1 Samuel 14 29

1 Samuel 14:29 kjv

Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.

1 Samuel 14:29 nkjv

But Jonathan said, "My father has troubled the land. Look now, how my countenance has brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.

1 Samuel 14:29 niv

Jonathan said, "My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey.

1 Samuel 14:29 esv

Then Jonathan said, "My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey.

1 Samuel 14:29 nlt

"My father has made trouble for us all!" Jonathan exclaimed. "A command like that only hurts us. See how refreshed I am now that I have eaten this little bit of honey.

1 Samuel 14 verses

1 Samuel 14 29 Meaning

Jonathan laments the severe hindrance brought upon the entire nation by his father Saul’s rash vow. He perceives that Saul’s decree to abstain from food has debilitated the people, preventing them from achieving a decisive and complete victory over their enemies. He contrasts his own renewed vigor and clarity of vision, gained from unknowingly breaking the fast by tasting honey, with the exhaustion and dimness of the rest of the army, illustrating the detrimental physical and strategic impact of the oath.

1 Samuel 14 29 Context

Chapter 14 of 1 Samuel depicts Jonathan's audacious initiative against the Philistines, initially without Saul's knowledge. Through Jonathan and his armor-bearer, God grants Israel a significant victory. However, Saul, displaying his characteristic impulsiveness and zeal without discretion, imposes a strict oath on his army, forbidding anyone from eating until evening, ostensibly to avenge himself on his enemies. This oath backfired disastrously, physically weakening his troops and hindering their pursuit of the fleeing Philistines. The army becomes so famished that they slaughter animals and eat the meat with blood, transgressing a Mosaic law. Jonathan, unaware of the oath, eats honey and thereby unknowingly incurs the curse. When the army confesses their exhaustion, Saul decides to seek God's guidance, leading to the discovery that Jonathan broke the oath. Jonathan's declaration in verse 29 is his response to Saul's immediate question about his eating, revealing his sharp perception of his father's grave mistake and its damaging consequences on the entire nation.

1 Samuel 14 29 Word analysis

• Jonathan said: (וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוֹנָתָן, WaYyo’mer Yehônātān) - Implies a reasoned, articulate response from Jonathan, contrasting with Saul’s impulsive and less thoughtful actions throughout the chapter. Jonathan acts with discernment.
• My father: (’āḇî, אָבִי) - Jonathan clearly identifies the source of the trouble, showing no hesitation in confronting Saul's ill-advised action, even while respecting him as a father. This highlights a generational contrast in wisdom and leadership.
• has troubled: (‘āḵar, עָכַר) - The verb ‘āḵar means to stir up, trouble, make muddy, or bring disaster upon. Its most prominent Old Testament usage is in the story of Achan (Joshua 7:25), whose sin "troubled" Israel by bringing divine wrath and defeat. Here, Jonathan implicitly links Saul's rash vow to a major transgression that brought negative consequences on the community. It conveys disruption, confusion, and adverse impact.
• the land: (’et-hā’āreṣ, אֶת־הָאָרֶץ) - Refers to the whole nation or the people of Israel, not just a specific region. Saul's foolish decree impacts everyone, weakening the collective effort and welfare.
• Look now: (rə’û nā’, רְאוּ נָא) - An interjection calling for attention and observation, much like "consider this" or "see for yourselves." It emphasizes Jonathan's point by urging them to witness the clear evidence.
• how my eyes have become bright: (kî ōrû ‘êynay, כִּי אֹרוּ עֵינַי) - Literally "my eyes have been enlightened/shined." This describes the physical effect of eating honey after fasting – relief from exhaustion, a clearer mind, and restored physical strength, which directly contrasts with the dimness of vision or exhaustion that the famished soldiers experienced. Metaphorically, it implies clarity of thought and spiritual discernment. Jonathan's perception of Saul's mistake is "bright" in contrast to the spiritual "blindness" induced by the oath.
• because I tasted: (kî ṭā‘amtî, כִּי טָעַמְתִּי) - Refers to the act of eating, directly linking his physical rejuvenation to the consumption of honey, which the oath forbade.
• a little: (məlō’ hēn nāzūh, מְלֹא־הֵן נָזוּהּ) - Literally, "a comb full" (of honey). It specifies the small quantity consumed, emphasizing that even a little food brought significant positive impact, highlighting the folly of depriving the whole army.
• of this honey: (mikkūlla’ hāḏeḇaš hazzéh, מִכְּלַל הַדְּבַשׁ הַזֶּה) - The specific food source, honey, which was readily available but forbidden by Saul.
• "My father has troubled the land...": This phrase connects Saul's spiritual/leadership failing to a direct negative impact on the entire people, echoing the gravity of Achan's sin and its corporate repercussions on Israel. It speaks to Saul's short-sighted, self-centered leadership which prioritized his personal vow over the national good and God's plan for victory.
• "...how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey": This phrase draws a sharp contrast between Jonathan’s clarity and the suffering of the troops. Jonathan's physical renewal and perceptive understanding serve as a counter-argument to the imposed restriction, highlighting the impracticality and detriment of Saul’s oath. His physical strength is paralleled by his spiritual clarity in recognizing Saul's error.

1 Samuel 14 29 Bonus section

The immediate outcome of Saul's ill-conceived oath extended beyond the exhaustion of his troops. It nearly cost Jonathan his life, leading to the people's intervention to save him from Saul's pledge. This entire episode serves as a significant narrative detail in the biblical record of Saul's decline, contrasting his self-serving "zeal" with true faith and leadership. It highlights the principle that obedience, even seemingly pious obedience, divorced from wisdom, discernment, and care for God's people, can hinder divine blessing and purpose. The contrast between Jonathan, who acts boldly in faith and understands its practical implications, and Saul, who acts impulsively based on flawed reasoning and personal ambition, foreshadows their differing destinies and the eventual transfer of kingship from Saul's line. The physical restoration Jonathan experiences through honey subtly emphasizes the importance of basic provision and strength in performing God's will, suggesting that ascetic practices, if not God-ordained, can be detrimental.

1 Samuel 14 29 Commentary

Jonathan’s statement is a profound and discerning critique of King Saul's impulsive and misguided leadership. Saul’s rash vow, made out of a misplaced zeal to secure personal vengeance rather than relying on divine power, brought distress upon the very people he led and thwarted the complete triumph God intended. The word "troubled" (Hebrew ‘āḵar) powerfully connects Saul's action to significant harm inflicted upon the community, reminiscent of Achan's sin. Jonathan, whose actions initiated the victory by faith, directly contrasts Saul's self-defeating command with his own experience: a simple act of eating (unknowingly breaking the oath) brought clarity, strength, and heightened discernment, symbolizing true spiritual insight versus legalistic folly. The entire army, deprived of strength, failed to pursue the enemy effectively, turning a potential rout into a prolonged, debilitating conflict. This verse reveals Jonathan as a figure of wisdom and genuine leadership, overshadowed by Saul's spiritual blindness and erratic rule, illustrating that human-made rules, even when seemingly pious, can obstruct God's greater purpose if not aligned with divine wisdom and compassion for the people.