the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:11), but he struggled against the Philistines. The Philistines had a strong army and controlled iron and bronze (1 Samuel 13:19–22).

  • Saul would enlist him: Samuel had warned earlier that the king would take people and possessions (1 Samuel 8:11).

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

Abner Samuel Saul

Events

People

Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel

Places

Philistia: An ancient people and region in Canaan

Glossary

Bethel (Place), Bethelite Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Armies: Compulsory Service In Conscription of Soldiers Saul: King of Israel: Defeats the Philistines The Philistines: Saul Constantly at War With