Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.
Read it in contextJonathan Eats the Honey
Start reading at 1 Samuel 14:24 (1 Samuel 14:24 to 1 Samuel 14:36).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The establishment of kingship is followed by Saul's failures, and the LORD's rejection of his kingship prepares the choice of David.
14:24And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
14:25And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.
14:26And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.
14:27But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
14:28Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.
14:29Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
14:30How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?
14:31And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.
14:32And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.
14:33Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.
14:34And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.
14:35And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.
14:36And 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.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Tradition associates Samuel with the earlier material and Nathan and Gad with its continuation. Samuel dies during the narrative, so he did not write the complete account; the final compiler is unknown. Biblical references: 1 Samuel 25:1; 1 Chronicles 29:29. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Samuel 13:1–14:52): Saul, Jonathan, Samuel, and Israel's soldiers face the Philistines. The army is also affected by Saul's oath and the dispute concerning Jonathan. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israelite readers considering the rise of the monarchy and the transition from Saul to David. A more exact first readership cannot be established. Biblical references: 1 Samuel 8:4; 1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Samuel 31:6. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Jonathan Eats the Honey. Read 1 Samuel 14:24 through 1 Samuel 14:36 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? The establishment of kingship is followed by Saul's failures, and the LORD's rejection of his kingship prepares the choice of David. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The narrative spans Samuel's upbringing, Israel's request for a king, Saul's reign, and David's emergence before Saul's death. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? Events occur at Shiloh, among Israel's towns, in Philistine territory, and in places of David's flight. The chapter identifies the immediate setting. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Jonathan Eats the Honey (1 Samuel 14:24 to 1 Samuel 14:36).
Start reading at 1 Samuel 14:24. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Acts 13 connects Samuel, Saul, and David with the subsequent coming of Jesus from David's seed. David's anointing belongs to that historical line; it does not turn every conflict into a direct messianic prediction. See Acts 13:20, Acts 13:21, Acts 13:22, Acts 13:23. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Evaluate leadership by hearing and obeying God rather than appearance or initial success. David's restraint toward Saul can be considered with its narrated reasons rather than generalized into approval of wrongdoing by leaders. interpretation
Cited: 1 Samuel 14:24, 1 Samuel 14:36, Acts 13:20, Acts 13:21, Acts 13:22, Acts 13:23
Who wrote it, and how we know
Samuel, with Nathan and Gad (traditional)From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. Chronicles refers to written records of Samuel, Nathan, and Gad. 1 Chronicles 29:29
Early traditionJewish tradition credits Samuel, with Nathan and Gad continuing after his death.
What is debatedSamuel dies partway through the account, so he cannot have written all of it. The final form is later.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 1 Samuel 14
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Samuel follows the transition from the judges to kingship and the rise of David during Saul's reign. It records Samuel's death before the book ends; attributing every line to Samuel would therefore exceed the narrative's evidence. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The establishment of kingship is followed by Saul's failures, and the LORD's rejection of his kingship prepares the choice of David.
Connection to the wholeThe establishment of kingship is followed by Saul's failures, and the LORD's rejection of his kingship prepares the choice of David.
Connection to the wholeThe establishment of kingship is followed by Saul's failures, and the LORD's rejection of his kingship prepares the choice of David.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The establishment of kingship is followed by Saul's failures, and the LORD's rejection of his kingship prepares the choice of David.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 1 Samuel
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Samuel follows the transition from the judges to kingship and the rise of David during Saul's reign. It records Samuel's death before the book ends; attributing every line to Samuel would therefore exceed the narrative's evidence.
Connection to the wholeSamuel's upbringing and calling stand beside the failures of Eli's house and the ark narrative, leading to Israel's return to the LORD.
Connection to the wholeThe establishment of kingship is followed by Saul's failures, and the LORD's rejection of his kingship prepares the choice of David.