1 Samuel 14 36

1 Samuel 14:36 kjv

And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.

1 Samuel 14:36 nkjv

Now Saul said, "Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and plunder them until the morning light; and let us not leave a man of them." And they said, "Do whatever seems good to you." Then the priest said, "Let us draw near to God here."

1 Samuel 14:36 niv

Saul said, "Let us go down and pursue the Philistines by night and plunder them till dawn, and let us not leave one of them alive." "Do whatever seems best to you," they replied. But the priest said, "Let us inquire of God here."

1 Samuel 14:36 esv

Then Saul said, "Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until the morning light; let us not leave a man of them." And they said, "Do whatever seems good to you." But the priest said, "Let us draw near to God here."

1 Samuel 14:36 nlt

Then Saul said, "Let's chase the Philistines all night and plunder them until sunrise. Let's destroy every last one of them." His men replied, "We'll do whatever you think is best." But the priest said, "Let's ask God first."

1 Samuel 14 verses

1 Samuel 14 36 Meaning

This verse details a pivotal moment during Israel's battle against the Philistines. Saul, exhilarated by the day's success, proposes an ambitious night pursuit to completely annihilate the retreating Philistines and seize their possessions. The exhausted and compliant Israelite army readily agrees to their king's plan. However, Ahijah the priest interjects, advocating a critical pause for spiritual discernment. He insists on seeking God's guidance before pressing forward with any further military action, emphasizing reliance on divine approval rather than purely human strategy or impulsive enthusiasm.

1 Samuel 14 36 Context

Chapter 14 of 1 Samuel narrates the intense battle between the Israelites and the Philistines. The narrative begins with Jonathan, Saul's son, initiating a bold, faith-filled strike against the Philistine garrison without his father's knowledge, igniting a rout among the Philistines. Saul, attempting to capitalize on this, pronounces a rash vow forbidding anyone from eating until the enemy is completely vanquished, an oath that inadvertently endangers Jonathan and causes immense hardship and fatigue among his soldiers. The exhaustion and hunger of the army lead them to sin by eating meat with the blood, directly violating God's law (v. 32). In this immediate aftermath, after building an altar to the Lord, Saul's attempt to inquire of God for guidance on further pursuit meets with silence (v. 37), signaling divine displeasure due to an unaddressed sin or transgression within the camp. This verse (v. 36) serves as a turning point, revealing Saul's immediate impulse to exploit a military advantage, while the priest, Ahijah, discerning the underlying spiritual issues, calls for seeking God's will above all else, foreshadowing the discovery of Jonathan's unwitting transgression due to Saul's earlier vow.

1 Samuel 14 36 Word analysis

• Then Saul said: שָׁאוּל (Sha'ul) - Refers to Israel's first king, who often acted based on impulse and human reasoning, a recurring flaw in his reign. His immediate utterance reveals his human-centric perspective on military strategy.
• 'Let us go down': נֵרְדָה (ner'da) - A direct imperative, signifying eagerness and resolve. This emphasizes Saul's proactive and aggressive stance, wanting to press the advantage without pause.
• 'after the Philistines': פְּלִשְׁתִּים (Pelish'tim) - The long-standing oppressors of Israel. Saul's desire for pursuit reflects the ongoing struggle against this powerful enemy.
• 'by night': בַלַּיְלָה (bal-lay'la) - Indicates a continuous, relentless pursuit under the cover of darkness. This demonstrates a tactical decision, yet it carries the risks of nighttime combat and exhaustion.
• 'and plunder them': נָבוֹזָה בָהֶם (navo'zah va-hem) - To spoil or take loot. This highlights not just victory, but also the material gain and complete subjugation of the enemy, which was a typical aspect of warfare.
• 'until the morning light': עַד אוֹר הַבֹּקֶר (ad ohr hab-bo'ker) - Suggests an all-night operation. This conveys the intensity of Saul's plan and his desire for total victory.
• 'and let us not leave a man of them': וְלֹא נוֹתִיר בָּהֶם אִישׁ (v'lo notir ba-hem ish) - Expresses an intent for total annihilation. This ruthless desire for a decisive end reflects the harsh realities of ancient warfare and the specific context of Holy War against certain enemies.
• And they said, 'Do whatever seems good to you.': The people's immediate and unqualified assent shows their exhaustion, willingness to comply with royal authority, and perhaps a weariness for protracted war, simply desiring an end to the conflict under any condition Saul proposes. It also indicates a potential lack of spiritual discernment within the army.
• But the priest said: וַיֹּאמֶר הַכֹּהֵן (vayyo'mer hak-ko'hen) - Refers to Ahijah (as identified in v. 33 and v. 3), who served as a critical religious figure. His interjection signifies the introduction of divine authority and a higher perspective against immediate human impulse.
• 'Let us draw near to God here.': נִקְרְבָה עַד הָאֱלֹהִים הֲלֹם (niqre'va ad ha-Elohim ha'lom) - This is the crucial counter-proposal.
  • 'Let us draw near': נִקְרְבָה (niqre'va) - To come close, approach. In a cultic or religious context, this implies consulting God, specifically through means like the Urim and Thummim via the High Priest's ephod. It represents a call for spiritual humility and direct divine guidance.
  • 'to God': אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) - Refers to the singular, true God of Israel, highlighting the source of ultimate authority and wisdom.
  • 'here': הֲלֹם (halom) - Indicates the immediate presence of the priestly implements or the altar just built, allowing for an immediate consultation with God, demonstrating the priest's urgency for spiritual clarity.

1 Samuel 14 36 Bonus section

The priest's call to "draw near to God here" is more than a formality; it signifies a theological commitment central to Israel's identity. During Saul's reign, the Urim and Thummim, often housed within the high priestly ephod, were the designated means by which God's immediate will was sought on matters of national importance, especially military strategy. God's earlier silence to Saul's inquiry (1 Sam 14:37) indicated His displeasure and an unresolved issue. The priest's insistence, therefore, was not merely advisory but a necessary step to uncover the hidden transgression that was preventing divine communication. This moment highlights Saul's growing disregard for proper spiritual protocol and God's law, a recurring theme that ultimately led to his downfall. It also shows the importance of discerning the Lord's timing and means of warfare.

1 Samuel 14 36 Commentary

This verse sharply contrasts Saul's impetuous, human-centered leadership with the necessary divine consultation through the priesthood. Saul's proposition to pursue and utterly destroy the Philistines reflects a warrior's natural ambition for complete victory, untempered by reflection on the army's spiritual state or prior divine silence. The people's ready acquiescence reveals their weariness and willingness to defer to their king without spiritual or tactical discernment. However, the priest's timely intervention—"Let us draw near to God here"—is paramount. It serves as a potent reminder that Israel's warfare, unlike that of other nations, was fundamentally spiritual; success was contingent on God's will and active presence. The priest's words underscore a vital principle for God's people: human zeal and logical planning, however seemingly advantageous, must always be subordinated to seeking divine approval and wisdom. This pause was crucial, for it implicitly suggested that something was amiss in God's eyes, preparing the way for the revelation of the sin that had hindered divine communication, directly impacting the well-being of the kingdom.