1 Samuel 14 31

1 Samuel 14:31 kjv

And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.

1 Samuel 14:31 nkjv

Now they had driven back the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. So the people were very faint.

1 Samuel 14:31 niv

That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Mikmash to Aijalon, they were exhausted.

1 Samuel 14:31 esv

They struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were very faint.

1 Samuel 14:31 nlt

They chased and killed the Philistines all day from Micmash to Aijalon, growing more and more faint.

1 Samuel 14 verses

1 Samuel 14 31 Meaning

1 Samuel 14:31 describes the climax of a significant battle where the Israelites achieved a substantial victory over the Philistines. Following the unexpected triumph, driven initially by Jonathan's bold faith, the verse highlights the extreme cost of the battle on the Israelite soldiers: they were utterly exhausted and famished from their relentless pursuit of the enemy. This state of severe depletion directly sets the scene for the subsequent events in the chapter, where the people, driven by their hunger, violate God's law regarding the eating of meat with blood still in it. The verse juxtaposes great military success with profound physical distress, foreshadowing the moral compromise that follows.

1 Samuel 14 31 Context

Verse 31 of 1 Samuel chapter 14 describes the intense aftermath of a critical battle. The preceding verses narrate how Jonathan, Saul's son, without his father's knowledge or consent, initiated a decisive attack on the Philistine garrison with only his armor-bearer, relying entirely on God for victory. This bold act turned the tide, leading to widespread confusion among the Philistines and prompting the Israelite army, including those who had been hiding and defected, to join the pursuit. Saul, in a display of misplaced religious zeal and leadership, had made a rash oath, forbidding his soldiers from eating any food until the Philistines were completely avenged, under threat of death. This oath severely impacted the morale and physical state of the already battling troops, setting a detrimental condition for their pursuit. Thus, verse 31 shows the physical culmination of their relentless efforts and Saul's thoughtless vow, creating a desperate situation for the victorious but famished Israelite army. Historically, the conflict with the Philistines was existential for early Israel, highlighting Saul's inability to provide consistent, God-honoring leadership despite initial military success. This situation underscores a polemic against leaders whose personal religious observances or ambitions override the well-being and God-given responsibilities towards their people.

1 Samuel 14 31 Word analysis

• And they struck down (וַיַּכּוּ - vayyakku): From the root נָכָה (nakah), meaning "to strike, smite, beat, wound, kill." This Hiphil form implies a decisive, causing action. It highlights the direct, effective military action taken by the Israelite army. This was a victorious rout, fulfilling the military objective of pushing back the Philistines. The "they" refers collectively to the Israelite forces.

• the Philistines: The formidable adversaries of Israel during this period, constantly warring and exerting control over the land. Their defeat was a significant national victory.

• that day: Emphasizes the intensity, continuous nature, and singular focus of the entire day's battle and pursuit, suggesting no pause for rest or sustenance.

• from Michmash to Aijalon: These are significant geographical markers.

  • Michmash (מִכְמָשׂ - Mikmash): Located strategically in Benjamin, east of Bethel. This was where the battle began and the Philistine garrison was stationed (1 Sam 13:2, 5, 16).
  • Aijalon (אַיָּלוֹן - Ayyalon): A town in the tribal territory of Dan (Josh 19:42), much further west in the lowlands (Shephelah), approximately 20 miles (32 km) away. This long distance signifies a sustained, exhaustive pursuit of the Philistines, indicating a comprehensive rout rather than a mere skirmish.

• And the people (וְהָעָם - veha'am): Refers to the collective Israelite soldiers. This shift to "the people" highlights the general state of the entire army, not just leadership.

• were very faint (וַיָּעַף עָיֵף - vayya'aph 'ayef):

  • וַיָּעַף (vayya'aph): From the root יָעַף (ya'af), meaning "to be weary, faint, tired, exhausted." This Qal imperfect consecutive verb expresses a state of becoming.
  • עָיֵף ('ayef): The same root used as an adjective or noun, meaning "faint, weary."
  • The repetition of the root, using a verbal form and an adjective/participle derived from the same root, serves as an intensifier, similar to "faintingly faint" or "utterly exhausted." This emphasizes the extreme, near-collapse physical state of the soldiers. It signifies they had pushed past normal fatigue into dangerous exhaustion and hunger.

• "And they struck down the Philistines... And the people were very faint": This group of phrases highlights the dramatic contrast between the military triumph and the severe human cost. It reveals that the victory came at an enormous physical price for the soldiers, making their subsequent actions (eating blood) understandable from a human perspective, though still a transgression of divine law. It foreshadows the moral dilemma arising from leadership's unwise decisions.

1 Samuel 14 31 Bonus section

The severe physical state of the Israelite soldiers described in this verse is not merely a descriptive detail; it functions as a critical narrative link. It directly explains why the people, in their desperate hunger, violated a foundational Mosaic law (eating blood, prohibited in Gen 9:4; Lev 3:17; 7:26; 17:10; Deut 12:16, 23). This violation then leads to a confrontation with Saul, his own misguided zeal (attempting to kill Jonathan for unintentionally breaking the oath), and ultimately highlights his failure as a leader to properly care for his people and adhere to God's broader commandments beyond his own vows. The Philistine defeat, though achieved, reveals cracks in Saul's spiritual and practical leadership. God had provided victory, but Saul's human addition (the oath) brought unnecessary hardship and sin upon the very people he led. This passage thus serves as a study in leadership failures that indirectly cause collective sin and distress.

1 Samuel 14 31 Commentary

1 Samuel 14:31 paints a vivid picture of a hard-won victory overshadowed by the debilitating exhaustion of the Israelite army. The comprehensive rout of the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, a significant geographical distance, demonstrates the divine power at work through Jonathan's faith and the determined pursuit of the soldiers. However, the accompanying declaration that "the people were very faint" is critical. This exhaustion was not just physical weariness but an acute state of hunger and fatigue brought on by a day-long, relentless battle and march, exacerbated by Saul's ill-advised oath prohibiting food. This verse masterfully juxtaposes the success of battle with the imminent internal crisis stemming from Saul's leadership flaws and the desperate needs of his people. It sets the stage for the collective sin of eating meat with blood still in it, highlighting the dangerous consequences when human zeal or religious observance supersedes wisdom, empathy, and obedience to clear divine commandments regarding the well-being of God's people.