1 Samuel 14:39

For as the Lord liueth, which saueth Israel, though it bee in Ionathan my sonne, he shall surely die: But there was not a man among all the people that answered him. 1 Samuel 14:39 (KJV)

For,

as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But

there was not a man among all the people

that answered him. 1 Samuel 14:39 (KJV)

This verse is part of a larger narrative that describes a series of events involving Saul, the first king of Israel, and his son Jonathan. To understand the context, we look back to 1 Samuel 14, where Saul and his army are confronting the Philistines. Jonathan, Saul’s son, initiates a daring act of faith by single‑handedly attacking a Philistine garrison. Through this courageous act, Jonathan and his armor‑bearer miraculously defeat the Philistines, and panic spreads through the enemy camp, resulting in an overall victory for Israel.

During the battle Saul had previously commanded his troops to refrain from eating until evening, swearing a curse on anyone who broke the fast. Unaware of his father’s oath, Jonathan tasted some honey, thereby violating the command. When Saul discovers the breach, he pronounces an oath—recorded in 1 Samuel 14:38—stating that even if the offender is his own son Jonathan, the offender must surely die. Saul’s declaration underscores the severity of his oath and the willingness to impose the penalty on his own family.

The latter part of the verse records that there was not a man among all the people who answered Saul. This silence suggests hesitation or reluctance on the part of the people to endorse such a harsh judgment. It may indicate that they perceived the disproportionate severity of the oath and its potential consequences for Jonathan.

It is important to note that this verse does not provide a final resolution to the situation. To discover the outcome and the eventual fate of Jonathan, the reader must continue through the subsequent chapters of 1 Samuel.