1 Samuel 14 47

1 Samuel 14:47 kjv

So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.

1 Samuel 14:47 nkjv

So Saul established his sovereignty over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the people of Ammon, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he harassed them.

1 Samuel 14:47 niv

After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them.

1 Samuel 14:47 esv

When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the Ammonites, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned he routed them.

1 Samuel 14:47 nlt

Now when Saul had secured his grasp on Israel's throne, he fought against his enemies in every direction ? against Moab, Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. And wherever he turned, he was victorious.

1 Samuel 14 verses

1 Samuel 14 47 Meaning

1 Samuel 14:47 summarizes Saul's reign, particularly his role as a military leader and the nation's deliverer. It states that after taking kingship, he actively engaged in warfare against Israel's perennial adversaries on all borders: Moab, Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. The verse highlights his effectiveness, asserting that wherever he directed his efforts, he succeeded in rescuing Israel from their oppressors and plunderers, thus fulfilling a key part of his royal mandate to provide national security.

1 Samuel 14 47 Context

Chapter 14 of 1 Samuel depicts a mixed period of Saul's reign, immediately after his flawed leadership led to a desperate military situation against the Philistines. It recounts Jonathan's bold initiative and subsequent miraculous victory, Saul's impulsive and faithless oath which almost cost Jonathan his life, and the people's eating of meat with blood, revealing their distress and Saul's lack of true priestly guidance. This summary verse (14:47) serves as an editorial retrospective, encapsulating Saul's overall military efforts and successes despite the leadership issues highlighted in the chapter. It frames Saul's early-to-mid reign as one characterized by persistent conflict and general military triumph. Historically, this period marks Israel's transition from a loose tribal confederacy under judges to a centralized monarchy. The king's primary mandate, especially with powerful neighbors like the Philistines, was to unify and lead Israel in defending its borders and maintaining peace within them.

1 Samuel 14 47 Word analysis

• So Saul: Hebrew: Sha'ul (שָׁאוּל). Meaning "asked for" or "loaned," alluding to the people's request for a king. It contrasts Saul's divinely appointed, yet humanly sought, kingship with God's ultimate design.
• took the kingship: Hebrew: wayyilḵōḏ hammaḇnûkāh (וַיִּלְכֹּד הַמַּלְכוּת). Lakhad (לָכַד) means "to seize," "capture," or "take possession of." This phrase indicates Saul's active assertion and establishment of his rule, not merely a passive reception. He actively seized and maintained the authority.
• over Israel: Defines the realm of Saul's authority, indicating his legitimate and recognized rule over the nation as a whole.
• and fought against: Hebrew: wayyilḥem (וַיִּלָּחֶם) from laḥam (לָחַם) "to fight." This was a core duty of the king in Israel—to lead the nation in war for protection and expansion. It highlights his primary practical role.
• all his enemies on every side: Emphasizes the comprehensive and persistent nature of the warfare Saul waged. It wasn't isolated skirmishes but a widespread effort to secure Israel's borders from multiple threats simultaneously.
• against Moab, against the Ammonites, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: This is a strategic list of Israel's main adversaries.
  • Moab, Ammon, Edom: Eastern and southeastern neighbors, often descendants of Lot and Esau, historically in conflict with Israel over territory and sovereignty. Their inclusion shows a wide scope of conflict beyond just the immediate western threat.
  • kings of Zobah: Aram-Zobah was an important Aramean state to Israel's north, indicating Saul's influence extended towards what would later become the northern borders under David.
  • Philistines: The primary and most pressing military threat to Israel at the time, dominating the western coastal plain. Their defeat was essential for Israel's survival.
• Wherever he turned: Signifies that Saul proactively sought out conflict with Israel's enemies and met them head-on, not waiting for invasions. It denotes his pervasive military action.
• he rescued Israel: Hebrew: wayyôšîaʿ Yiśrā’ēl (וַיּוֹשִׁיעַ יִשְׂרָאֵל). Yashaʿ (יָשַׁע) means "to save," "deliver," "give victory." This echoes the role of the Judges (e.g., Judg 3:9), portraying Saul as a continuation of this line of deliverers, albeit in a royal capacity. He fulfilled his purpose as a national deliverer.
• from the hands of those who plundered them: Hebrew: miyyad shosav (מִיַּד שֹׁסָיו). Shāsa (שָׁסָה) means "to plunder" or "spoil." This clarifies the nature of the enemies' aggression – not just political rivals, but those who sought to exploit and impoverish Israel, necessitating military protection.

1 Samuel 14 47 Bonus section

The specific enumeration of enemies highlights the geographical and geopolitical reality of Israel in Saul's time, constantly under threat. Saul's consistent engagement implies a prolonged period of military action rather than a single decisive campaign. While this verse highlights Saul's successes, the subsequent narrative reveals that his military prowess was not enough to maintain his kingdom due to his spiritual disobedience. This contrasts sharply with David's reign, where military conquest and establishing dominion over these same enemies are also prominent themes (e.g., 2 Sam 8), but are rooted in a heart that generally pursued God. This verse provides the baseline of royal expectation for a king of Israel to physically protect God's people, even if he eventually falls short spiritually.

1 Samuel 14 47 Commentary

1 Samuel 14:47 serves as an important summary of Saul's functional achievements as king. Despite the personal and spiritual failures detailed elsewhere (especially in chapters 13 and 15), this verse attests that Saul, at least for a significant period, capably fulfilled a key aspect of his kingly mandate: providing national security through military action. He proactively "took" the kingship, implying an active, not passive, leadership role, and his widespread engagement with enemies from all sides indicates a consistent effort to secure Israel's borders. The list of enemies highlights the diverse challenges Israel faced, with the Philistines being the most formidable. Saul's consistent "rescue" of Israel positioned him, for a time, as the very "savior" from the Philistine threat that God promised to raise up (1 Sam 9:16). This summary highlights a paradox: a divinely chosen, yet humanly flawed king who nevertheless brought genuine, if temporary, deliverance and order to Israel through military might. His ability to deliver Israel was ultimately by God's enablement, showcasing that even through imperfect vessels, God's purposes can be accomplished.