1 Samuel 14:45

_AND THE PEOPLE SAID UNTO SAUL, SHALL JONATHAN DIE, WHO HATH WROUGHT THIS GREAT SALVATION IN ISRAEL? GOD FORBID: AS THE LORD LIVETH, THERE SHALL NOT ONE HAIR OF HIS HEAD FALL TO THE GROUND; FOR HE HATH WROUGHT WITH GOD THIS DAY. SO THE PEOPLE RESCUED JONATHAN, THAT HE DIED NOT._ The people rescued Jonathan, that he died not. When Saul became aware of Jonathan's transgression in regard to the honey, albeit it was done in ignorance, and involved no guilt, he was, like Jephthah, about to put his son to death, in conformity with his vow. But the more enlightened conscience of the army prevented the tarnishing the glory of the day by the blood of the young hero, to whose faith and valour it was chiefly due....

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 14:45. _AND THE PEOPLE SAID_] "Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid! As the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground." Here was a righteous and impartial _jury_, who brought in a _verdict_ according to the _evidence_: No man should _die_ but for a _breach of_ _the law of God_; but Jonathan hath _not broken any law of God_; therefore Jonathan _should not die_. And because he _should_ not, therefore he _shall_ not. _HE HATH WROUGHT WITH GOD THIS DAY._] God has been commander-in-chief; Jonathan has acted under his directions. _SO THE PEOPLE RESCUED JONATHAN_] And God testified no displeasure; and perhaps he permitted all this that he might correct Saul's propensity to rashness and precipitancy.

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 THE PEOPLE SAID UNTO SAUL,.... Hearing such words, and filled with grief, pity, and sympathy for Jonathan, as Josephus k observes: SHALL JONATHAN DIE, WHO HATH WROUGHT THIS GREAT SALVATION IN ISRAEL? no, he shall not; what, such a man as he die, who, under God, has been the instrument of so great deliverance, who first began it himself with one man only with him, and has proceeded in it to the finishing of it? GOD FORBID: this shall not be so; they speak of it with the utmost abhorrence and detestation, as a shocking piece of cruelty and ingratitude, unheard of, and not to be paralleled: AS THE LORD LIVETH, THERE SHALL NOT ONE HAIR OF HIS HEAD FALL TO THE GROUND; as Saul swore he should die, they also swear he should not, expressing their firm resolution to stand by him, and preserve his life; and so far should it be from him to have his life taken away, that an hair of his head s...

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...

NOT ONE HAIR, &c. Figure of speech _Parcemia._ App-6. RESCUED. Hebrew pieta. redeemed. See note on Exodus 6:6 with Exodus 13:13. Perhaps. victim was offered in his stead....

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 THE PEOPLE SAID UNTO SAUL— Lowman, speaking of the authority of the congregation or general assembly of the people of Israel, observes, that "like the popular assemblies of other governments, they had some jurisdiction in criminal causes. When Saul had adjudged Israel not to eat any food till the evening, his own son Jonathan transgressed his order; and upon his confession, Saul his father, then king and general, determines to put him to death. _And Saul answered, God do so to me, and more also; for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan._ This sentence passed by Saul might appear to be without appeal, and that there was no authority to reverse it; however, _the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation for Israel? God forbid! As the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day: so the peop...