1
On a certain day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of the Philistines that is on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.
2
Now Saul was staying at the edge of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree in Migron; and the people who were with him were about six hundred men.
3
Ahijah, son of Ahitub, brother of Ichabod, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the LORD in Shiloh, was wearing the ephod at that time. But the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.
4
Between the passes by which Jonathan sought to cross over to the outpost of the Philistines, there was a rocky crag on one side and a rocky crag on the other; the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Sene.
5
The one crag stood to the north opposite Michmash, and the other to the south opposite Geba.
6
Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will act for us, for with the LORD there is no hindrance to save by many or by few.”
7
And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart; go ahead, I am with you.”
8
Then Jonathan said, “Look, we will cross over to those men and show ourselves to them.
9
If they say to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them.
10
But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up, for the LORD has given them into our hand. That will be the sign for us.”
11
When the two of them showed themselves to the outpost of the Philistines, the Philistines said, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves.”
12
And the men of the outpost called to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, saying, “Come up to us, and we will teach you a lesson.” Then Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Come up after me, for the LORD has given them into the hand of Israel.”
13
So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer following after him. They fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer killed them behind him.
14
That first defeat, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer inflicted, was about twenty men within about half a furrow of a yoke of land.
15
Then there came a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and the raiders also trembled, and the earth quaked, so that it became a trembling from God.
16
When Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin saw it—and indeed, the multitude was moving to and fro like waves—
17
Saul said to the troops who were with him, “Count the ranks and see who has gone from us.” And when they counted the ranks, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there.
18
Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ephod here.” For at that time he wore the ephod among the Israelites.
19
But while Saul was speaking to the priest, the confusion in the camp of the Philistines kept increasing, so Saul said again to the priest, “Leave off!”
20
Then Saul and all the people who were with him gathered together; and when they came to the place of battle, behold, every man was striking his companion with the sword, a very great confusion.
21
Moreover, the Hebrews who had long been with the Philistines and who had gone up with them into the camp, they also turned to join the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
22
Even when all the Israelites who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines had fled, they also joined them in the battle.
23
So the LORD saved Israel that day. And the battle spread beyond Beth-aven.
24
When the men of Israel were hard pressed that day, Saul made the people take an oath, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats anything before evening, and before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” Therefore none of the people tasted food.
25
And all the people came to a forest, and there was honey on the ground.
26
When the people came into the forest, behold, there was honey dripping, but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.
27
But Jonathan had not heard that his father had made the people swear. So he stretched out the staff that was in his hand, dipped the end of it in the honeycomb, and put it to his mouth with his hand; then his eyes brightened.
28
And one of the people answered and said, “Your father strictly charged the people, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats anything today’; therefore the people are faint.”
29
Then Jonathan said, “My father has brought trouble on the land. See now how my eyes have brightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
30
How much better it would have been if the people had been allowed to eat freely today from the spoil of their enemies that they found! For now the defeat among the Philistines is not great.”
31
That day they struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon. The people were very weary,
32
so the people rushed upon the spoil; they took sheep, oxen, and calves, and slaughtered them on the ground, and ate them with the blood.
33
Then it was reported to Saul, saying, “Look, the people are sinning against the LORD by eating with the blood.” And he said, “You have dealt treacherously; roll a great stone here at once.”
34
Saul also said, “Go among the people and say to them, ‘Let every man bring his ox or his sheep to me; slaughter it here, and then you may eat. But do not sin against the LORD by eating with the blood.’” So every man from all the people brought his ox that night, and they slaughtered them there.
35
Saul built an altar to the LORD; this was the first altar that he built to the LORD.
36
Then Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until the morning light; let us not leave a single one of them alive.” And they said, “Do whatever seems good to you.” But the priest said, “Let us first draw near here to God.”
37
Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You give them into the hand of Israel?” But that day He did not answer him.
38
Then Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the people; find out and see by what means this sin has happened today.
39
For as the LORD lives, who saves Israel, even if it is by Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But not one of all the people answered him.
40
Then he said to all Israel, “You stand on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will stand on the other side.” And the people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.”
41
Then Saul said, “O LORD, God of Israel, why have You not answered Your servant today? If the guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O LORD, God of Israel, give Urim; but if the guilt is in Your people Israel, give Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped.
42
Saul said, “Cast lots between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was taken.
43
Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” So Jonathan told him, saying, “Indeed, I tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am; I am ready to die.”
44
Saul said, “May God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan.”
