Saul's Rash Oath and Its Consequences
1 Samuel 14:15-23
1 S.14.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותהי: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- חרדה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- במחנה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשדה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובכל: CONJ+PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- המצב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והמשחית: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- חרדו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- גם: ADV
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- ותרגז: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ותהי: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לחרדת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Judges 7:7-22 (thematic): God causes panic and confusion in the enemy camp (Gideon’s victory): the enemy turns on itself and flees—theme of divine rout of foes parallels the terror in 1 Sam 14:15.
- Exodus 14:24 (verbal): ‘The LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians... and troubled the host of the Egyptians’—divine intervention produces confusion and terror in an enemy force, language and motif echo 1 Sam 14:15.
- Joshua 10:10-11 (thematic): The LORD discomfits the Amorite kings and hurls great stones so they are routed; like 1 Sam 14:15 this depicts God directly causing panic and defeat in the enemy ranks.
- Psalm 18:7-8 (cf. 2 Sam 22:8) (verbal): Poetic imagery of the earth trembling and terror at God’s presence (‘the earth shook and trembled’) parallels the earthquake/terror language of 1 Sam 14:15 describing a divinely wrought panic.
- 2 Chronicles 20:22-23 (thematic): When the people begin to praise, the LORD sets ambushes and the enemy destroys itself—another account of God producing panic and rout in the foe, thematically parallel to 1 Sam 14:15.
Alternative generated candidates
- Panic swept through the camp in the field, and among all the people the garrison and the raiders trembled also; the earth quaked, and there was a dread of God.
- There was panic in the camp in the field, and among all the troops; the garrison and the raiders trembled as well. The earth quaked, and it became a terror sent by God.
1 S.14.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הצפים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לשאול: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- בגבעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- והנה: ADV
- ההמון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- נמוג: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- והלם: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judges 7:22 (verbal): Gideon’s victory where fear seizes the enemy and “the sword of the LORD was against every man of the host; and they fled,” with the enemy in confusion and turning on one another—closely parallels the image of the hostile force melting away and striking each other.
- 2 Chronicles 20:22-23 (thematic): In Jehoshaphat’s battle the opposing armies are thrown into confusion and begin to destroy one another; the theme of divine-induced panic and fratricidal rout matches 1 Sam 14:16.
- Exodus 14:24-25 (structural): At the Red Sea the LORD looks down and troubles the Egyptian host, causing their chariot drivers to panic and the army to be discomfited—a structural precedent for divine intervention producing enemy confusion and flight.
- Joshua 10:10-11 (thematic): The Amorite kings’ forces are routed before Israel (and hailstones are used to scatter them), depicting a sudden collapse and pursued flight similar to the Philistine panic and mutual slaughter in 1 Sam 14:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the sentries at the Philistine post in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold—the host had melted away and fled.
- The lookouts toward Saul on the hill of Benjamin saw—and behold, the host had melted away; they had turned and fled.
1 S.14.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעם: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- פקדו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- נא: PART
- וראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מעמנו: PREP,1,pl
- ויפקדו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- והנה: ADV
- אין: PART,neg
- יונתן: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ונשא: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 14:6–14 (structural): Immediate narrative context: this passage recounts Jonathan’s stealthy assault and explains why he and his armor‑bearer are absent when Saul orders the roll call.
- Judges 7:2–8 (thematic): A leader inspects or reduces his force and a small band achieves victory; parallels the motif of a few warriors turning the tide in battle.
- 1 Samuel 13:13–14 (thematic): Saul’s defective leadership is highlighted earlier in the book, setting a contrast with Jonathan’s initiative and the shifting leadership dynamics among Israel’s warriors.
- 2 Samuel 1:25–27 (thematic): David’s lament for Jonathan later celebrates Jonathan’s bravery and significance, thematically linking back to moments when Jonathan’s presence or absence determined the course of events.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul said to the men who were with him, “Summon and see who has gone from us.” They summoned, and behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there.
- Saul said to the men with him, “Search, please, and see who has gone from us.” They searched, and behold—Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there.
