Bible Chapter Summary
1 Samuel 14 Summary
Jonathan and David's Deliverance
Jonathan, without telling his father Saul, goes with his armourbearer to attack a Philistine garrison. They defeat about twenty men in the first slaughter, which causes trembling in the Philistine host and confusion in their ranks. Saul, seeing the tumult, musters his men and finds Israel fighting against the Philistines. The battle becomes a great victory as Hebrew defectors and hiding Israelites join the fight. However, Saul had cursed anyone eating food during battle. Jonathan, unaware of this oath, eats honey and his eyes are enlightened. When Saul learns of this, he vows Jonathan must die, but the people rescue Jonathan because of his great deliverance.
Key themes
Key verses
1 Samuel 14:6
“And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.”
1 Samuel 14:45
“And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.”
1 Samuel 14:47-48
“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.”
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