1 Samuel 14 26

1 Samuel 14:26 kjv

And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.

1 Samuel 14:26 nkjv

And when the people had come into the woods, there was the honey, dripping; but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.

1 Samuel 14:26 niv

When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out; yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath.

1 Samuel 14:26 esv

And when the people entered the forest, behold, the honey was dropping, but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.

1 Samuel 14:26 nlt

They didn't dare touch the honey because they all feared the oath they had taken.

1 Samuel 14 verses

1 Samuel 14 26 Meaning

First Samuel 14:26 describes a moment during the battle where the Israelite army, weakened by a fast imposed by King Saul's rash oath, came across a significant quantity of honey flowing freely on the ground in a forest. This sudden discovery presented a potent temptation to the famished soldiers, creating a conflict between their desperate need for sustenance and the king's binding, yet unwise, decree.

1 Samuel 14 26 Context

Chapter 14 of 1 Samuel narrates the Philistine oppression of Israel and Jonathan's audacious, faith-filled strike against a Philistine outpost, which God blesses. However, King Saul, leading the rest of the Israelite army, compounds strategic missteps with a rash and unwise oath, forbidding his soldiers from eating until evening under pain of death. This oath severely weakened the army, hindering their pursuit of the fleeing Philistines and causing great distress among the famished soldiers. Verse 26 immediately follows the king's curse and the army's hunger, setting the stage for the dramatic discovery of the honey, which serves as a potent test of the army's endurance and their leader's decree. The historical context highlights the challenges of ancient warfare, where immediate sustenance was crucial, and the cultural weight of vows and curses in ancient Israelite society.

1 Samuel 14 26 Word Analysis

• And when the troops came: (וְכָל-הָעָם֙, ve-chol-ha'am – literally "and all the people/army"). This emphasizes the entire collective body of soldiers, not just a small scouting party, suggesting a widespread encounter with the honey and the resulting shared temptation.
• to the forest: (בָּאוּ֙ בַּיַּ֣עַר, ba'u bay-ya'ar – "came into the forest"). The specific location implies a natural, wild setting where honey might be found readily. Forests could also be strategic locations for ambush or concealment in ancient warfare.
• behold: (וְהִנֵּ֛ה, ve-hinneh – "and behold," "lo," "look!"). This interjection draws attention to a surprising or striking discovery. It signifies immediacy and impact, highlighting the suddenness and overwhelming presence of the honey.
• there was a flow of honey: (דְּבַ֖שׁ נָטָ֥ף, devash nataf – "honey dripping/flowing").
  • Devash (דְּבַשׁ): Commonly translated as "honey," this Hebrew word can refer to either bee honey or date syrup (or even grape molasses). Given the context of a forest and being found in a natural state (dropping from trees/rocks), natural bee honey is highly probable, implying wild honeycombs bursting open or flowing from a natural crevice.
  • Nataf (נָטָ֥ף): Means "to drip," "to flow," "to drop." It denotes a continuous, visible outpouring. This isn't just a small amount but a substantial, visible "flow," emphasizing the abundance and accessibility of the honey. The passive implication is that it wasn't placed there by human hands, but flowed naturally.
• on the ground: (עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַשָּׂדֶֽה, al-p'nei has-sadeh – "upon the face of the field/ground"). This phrase underscores the incredible ease of access. It wasn't in a hard-to-reach honeycomb, but readily available on the very path the soldiers traversed. The "face of the field" indicates a broad, exposed area, not hidden.
• Word Group Analysis:
  • "And when the troops came...behold": This phrase sets the scene with a sense of sudden discovery and the collective experience of the army. The immediacy of "behold" underlines the surprise and impact of what they found after their wearisome journey under the curse of hunger.
  • "there was a flow of honey on the ground": This phrase vividly paints a picture of unexpected, natural abundance. The imagery of honey, a symbol of blessing and prosperity (the "land flowing with milk and honey"), being available "on the ground" paradoxically becomes a source of extreme temptation and potential transgression due to Saul's oath. It highlights the clash between God's natural provision and human, ill-conceived restriction.

1 Samuel 14 26 Bonus Section

• The widespread presence of the honey, flowing "on the ground," makes the temptation almost unavoidable for the famished soldiers, emphasizing the severity of Saul's curse. It's not a hidden cache but an obvious, palpable source of relief.
• This verse subtly sets up the later transgression (eating blood) as a direct consequence of the physical deprivation caused by Saul's ill-advised oath. The immediate, available honey represents the point of crisis that leads to the subsequent act of desperation.
• The honey, traditionally a symbol of God's blessing and the richness of the Promised Land, ironically becomes a test of obedience, not to a divine command, but to a human edict born of kingly arrogance and zeal without knowledge.

1 Samuel 14 26 Commentary

First Samuel 14:26 dramatically reveals the stark contrast between divine provision and human folly. While the honey itself, naturally flowing, represents a timely and beneficial blessing from God to an exhausted army, Saul's rash vow turns this blessing into a perilous temptation. The scene underscores the severe physical hardship imposed on the soldiers by Saul's spiritual imprudence. It highlights a common theme in the Bible: blessings can become curses when confronted with disobedience or misguided human laws that contradict common sense and compassionate leadership. The abundant honey "on the ground" epitomizes how God provides, even for those under an unrighteous decree, simultaneously revealing the severity of their hunger and the difficulty of adhering to Saul's binding command.