45
But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die, who has brought about this great victory in Israel? Far be it! As the LORD lives, not a hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.
46
Then Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines also went back to their own place.
47
When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought on every side against all his enemies: against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he went, he was victorious.
48
He did mighty deeds, struck down the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hand of those who plundered them.
49
The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. The names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn was Merab, and the name of the younger was Michal.
50
The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.
51
Kish, the father of Saul, and Ner, the father of Abner, were sons of Abiel.
52
There was fierce war against the Philistines all the days of Saul. And whenever Saul saw any mighty man or valiant man, he gathered him to himself.
🗡️🛡️🔥 Summary of 1 Samuel 14 – Jonathan’s Courage and Saul’s Folly
1 Samuel 14 shows the contrast between Jonathan’s faith and courage, Saul’s son, and Saul’s rash decision as king. While Israel trembled before the Philistines, Jonathan and his armor-bearer attacked in faith, bringing about a great victory. But on the other hand, Saul made a foolish oath that nearly cost his own son his life. This chapter teaches that true faith leads to great deeds, but leadership without wisdom can bring harm to one’s own people.
📌 1. Jonathan Acts in Faith (verses 1–14)
➡️ Without Saul’s knowledge, Jonathan and his armor-bearer slipped into the Philistine outpost
➡️ He said: “The Lord is able to save, whether by many or by few.”
➡️ They attacked and defeated about 20 soldiers, causing great panic
🎯 True faith does not wait for ideal conditions — it moves on trust in the power of God.
📌 2. The Lord Brings Confusion and Israel Strikes Back (verses 15–23)
➡️ An earthquake and confusion broke out in the Philistine camp
➡️ Saul saw the uproar and finally attacked
➡️ The Hebrews who had earlier defected to the Philistines returned to the side of Israel
🎯 One step of faith can bring about a victory far greater than human strength.
📌 3. Saul Makes a Foolish Oath (verses 24–30)
➡️ Saul issued a ban: no one was to eat until evening
➡️ The people became weak and ineffective in battle
➡️ Jonathan, not knowing about the oath, ate honey and was refreshed
➡️ He said: “My father has brought trouble on the land.”
🎯 Spiritual leaders must be careful that their decisions do not burden the people.
📌 4. The People Sin Because of Hunger (verses 31–35)
➡️ Because they were hungry, the people ate meat without first draining out the blood — breaking the law of Moses
➡️ Saul tried to make amends by building an altar to the Lord
🎯 When leaders fail to govern wisely, the people can fall into sin.
📌 5. Saul Nearly Kills Jonathan (verses 36–46)
➡️ Saul sought to find out the cause of the sin, and by lot Jonathan was singled out
➡️ Saul said he would kill him even though he was his son
➡️ But the people refused: “Jonathan has brought victory… he must not die!”
🎯 A true leader must be able to hear the voice of the people and admit fault.
📌 6. Saul Strengthens His Power, Yet Fails Spiritually (verses 47–52)
➡️ Saul continued to lead in war and gather strength
➡️ But Saul’s spiritual life had already begun to decline — his decisions reflected pride and lack of dignity
🎯 Military success does not guarantee spiritual success.
📖 Main Teaching
- Bold faith can bring great victory, even without great strength
- God works through people who believe and act in faith
- A leader’s rash decisions can harm the people, even righteous people
- Wise leadership must go hand in hand with wisdom and compassion
- Leaders must be humble and willing to be corrected, even by their people
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
📖 Hebrews 11:32–34
“…by faith they conquered kingdoms…”
➡️ Jonathan is among the examples of heroes of faith who relied on God, not on the number of troops.
📖 James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom…”
➡️ Saul lacked wisdom — as spiritual leaders, we need to ask God for wisdom.
📖 Galatians 5:1
“Christ has set us free…”
➡️ Saul’s oath bound and wearied the people — a picture of leadership that burdens rather than frees.
📖 Luke 14:28
“Which of you, desiring to build a tower… does not first sit down and count the cost?”
➡️ Saul acted without counting the cost — in contrast to divine planning.
🕊️ “The Lord is able to save by many or by few.” – 1 Samuel 14:6
🕊️ “My father has brought trouble on the land.” – 1 Samuel 14:29
🕊️ “Jonathan has worked a great victory in Israel.” – 1 Samuel 14:45
🕊️ “A trembling spirit from God came upon the Philistines.” – 1 Samuel 14:15
