1 Samuel 14 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

This chapter continues the story of Saul by describing how the Israelites under his command, particularly through the exploits of his son Jonathan, won a great victory over the Philistines.

1. Jonathan and his armor bearer defeat a Philistine garrison, causing panic among the entire Philistine army. (1–15)
2. All of the Israelites mobilize and defeat the Philistines. (16–23)
3. Saul causes trouble for the Israelites by cursing any one of them who eats on the day of the battle. (24–46)
4. A summary of Saul’s lineage, family, and activities as king. (47–52)

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

The name “Hebrews”

As the Introduction to chapter 13 discusses, the name “Hebrews” was a term of contempt that the Philistines used for the Israelites. That is why the Philistines use it in 14:11 as they speak disparagingly of the Israelites “coming out from the holes where they hid themselves.” In 14:21, the author uses the term “Hebrews” for Israelite solders who had defected to the Philistines. As in 13:7, where the author refers to Israelite soldiers who fled across the Jordan from the Philistine army, he may be using the term in 14:21 to suggest that these deserters also deserved to be called by a contemptuous name. Whatever the explanation, since “Hebrews” is the actual term that these characters and the author use in the biblical text, you should use that same term in your translation.

Did Jonathan pass between the cliffs of Bozez and Seneh, or did he climb up and over them?

In 14:4–5, the author describes and names two cliffs or rock faces that were either in or beside the route that Jonathan envisioned taking from Geba over to the Philistine garrison near Michmash. Many versions of the Bible suggest or state in verse 4 that these cliffs were on either side of Jonathan’s route, so that he passed between them. However, since the author explains in verse 5 that one cliff was on the north side of the valley that Jonathan was crossing and the other cliff was on the south side, and since Michmash was on the north side of the valley and Geba was on the south side, it does not appear that Jonathan passed between these cliffs. Rather, he had to climb over them in order to reach the Philistines. They had apparently blocked all of the other, more accessible routes through the valley. So the author is relating a feat of strength that Jonathan and his armor bearer performed, in addition to their feat of daring in attacking the Philistine garrison. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region that says that Jonathan passed between these cliffs, you will have to consider whether to follow its reading, but we recommend that you indicate in your translation that he climbed up and over them.

Why did Saul make the soldiers not eat anything on the day of the battle?

The author describes in 14:24 how Saul put a curse on any soldier who ate anything during the day when the Israelite army was fighting the Philistines. As the rest of the story shows, that led to the soldiers becoming weak from hunger and thus less effective fighters. It ultimately led to them desperately slaughtering and eating meat from animals they had plundered from the Philistines without draining the blood first, which was a violation of the law of Moses. So forbidding eating was not a good thing for Saul to do. Why, then, did he do it? It may be that, in practical terms, he did not want the soldiers to spend time away from fighting in order to prepare and eat meals. Since going without food was also a sign of devotion to God, Saul may also have had religious reasons for giving this command. He may have wanted the soldiers to demonstrate their devotion to Yahweh in this way, perhaps to seek Yahweh’s favor and help in the battle. Whatever the reasons, as Jonathan said when he heard about this, Saul’s curse caused trouble for the Israelites.