1 Samuel 14 48

1 Samuel 14:48 kjv

And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.

1 Samuel 14:48 nkjv

And he gathered an army and attacked the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hands of those who plundered them.

1 Samuel 14:48 niv

He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of those who had plundered them.

1 Samuel 14:48 esv

And he did valiantly and struck the Amalekites and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them.

1 Samuel 14:48 nlt

He performed great deeds and conquered the Amalekites, saving Israel from all those who had plundered them.

1 Samuel 14 verses

1 Samuel 14 48 Meaning

1 Samuel 14:48 provides a concise summary of King Saul's early military achievements. It establishes his role as a strong, active monarch who successfully took command of Israel and continuously waged war against its surrounding adversaries, including Moab, Ammon, Edom, Zobah, and the Philistines. The verse emphasizes his pervasive and effective campaigns, stating that he was victorious wherever he engaged them.

1 Samuel 14 48 Context

1 Samuel 14:48 serves as a programmatic summary within the narrative of Saul's reign, occurring directly after the significant battle where Jonathan defeated the Philistines at Michmash. This victory marked a crucial turning point, affirming Saul's nascent kingship and Israel's confidence in his leadership. The verse establishes Saul as the military leader he was initially appointed to be (1 Sam 9:16), one who brings a measure of security and stability to Israel by confronting its long-standing regional enemies. It contrasts with the subsequent narrative (1 Sam 15), where Saul's disobedience regarding the Amalekites leads to God's rejection of his kingship, setting the stage for David's rise. Thus, this verse highlights the successful beginning of his military career before the tragic turn brought about by his spiritual failings. Historically, Israel was surrounded by hostile neighbors, making the king's primary role as a defender of the nation paramount.

1 Samuel 14 48 Word analysis

• So Saul: "Saul" (שָׁאוּל, Sha'ul) means "asked (of God)." His name reflects the people's desire for a king (1 Sam 8:5) and God's granting of their request. This phrase connects the summary to the actions attributed to the king.
• took the kingship: (וַתִּלְכֹּד הַמְּלֻכָה, vattilkōd hamməlukhah) The Hebrew implies "he laid hold of" or "seized/established the kingship." This highlights Saul's active assertion of royal authority and effective rule, consolidating his power beyond just a figurehead. It signifies his grasp and firm establishment of the monarchical office.
• over Israel: Signifies his domain and responsibility. His rule was recognized over the tribes of Israel, a unified entity under his command.
• and fought against: (וַיִּלָּחֶם, vayyilakhem) This emphasizes the consistent and aggressive nature of his military endeavors. Warfare was central to his reign and was expected of the early Israelite kings.
• all his enemies on every side: (בְּכָל־אֹיְבָיו סָבִיב סָבִיב, bəḵāl-ʾōyvāv saviv saviv) The repetition of saviv ("around, surrounding") creates a sense of comprehensiveness and pervasiveness. It indicates that no flank was ignored, reflecting a widespread and constant campaign, rather than isolated skirmishes.
• against Moab, against the Ammonites, against Edom, against Zobah, and against the Philistines: These specific nations represent the most significant historical adversaries of Israel.
  • Moab: Located east of the Dead Sea, perennial enemies, known for their oppression (Jdg 3).
  • Ammonites: Northeast of the Dead Sea, prominent enemies whom Saul first delivered Israel from (1 Sam 11).
  • Edom: Southeast of the Dead Sea, descendants of Esau, but consistently hostile (Num 20).
  • Zobah: An Aramean kingdom north of Damascus, representing a significant northern frontier opponent. This detail shows Saul's reach extended surprisingly far north, hinting at later, even more extensive conquests under David (2 Sam 8).
  • Philistines: The primary and most formidable western enemies along the coastal plain, their dominance necessitated a king (1 Sam 8:20). Their repeated mention highlights their continued threat.
• and wherever he turned, he routed them: (וּבַאֲשֶׁר יִפְנֶה יַרְשִׁיעַ, uva'ăšer yifne yarshee'a). This phrase underscores the consistent effectiveness of Saul's campaigns.
  • "wherever he turned" (וּבַאֲשֶׁר יִפְנֶה, uva'ăšer yifne): Expresses a universal and immediate success in any direction of conflict.
  • "he routed them" (יַרְשִׁיעַ, yarshee'a): The Hebrew verb used here, yarshee'a, is from the root רָשַׁע (rasha), which typically means "to be wicked," "to condemn," or "to declare guilty." While an unusual word for military routing, in this context, it is widely understood by scholars and translations to mean that he "put them to the rout," "defeated them," or "condemned them to defeat." This unusual usage implies a decisive victory where the enemies were clearly overcome, essentially declared "guilty" or "wrong" in the conflict, and thus subject to defeat. Some scholars suggest a scribal variation of a word meaning "to smite" (e.g., yaka from nakah), but the Masoretic text stands. Its meaning points to Saul's decisive triumph over his foes.

1 Samuel 14 48 Bonus section

This verse implicitly addresses the reason for Israel's initial request for a king: to "fight our battles" (1 Sam 8:20). Saul, at this point in his reign, largely lived up to that expectation. The detail about Zobah indicates a broader reach of Saul's campaigns than often assumed, extending beyond just immediate borders. However, it's also worth noting that David, Saul's successor, would later bring about a far more comprehensive and permanent subjection of many of these same enemies (2 Sam 8), suggesting Saul's victories were significant but perhaps not fully conclusive or establishing a complete peace throughout the land. This makes Saul a partial deliverer, foreshadowing the complete and perfect deliverance that only the King from the line of David, the Messiah, could ultimately provide over all enemies, both physical and spiritual.

1 Samuel 14 48 Commentary

1 Samuel 14:48 serves as a retrospective, summary assessment of Saul's initial tenure as king. It paints a picture of a monarch who energetically and effectively fulfilled one of the primary duties of his office: protecting Israel from its formidable neighbors. He wasn't just a figurehead; he actively consolidated royal power ("took the kingship") and launched wide-ranging military operations against major threats, achieving consistent victories ("on every side," "wherever he turned, he routed them"). This success demonstrated God's blessing on Israel's monarchy in its early days, even if the king himself was not fully obedient. The listing of specific enemies – from the Philistines, Israel's immediate and strongest threat, to the more distant Arameans of Zobah – highlights the scope of his reach and the scale of the challenges he addressed. Despite his personal failings that would later lead to his rejection, this verse acknowledges a period where Saul indeed delivered Israel militarily, aligning with the initial purpose for which he was anointed. It reminds us that God can use even imperfect human leaders to accomplish His purposes, though their long-term effectiveness and divine approval are always contingent upon their obedience to His word. This initial burst of military achievement provides a necessary backdrop to understand the gravity of Saul's later spiritual failures that overshadowed his strategic prowess.