“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.”
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 of this verse, let’s explore the preceding verses.
In 1 Samuel 14, we find Saul and his army facing 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. As a result, panic and confusion spread among the Philistine camp, leading to an overall victory for Israel.
However, during the course of this battle, Saul had previously commanded his army:to refrain from eating until evening, vowing a curse upon anyone who broke the fast. Unaware of his father’s oath, Jonathan had tasted some honey during the battle, which violated Saul’s command.
Upon discovering the breach of his commandment, Saul declares an oath:as mentioned in 1 Samuel 14:39. Saul pronounces that even if the one responsible for breaking the fast is his son Jonathan, that person must surely die. Saul’s declaration illustrates the severity of his oath and the consequences he is willing to impose, even on his own family.
The latter part of the verse highlights an interesting response, or rather, the lack of response from the people:It states that there was not a man among all the people who answered Saul. This silence may indicate the hesitation or reluctance of the people to agree with Saul’s judgment. It suggests that they may have understood the disproportionate severity of Saul’s oath and its potential consequences for Jonathan.
It’s important to note that this verse does not provide a final resolution to the situation. To learn the outcome and the eventual fate of Jonathan, one must continue reading through the subsequent chapters of 1 Samuel.
