1 Samuel 14 39

1 Samuel 14:39 kjv

For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.

1 Samuel 14:39 nkjv

For as the LORD lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die." But not a man among all the people answered him.

1 Samuel 14:39 niv

As surely as the LORD who rescues Israel lives, even if the guilt lies with my son Jonathan, he must die." But not one of them said a word.

1 Samuel 14:39 esv

For as the LORD lives who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die." But there was not a man among all the people who answered him.

1 Samuel 14:39 nlt

I vow by the name of the LORD who rescued Israel that the sinner will surely die, even if it is my own son Jonathan!" But no one would tell him what the trouble was.

1 Samuel 14 verses

1 Samuel 14 39 Meaning

In 1 Samuel 14:39, King Saul declares a solemn, binding oath by God that whoever violated his rash edict, even if it were his own valiant son Jonathan, would certainly face death. Despite the gravity of the king's statement, and the revelation that Jonathan was indeed the transgressor by casting lots, the entire assembly of people remained utterly silent, offering no word of affirmation or dissent to Saul's decree, indicating deep apprehension, fear, or a quiet, collective disagreement with the severity and misapplication of the vow.

1 Samuel 14 39 Context

First Samuel chapter 14 describes a significant military engagement between Israel and the Philistines. Jonathan, without his father Saul's knowledge or command, initiates a daring raid with his armor-bearer against a Philistine garrison, resulting in a great victory for Israel. As the Philistines flee in disarray, the rest of Israel's army joins the pursuit. However, in an act of misguided zeal, King Saul pronounces a rash oath, forbidding his soldiers from eating any food until evening, so that he might take vengeance on his enemies. This vow inadvertently weakens his famished troops and causes them to transgress later by eating meat with blood still in it.

When Saul consults God through the high priest and the Urim, seeking guidance to complete the Philistine rout, he receives no answer, signaling that there is sin in the camp. Saul, unaware of Jonathan's innocent transgression of his oath (Jonathan had tasted honey to refresh himself, having not heard his father's vow), then insists on casting lots to discover the offender, declaring the solemn oath mentioned in verse 39. This historical context highlights Saul's impulsiveness, his attempt to impose legalistic obedience rather than rely on God's clear leading, and his growing detachment from the wisdom that should guide a king chosen by God.

1 Samuel 14 39 Word analysis

• As the LORD lives (Hebrew: Chai YHWH - חַי־יְהוָ֞ה): This is a powerful and sacred oath formula, often used to affirm the absolute truth, certainty, or seriousness of a declaration. By invoking God's living existence, Saul imbues his own decree with divine authority and unchangeability. It is a formula similar to how people swear on their own life or, more gravely, by God's life.
• who saves Israel: This phrase serves as an epithet for God, reminding all that it is the Lord who truly brings deliverance. It starkly contrasts with Saul's current actions, as Saul's vow hinders the full deliverance rather than assisting it. It subtly underscores Saul's flawed understanding of where true salvation lies—not in human oaths, but in God's power and provision.
• though it be in Jonathan my son: The Hebrew word gam (גַּם) translates to "even," "also," or "though." This expresses the extreme extent of Saul's resolution. It showcases his rigid, unyielding commitment to his oath, even at the cost of his own offspring, who was also the hero who initiated their victory. The inclusion of "my son" adds a layer of personal tragedy to Saul's legalism and his willingness to sacrifice even family for his perceived righteous upholding of the law.
• he shall surely die (Hebrew: mot yamut - מוֹת יָמ֗וּת): This is an emphatic Hebrew construction using the infinitive absolute before the finite verb, literally meaning "dying he shall die" or "he will surely die." It leaves no doubt as to the certainty of the sentence. This phrase is typically reserved for irreversible divine or royal decrees, often for capital punishment. It reflects the absolute finality of Saul's intention.
• But there was not a man among all the people who answered him: This phrase speaks volumes through its silence. It conveys the collective shock, fear, or profound disagreement among the people. The people likely saw Jonathan as a hero who acted for Israel's good, not as a wicked transgressor. Their silence could mean:
  • Dismay/Disagreement: They disapproved of Saul's extreme and misplaced legalism.
  • Fear: They were afraid to contradict an enraged king who had just sworn such a potent oath.
  • Implicit Defense: Their silence served as a tacit protest against the judgment against Jonathan.

1 Samuel 14 39 Bonus section

• Saul's Misplaced Piety: Saul’s actions highlight a dangerous form of religiosity where human-made rules or interpretations become more binding than divine mercy or practical wisdom. He sought to force God’s hand by punishing an unknown sin, similar to the Achan incident (Jos 7), but unlike Achan's willful rebellion, Jonathan’s act was unknowing and unintentional.
• Jonathan's Unjust Condemnation: The heroic nature of Jonathan's actions is paradoxically met with the threat of execution. This contrasts Saul's insecure and legalistic rule with Jonathan's pure faith and devotion, emphasizing Saul’s declining moral judgment and leadership.
• Divine Non-response: God’s initial silence to Saul’s inquiries was not necessarily a judgment on Jonathan's eating honey, but potentially on Saul's rash vow or his general unrighteousness in the first place, or perhaps God waited to expose the character of the king through this crisis.
• Averted Tragedy: While this verse declares the death sentence, later in the chapter, the people intervene and ransom Jonathan, preventing the tragedy and demonstrating their greater understanding of God's actual will for their hero. This intervention by the people itself reveals Saul's diminished authority and their sense of natural justice prevailing over an arbitrary legalism.

1 Samuel 14 39 Commentary

Verse 39 reveals a pivotal moment of tension and misguided zeal in Saul's reign. Driven by an intense desire to identify the sin he believed caused God's silence, Saul doubles down on his rash vow, elevating it to an absolute divine standard by swearing by the Lord's very life. The severity of his declaration, "he shall surely die," underscored by the Hebrew emphatic construction, exposes his rigid adherence to the letter of his law, even when it demands the sacrifice of his own son, Jonathan—the very person God used to secure Israel's victory. This misguided application of his authority shows Saul's lack of discernment and an emphasis on outward adherence rather than the spirit of the law, which prizes mercy and understanding. The ensuing silence from "all the people" is equally significant. It signals their implicit disapproval, their consternation, or perhaps their fear, indicating a chasm forming between the king and his subjects, particularly in his pursuit of Jonathan for an unwitting, non-malicious transgression. This highlights a dangerous trait in Saul's leadership: an impulsive spirit, a tendency toward self-righteousness, and a legalism that would ultimately lead to his downfall. This event is a stark reminder that even well-intended zeal, when disconnected from divine wisdom and compassion, can lead to devastating and unjust outcomes.