1 Samuel 14 28

1 Samuel 14:28 kjv

Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.

1 Samuel 14:28 nkjv

Then one of the people said, "Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, 'Cursed is the man who eats food this day.' " And the people were faint.

1 Samuel 14:28 niv

Then one of the soldiers told him, "Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, 'Cursed be anyone who eats food today!' That is why the men are faint."

1 Samuel 14:28 esv

Then one of the people said, "Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, 'Cursed be the man who eats food this day.'" And the people were faint.

1 Samuel 14:28 nlt

But one of the men saw him and said, "Your father made the army take a strict oath that anyone who eats food today will be cursed. That is why everyone is weary and faint."

1 Samuel 14 verses

1 Samuel 14 28 Meaning

1 Samuel 14:28 describes the moment when one of Saul's soldiers reveals to Saul, likely in front of the people, the harsh oath Saul had imposed on the army. This oath declared that any soldier who consumed food before the day's fighting concluded would be cursed. The verse highlights the dire consequence of this decree: the soldiers were extremely fatigued and weakened due to the imposed fast, directly impacting their ability to continue the pursuit of the Philistines.

1 Samuel 14 28 Context

1 Samuel chapter 14 describes a significant battle against the Philistines. Earlier in the chapter, Saul, lacking direction from God and acting out of impatience, makes a rash and detrimental oath: no one should eat any food until the Philistines are utterly vanquished. This decree, driven by zealous, yet misguided, piety, significantly undermines the physical and psychological well-being of his soldiers. Jonathan, Saul's son, unaware of his father's oath, eats honey in the pursuit of the enemy, restoring his strength. Verse 28 specifically details how a soldier reveals Saul's curse to him after the army had been struggling and weary, further exposing the ill effects of the king's arbitrary command on the fatigued army during what should have been a triumphant and energetic pursuit. The historical context reflects a period when the newly established monarchy in Israel under Saul was struggling with establishing proper divine and human authority, often characterized by Saul's self-reliance and deviations from God's commands.

1 Samuel 14 28 Word analysis

• Then one of the people informed him: This indicates that the information was volunteered, likely because the soldier saw the king was about to take action based on an incomplete understanding of the situation. The Hebrew term for "informed" or "made known" is yaggîd (יַגִּיד), from the root nagad, meaning to declare or tell. This action implies a challenge or correction to the king's misperception or lack of awareness.

• “Your father: This refers to King Saul, directly linking the source of the problematic oath to the ultimate authority figure in Israel. The emphasis on "father" suggests familiarity but also acknowledges the hierarchical power structure within the military, where Jonathan is distinct from Saul in command style.

• strictly charged the army with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food this day!’: The phrase "strictly charged with an oath" is critical. The Hebrew is heêlââm šbû`â (הֶעֱלָה עַם שְׁבוּעָה), literally "laid an oath upon the people." The term `alâ (עָלָה) can imply bringing something upon someone. The "oath" (shevu`ah or alah) refers to a solemn promise often backed by a curse (arur - אָרוּר) if broken. This was not a suggestion but a binding command with dire spiritual and physical consequences attached. Saul used a direct imprecation, meaning any deviation from the command would incur God's judgment. The term `arur is severe, indicating a state of being rejected, alienated from divine favor, and often subjected to suffering or death.

• ‘Cursed be the man who eats food this day!’: This highlights the specific and comprehensive nature of the prohibition. "This day" imposed a strict time limit, during which the army was expected to fight without sustenance. It demonstrates Saul's rigid and legalistic application of what he perceived as devotion, not allowing for the natural and necessary human need for food.

• So the people are faint.”: The Hebrew term ya`ep (יָעֵף), translated as "faint" or "weary," suggests deep exhaustion. It paints a picture of soldiers too debilitated to continue the pursuit of their enemies effectively. This is the practical consequence and human cost of Saul's misguided piety and rash vow, hindering the very victory he aimed to achieve through divine assistance. This direct link between Saul's command and the army's debilitated state underscores the king's flawed judgment and its immediate, tangible negative impact.

• "Your father strictly charged the army with an oath...": This group of words emphasizes the authoritative, binding, and potentially devastating nature of Saul's decree. Saul imposed a solemn obligation on the entire army, which, by its nature as an oath involving a curse, carried immense spiritual weight and consequence in ancient Israelite culture. It was not merely a military command but a sacred pledge that God was invoked to witness and enforce.

• "Cursed be the man who eats food this day!" So the people are faint.”: This passage encapsulates the essence of the problem. It first states the severe curse associated with eating, and then immediately reveals its immediate, tragic outcome. The contrast between the intent (to achieve victory by a fast) and the outcome (weakening the army) reveals the foolishness of Saul's action, demonstrating that zeal without wisdom, or religious fervor untempered by understanding of God's ways or human need, can be counterproductive.

1 Samuel 14 28 Bonus section

The immediate outcome of Saul's oath demonstrates a failure of leadership: a leader’s commands can sometimes work against God’s intended success if they are not aligned with divine wisdom and compassion. Saul's decision highlights a misplaced emphasis on human rules and rituals over divine provision and practical discernment, leading to counterproductive outcomes. The incident underscores a deeper theological truth that God's power in battle does not rely on human asceticism or ritual fasting enforced through a curse, but on His Spirit and the faithfulness of His people. The human-made curse threatened to nullify a divinely ordained victory, indicating Saul’s inability to grasp the spiritual principles of reliance on God's strength and blessing over man's self-imposed discipline.

1 Samuel 14 28 Commentary

1 Samuel 14:28 lays bare the severe, self-inflicted consequence of King Saul's impulsive and unbiblical oath. Saul's decree, intended to garner divine favor or demonstrate piety during battle, instead caused extreme physical distress to his army, ironically hindering the very victory God was granting them. The verse acts as a pivotal moment, as it exposes the disconnect between Saul's religious zeal and practical wisdom, foreshadowing his increasing separation from God's favor due to his disobedience and self-willed actions. His rigid adherence to a self-imposed vow, without considering the practical needs of his exhausted men or the broader context of God's enablement in battle, resulted in widespread fatigue, missed opportunity for complete victory, and ultimately, threatened the lives of his soldiers, including his valiant son, Jonathan. This passage serves as a cautionary tale against rash vows and zealous piety devoid of true discernment and love for one's neighbor.