1 S.14.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאחיה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
- הגישה: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 4:3-4 (thematic): Israel brings the ark into battle/encampment to secure divine presence and victory — parallels Saul’s calling for the ark to be brought because it was with the people in the crisis.
- Joshua 6:6-7 (structural): Priests bear the ark before the people at a military action (Jericho); similar role of the ark accompanying Israel into conflict and serving as focal point for God’s presence.
- 1 Chronicles 13:3-4 (verbal): “Let us bring again the ark of our God” echoes the language and intent of summoning the ark to be brought among the people, a close verbal and thematic parallel to Saul’s command.
- 2 Samuel 6:2-11 (thematic): Narrative of bringing the ark among the people (and the consequences, e.g., Uzzah) emphasizes the ark’s presence with Israel and the dangers/importance of its movement — parallels the ark’s role in 1 Sam 14.
- Numbers 10:33-36 (allusion): Description of the ark leading Israel in the wilderness and signaling God’s presence; thematically related to the ark’s function as the tangible sign of God’s presence in moments of movement and battle.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul said to his men, “Bring the ark of God near”—for the ark of God was with Israel that day.
- Saul said to Ahijah the priest, “Bring near the ark of God,” for the ark of God was there that day with the Israelites.
1 S.14.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וההמון: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- במחנה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הלוך: VERB,qal,part,3,m,sg
- ורב: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אסף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ידך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 7:9-10 (structural): Samuel offers sacrifice and the LORD intervenes, causing panic among the Philistines—parallels the sequence here of a cultic action tied to sudden confusion in the enemy camp.
- Judges 7:19-22 (thematic): Gideon’s night attack leads to noise and confusion in the Midianite camp so that they turn on one another—a close thematic parallel of divine-induced panic in an enemy camp.
- Exodus 14:24-25 (thematic): God troubles the Egyptian army at the sea, producing disarray and defeat—another instance of the LORD sowing confusion among an opposing host.
- 2 Chronicles 20:22-23 (thematic): At Jehoshaphat’s prayer the LORD sets ambushes against Israel’s enemies and they destroy one another—similar motif of divine action causing panic and rout in the enemy camp.
Alternative generated candidates
- As Saul was speaking to the priest, the tumult in the Philistine camp increased and grew louder; Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”
- While Saul was speaking to the priest, the commotion in the Philistine camp rose and increased; and Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” And the priest withdrew his hand.
1 S.14.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויזעק: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עד: PREP
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והנה: ADV
- היתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברעהו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- מהומה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- מאד: ADV
Parallels
- Judges 7:22 (verbal): Reports the LORD causing the enemy to turn their swords against one another—'the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow'—a near-verbal parallel to the sudden confusion and fratricidal fighting in 1 Sam 14:20.
- 2 Chronicles 20:22-23 (verbal): Describes the Lord setting ambushes so that the invading armies 'helped to destroy one another,' thematically and verbally echoing the mutual slaughter and great panic in 1 Sam 14:20.
- 1 Samuel 14:13-15 (structural): Immediate narrative context: Jonathan’s surprise attack induces panic in the Philistine camp, leading directly to the confusion and 'sword of each against his neighbor' described in v.20.
- Joshua 8:20-21 (thematic): An ambush causes the men of Ai to be struck and routed as they are attacked from multiple directions—a comparable scene of battlefield surprise, rout, and internal confusion.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul and all the people who were with him cried out; they came to the fight, and behold, each man’s sword was against his companion—there was a very great confusion.
- Then Saul and all the people with him cried out; they went into the battle, and behold—each man’s sword was against his comrade; there was a very great tumult.
1 S.14.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והעברים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לפלשתים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,def
- כאתמול: PREP+ADV
- שלשום: ADV
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עלו: PREP+3ms_suff
- עמם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- במחנה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סביב: ADV
- וגם: CONJ
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- להיות: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- עם: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עם: PREP
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויונתן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 29:4-5 (verbal): Philistine commanders ask 'What are these Hebrews doing here?' about Israelites in the Philistine host—closely parallels the observation that Hebrews were among the Philistines in the camp.
