1 Samuel 14:37

_AND 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._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

36-46 If God turns away our prayer, we have reason to suspect it is for some sin harboured in our hearts, which we should find out, that we may put it away, and put it to death. We should always first suspect and examine ourselves; but an unhumbled heart suspects every other person, and looks every where but at home for the sinful cause of calamity. Jonathan was discovered to be the offender. Those most indulgent to their own sins are most severe upon others; those who most disregard God's authority, are most impatient when their own commands are slighted. Such as cast abroad curses, endanger themselves and their families. What do we observe in the whole of Saul's behaviour on this occasion, but an impetuous, proud, malignant, impious disposition? And do we not in every instance perceive that man, left to himself, betrays the depravity of his nature, and is enslaved to the basest tempers...

Verse 1 Samuel 14:37. _HE ANSWERED HIM NOT THAT DAY._] Why was this answer delayed? Surely Jonathan's eating the honey was no _sin_. This could not have excited God's displeasure. And yet the _lot_ found out Jonathan! But did this argue that he had incurred guilt in the sight of God? I answer: It did not; for Jonathan was delivered, by the authority of the people, from his father's rash curse; no propitiation is offered for his supposed transgression to induce God to pardon it; nor do we find any displeasure of God manifested on the occasion. See below....

ASKED COUNSEL - The technical phrase for inquiring of God by Urim and Thummim, and applied also to inquiry of other oracles....

EXPOSITION JONATHAN SMITES THE PHILISTINE GAR-BISON (1 Samuel 14:1). 1 SAMUEL 14:1 NOW IT CAME TO PASS UPON A DAY. Literally, "And there was a day, and Jonathan," etc.; or, as we should say, And it happened one day that Jonathan. The phrase means that Jonathan's brave feat took place not many days after the garrison had occupied the cliff, probably only two or three, but without definitely stating how many. HE TOLD NOT HIS FATHER. Not only because Saul would have forbidden so rash an enterprise, but because secrecy was essential to any chance of success: probably too the purpose came upon him as an inspiration from above....

AND SAUL ASKED COUNSEL OF GOD,.... He agreed to the motion of the high priest, and asked counsel by Urim and Thummim; the Targum is, as before, "inquired by the Word of the Lord:'' SHALL I GO DOWN AFTER THE PHILISTINES? pursue after them in their flight to their own country, which, lying to the sea, was a descent: WILT THOU DELIVER THEM INTO THE HAND OF ISRAEL? what remain of them, otherwise a victory over them was obtained: BUT HE ANSWERED HIM NOT THAT DAY; no answer was returned by Urim and Thummim, so that he was left in suspense whether he should pursue or no; the Targum is, "he received not his prayer that day;'' this was treating him in a righteous manner; since he would not stay for an answer from the Lord, 1 Samuel 14:19, the Lord now will not give him any; though the principal view

7. JONATHAN'S HEROIC DEED OF FAITH CHAPTER 14 _ 1. Jonathan's victory (1 Samuel 14:1)_ 2. Saul's adjuration and Jonathan's deed (1 Samuel 14:24) 3. Saul's first altar and unanswered inquiry (1 Samuel 14:33) 4. Jonathan condemned and saved (1 Samuel 14:38) 5. Saul's battle and success (1 Samuel 14:46) 6. Saul's family (1 Samuel 14:49) Jonathan, one of the most beautiful characters

The next episode strikingly illustrates the primitive religious faith and practice of Israel. Saul proposed to make a night-attack upon the Philistines, and asked the priest to obtain an oracle as to whether Yahweh would approve. The silence of the oracle showed that some sin had roused the Divine displeasure. Saul proceeded to discover the sinner by lot, and in the first instance the lot was to be cast between Israel generally on the one hand, and Saul and Jonathan on the other. And Saul said; O Yahweh, God of Israel, why hast thou not answered thy servant this day? If this iniquity be in me or in my son Jonathan, O Yahweh, God of Israel, give Urim; but if it be in thy people Israel give Thummim. And Jonathan and Saul were taken and the people escaped. A further casting of lots showed that Jonathan was the culprit. Saul sought to put him to death, but the people rescued him. There was n...

The consequence of Jonathan's transgression 36. _Let us draw near hither unto God_ Ahijah checks Saul's impulse, reminding him that it was necessary first to ascertain the will of God. Perhaps he felt that Saul's neglect to wait for God's answer in the morning (1 Samuel 14:19) had already borne evil fruit....

AND SAUL ASKED COUNSEL OF GOD— The people being ready to go down with Saul, the high-priest advised him first to take counsel of God; to which he readily consented. The high-priest, doubtless, had his reasons, as the event shews; for, in consequence of Jonathan's involuntary offence, no answer could be had that day from the divine oracle....