1 Samuel 14:36-46

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 no more fighting.

1 Samuel 14:41. The rendering of this verse is from the text as reconstructed in SBOT on the basis of the LXX. Urim and Thummim were the sacred lots, perhaps stones kept in the ephod. The Jewish scholars who added the vowels to the text, interpreted the words as Lights and Perfection, but their meaning is uncertain (pp. 100f., Exodus 28:30 *).

1 Samuel 14:42. In the LXX, the people make an unsuccessful attempt to prevent the lot being cast between the king and his son.

1 Samuel 14:43. and, lo, I must die: rather, Here I am, let me die, i.e. (Cent.B) I am ready to die.

1 Samuel 14:45. wrought this great salvation: rather, won this great victory.