- 1 Samuel 13:19-22 (structural): Describes Philistine dominance that left Israel lacking smiths and dependent on Philistines—background context for Israelites' presence with Philistine forces and subservience to them.
- Judges 3:12-14 (thematic): Israel is delivered into the hand of a foreign king and serves him for years; thematically similar insofar as Israelites come to be aligned with or under the power of foreign enemies.
- Psalm 106:35-36 (thematic): Speaks of Israel 'joining' themselves to the nations and serving their idols—a wider theological parallel about Israelites allying with or assimilating into foreign peoples.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Hebrews who had been with the Philistines—those who had gone up with them and encamped around—turned and were as the men of Israel who were with Saul and Jonathan.
- The Hebrews who had been with the Philistines, those who had gone in the camp with the host, even they joined with Israel, with the men of Saul and Jonathan.
1 S.14.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המתחבאים: VERB,hithpael,ptc,3,m,pl
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- נסו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- וידבקו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- גם: ADV
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- אחריהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- במלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 7:10 (thematic): The Philistines panic after divine intervention and the Israelites pursue them—similar motif of a routed enemy giving rise to an immediate pursuit by Israel.
- Judges 7:21-22 (thematic): Gideon’s surprise attack causes the enemy to flee and the Israelites to pursue—parallels the sudden rout and follow-up pursuit in Samuel.
- 2 Samuel 5:20-21 (thematic): David defeats the Philistines, they flee before him, and he pursues—another episode of Philistine rout followed by Israelite pursuit.
- Joshua 10:11-12 (thematic): After the enemy is thrown into confusion (by divine means), Israel pursues the fleeing forces—same structural pattern of rout and pursuit in battle.
Alternative generated candidates
- All the men of Israel who had been hiding on Mount Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, and they pursued them in the battle.
- And all the men of Israel who were hiding on Mount Ephraim heard that the Philistines had fled; they too pursued them in the fighting.
1 S.14.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויושע: CONJ+VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והמלחמה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,def
- עברה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- און: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 14:13-14 (verbal): Both passages present Yahweh as the active deliverer in battle—'the LORD will fight/save for you'—emphasizing divine intervention as the cause of Israel's salvation.
- 1 Samuel 7:10 (thematic): Earlier Samuel-era rescue where the LORD intervenes in a military crisis and routs Israel's enemies; parallels the motif of Yahweh delivering Israel in time of battle.
- Judges 7:22 (thematic): Gideon's victory is portrayed as the LORD causing the enemy to turn on itself and flee—similar theme of divine action producing Israel's victory and the battle being routed.
- 1 Samuel 17:47 (verbal): David declares that the battle belongs to the LORD and that God gives victory—language and theology closely parallel the claim that 'the LORD saved Israel'.
- 2 Samuel 22:47 (cf. Psalm 18:46-47) (verbal): Uses the language of divine salvation and deliverance ('the rock of my salvation'); echoes the theological assertion that God is Israel's savior in war.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD delivered Israel that day; the battle passed beyond Beth Aven.
- And the LORD saved Israel on that day; the battle passed beyond Beth-aven.
There was terror in the camp in the field, and among all the people—the garrison and the raiders— they trembled as well; the earth quaked, and there was dread of God.
The lookouts at Saul's post in Gibeah of Benjamin saw; and behold, the multitude melted away, and they fled, striking one another.
Saul said to the men with him, “Count and see who has gone from us.” They counted, and behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there.
Saul said to his attendants, “Bring the ark of God near,” for the ark of God was with Israel that day. And it came about, while Saul was speaking to the priest, that the hosts in the Philistine camp began to melt away and there was a very great confusion. Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”
Then Saul and all the people who were with him cried out and went down into the battle; and behold, swords were turned against one another—there was a very great tumult. And the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines, as in former days—those who had gone up with them into the camp—now also turned and were with Israel, with Saul and Jonathan.
All the men of Israel who had been hiding on Mount Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing; and they too pursued them in the battle. And the LORD saved Israel that day; and the fighting passed beyond Beth-aven.