1 Samuel 14:36-46
The People Rescue Jonathan
Read the passage
36And Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until dawn, leaving no man alive!” “Do what seems good to you,” the troops replied. But the priest said, “We must consult God here.”
37So Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You give them into the hand of Israel?” But God did not answer him that day.
38Therefore Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the troops, and let us investigate how this sin has occurred today.
39As surely as the LORD who saves Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan, he must die!” But not one of the troops said a word.
40Then Saul said to all Israel, “You stand on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will stand on the other side.” “Do what seems good to you,” the troops replied.
41So Saul said to the LORD, the God of Israel, “Why have You not answered Your servant this day? If the fault is with me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim, but if the fault is with the men of Israel, respond with Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were selected, but the people were cleared of the charge.
42Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was selected.
43“Tell me what you have done,” Saul commanded him. So Jonathan told him, “I only tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. And now I must die?”
44And Saul declared, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if you, Jonathan, do not surely die!”
45But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die—he who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? Never! As surely as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for with God’s help he has accomplished this today.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.
46Then Saul gave up his pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own land.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Saul proposes pursuing the Philistines through the night, but the priest urges him to consult God first. Saul asks whether to attack and whether God will give victory. He receives no answer that day.
Saul decides to investigate sin among the troops and swears that the offender must die, even if it is Jonathan. He places himself and his son on one side and the people on the other. The selection falls on Saul and Jonathan, then on Jonathan alone.
Jonathan explains that he tasted a little honey. The earlier account has told us he did not hear his father's oath. Saul nevertheless declares that his son must die. The selection has identified who ate; Saul insists that his death sentence must follow.
The people refuse. Jonathan has accomplished a great deliverance with God's help, they say, and they swear that not a hair of his head will fall. They rescue him from death. Saul ends the pursuit, and the Philistines return home.
A command meant to press the attack has nearly cost Israel the man who helped bring its victory. The people honor the LORD who saved them by refusing to let the king's rash oath end Jonathan's life.
Questions
1 Why does Saul consult God before the proposed night attack?
AnswerThe priest urges consultation when Saul proposes the pursuit. Saul asks whether to attack and whether God will give victory, but receives no answer that day.
2 Who is selected when Saul investigates the offense?
AnswerFirst Saul and Jonathan are selected together, then Jonathan alone. Jonathan acknowledges eating a little honey; Saul says he must die.
3 How do the people respond to Saul’s death sentence?
AnswerThey point to the deliverance Jonathan accomplished with God’s help, swear to protect him, and rescue him from death.
4 What should happen when a rule threatens an unjust result?
AnswerHear the facts, protect the person at risk, and be willing to correct the decision. Keeping up an appearance of consistency is not more important than a person’s life.
What This Means for Us
The people show courage by speaking when the king's promise threatens Jonathan's life. Respect for authority does not require agreement with every command, especially when the command is unjust or based on incomplete information.
Saul's failure is not only that he made a bad oath. He allows the oath to control him after its damage becomes clear. A wise leader can stop, listen, and change course.
Ask where pride is making it hard to admit that a decision needs to be reversed. Choose truth over the appearance of consistency.
Prayer
God of justice, give us courage to protect people from harmful decisions and humility to change course when we are wrong. Make our household truthful, fair, and willing to listen. Amen.
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