1 Samuel 14 2

1 Samuel 14:2 kjv

And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;

1 Samuel 14:2 nkjv

And Saul was sitting in the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men.

1 Samuel 14:2 niv

Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With him were about six hundred men,

1 Samuel 14:2 esv

Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah in the pomegranate cave at Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men,

1 Samuel 14:2 nlt

Meanwhile, Saul and his 600 men were camped on the outskirts of Gibeah, around the pomegranate tree at Migron.

1 Samuel 14 verses

1 Samuel 14 2 Meaning

This verse paints a critical picture of King Saul's position and the state of Israel's military during their conflict with the Philistines. It establishes Saul's static and somewhat defensive posture, dwelling in his capital, Gibeah, specifically under a common pomegranate tree in Migron, a geographical marker close to the area of confrontation. The significant detail is the drastically reduced number of his accompanying troops, a mere six hundred men. This low figure highlights Israel's dire vulnerability, its demoralized state, and the lack of human might against the formidable Philistine army, thus setting the scene for God's powerful intervention through means beyond conventional military strength.

1 Samuel 14 2 Context

This verse is positioned during a period of severe national crisis for Israel. The preceding chapter (1 Samuel 13) vividly details the oppressive Philistine military dominance, their advanced weaponry (including a monopoly on iron, preventing Israel from forging swords), and the resulting terror and desertion among the Israelite forces. It also narrates King Saul's disobedience in presumptuously offering a sacrifice instead of waiting for Samuel, an act that earned him God's pronouncement that his kingdom would not endure. Immediately prior to this verse, Jonathan, without his father's knowledge, resolves to take a daring initiative against a Philistine garrison. Therefore, 1 Samuel 14:2 provides the backdrop against which Jonathan's faithful action takes place, specifically describing Saul's static and cautious posture with his meager remnant of six hundred men, sharply contrasting with Jonathan's proactive faith. It underscores the severity of Israel's military weakness, thereby setting the stage for a divinely empowered victory that could not be attributed to human might or strategy.

1 Samuel 14 2 Word analysis

• Saul: (שָׁאוּל, Sha'ul) The first king of Israel. At this point in his reign, he exhibits wavering faith and declining spiritual vitality, shown by his passivity and the absence of offensive action in a dire national situation.

• was staying: (יוֹשֵׁב, yoshev) A Hebrew participle conveying "sitting," "dwelling," or "encamped." This implies a stationary, unmoving posture, rather than actively engaging or advancing militarily. It emphasizes Saul's reactive, waiting stance rather than bold leadership.

• in Gibeah: (בְּגִבְעָה, bə-Giv'ah) Meaning "hill." This was Saul's hometown and chosen capital. Gibeah held a notorious history in Israel (Judges 19-21) as a site of grievous sin and inter-tribal conflict, potentially reflecting Israel's continued spiritual compromises even under its king.

• under: (תַּחַת, taḥat) Denotes being beneath. This specific location emphasizes an unfortified, open-air resting place, rather than a defensible position or a command center indicative of active military planning.

• the pomegranate tree: (הָרִמּוֹן, ha-Rimmon) A common fruit tree, known for providing shade. As a landmark, it suggests an ordinary, identifiable place, but not one chosen for its strategic value or for military operations. It subtly reinforces the casual, observational nature of Saul's position.

• that is in Migron: (אֲשֶׁר בְּמִגְרוֹן, 'asher bə-Migron) Migron (מִגְרוֹן, Migrōn) means "precipice" or "threshing floor." This detail provides specific geographical context, indicating a precise location close to the enemy lines. It highlights Saul's close proximity to danger, yet he remains in a passive, observational role.

• And the people who were with him: Refers specifically to the segment of Israelite forces that remained loyal and present with King Saul, contrasting with those who had scattered due to fear or desertion.

• were about: (כְּ, kə) A particle denoting approximation. It suggests an estimated number, reinforcing the sense of the immediate circumstances.

• six hundred men: (שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת אִישׁ, shesh me'ot 'ish) This specific number is profoundly significant. It represents a drastic reduction from Saul's earlier levies and illustrates the severe demoralization and decimation of the Israelite forces. This numerical weakness stands in stark contrast to the Philistine might and highlights that any upcoming victory must be attributed to divine intervention rather than human strength.

• "Saul was staying in Gibeah, under the pomegranate tree that is in Migron.": This cluster of words paints a vivid picture of Saul's inaction and cautious leadership. He is depicted as sedentary, not leading his troops aggressively into battle or securing a strong defensive position. The familiar, unfortified landmark implies a temporary resting place or an observation point, rather than a strategic command post, highlighting his indecisiveness.

• "And the people who were with him were about six hundred men.": This phrase emphasizes the pitifully diminished state of the Israelite army. The contrast between this tiny band and the massive Philistine forces highlights the apparent hopelessness of Israel's situation from a human perspective. This detail powerfully sets the stage for God's demonstrative act of salvation through a small force (Jonathan) so that His glory might be undeniable.

1 Samuel 14 2 Bonus section

• The detail of Saul's specific location serves as a counterpoint to Jonathan's immediate decision to "go over to the Philistine garrison" (14:1). While Jonathan takes decisive, faith-filled action, Saul is in a relatively comfortable, though unfortified, waiting position.
• The small army of 600 men here becomes a deliberate biblical motif, echoing similar narratives like Gideon's 300 (Judg 7), where God purposefully reduces an army's size to ensure that victory is attributed solely to Him.
• Saul's lack of divine consultation at this point (which occurs later in the chapter via the ephod, but not initially) further emphasizes his reactive human reasoning rather than confident faith-driven leadership in the face of the enemy.

1 Samuel 14 2 Commentary

1 Samuel 14:2 provides a telling description of King Saul's position during Israel's existential crisis with the Philistines. The king's static presence "under a pomegranate tree" signifies a posture of waiting and observing rather than active engagement or decisive leadership. It indicates he is positioned, perhaps cautiously, but not aggressively pursuing a military advantage. This image immediately contrasts with Jonathan's immediate preceding resolve to take direct action. The severely depleted force of "about six hundred men" accompanying Saul dramatically illustrates the low morale and effectiveness of Israel's army, especially considering the initial thousands Saul mustered. This small number highlights Israel's dire vulnerability and sets the theological stage: when human resources are clearly inadequate, divine power becomes more apparent. The context implicitly points to the need for a non-human solution, as no mere army could win with such numerical disadvantage.