Thematic Bible

Themes in 1 Samuel 14

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Themes in 1 Samuel 14

1 Samuel 14:1 (show verse)

That same day Saul’s son Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, “Come on, let’s cross over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” However, he did not tell his father.

military Arms » Part of, borne by armor-bearers
Garrison » A military camp
Jonathan » Son of saul
Jonathan » Son of saul » Victory of, over the philistines at michmash
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Battle » Jonathan

1 Samuel 14:2 (show verse)

Saul was staying under the pomegranate tree in Migron on the outskirts of Gibeah.

The troops with him numbered about 600.

natural Fruit » Varieties of » Pomegranates
Jonathan » Son of saul » Victory of, over the philistines at michmash
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Migron » Saul encamps near, under a pomegranate tree
Philistines » Battle » Jonathan
Pomegranate » Abounded in the land of canaan
Pomegranate-trees » The jews » Often dwelt under shade of
saul » King of israel » Lives at gibeah of saul
Trees » Varieties » Pomegranate

Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod, was also there. He was the son of Ahitub, the brother of Ichabod son of Phinehas, son of Eli the Lord’s priest at Shiloh. But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left.

Ahiah » Grandson of phinehas
Ahijah » A priest in shiloh, probably identical with ahimelech, mentioned in » Was priest in saul's reign
Ahitub » High priest, father of ahiah
the Ephod » Worn » High priest » The high priest
I-chabod » Son of phinehas, and grandson of eli
Jonathan » Son of saul » Victory of, over the philistines at michmash
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Battle » Jonathan

1 Samuel 14:4 (show verse)

There were sharp columns of rock on both sides of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine garrison. One was named Bozez and the other Seneh;

Bozez » A rock near gibeah
Jonathan » Son of saul » Victory of, over the philistines at michmash
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Battle » Jonathan
Rocks » Mentioned in scripture » Bozez
Rocks » Mentioned in scripture » Seneh
Rocks » Often sharp-pointed and craggy
Seneh » A rock protecting the garrison of the philistines at michmash

1 Samuel 14:5 (show verse)

one stood to the north in front of Michmash and the other to the south in front of Geba.

Jonathan » Son of saul » Victory of, over the philistines at michmash
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Battle » Jonathan

1 Samuel 14:6 (show verse)

Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, “Come on, let’s cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will help us. Nothing can keep the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”

Ancient heroes » Battle of Life » Jonathan
Armor-bearer » Of jonathan
Circumcision » The jews » Despised as unclean those not of the
Courage » Examples of » Jonathan
Example » Inspiration of example » Jonathan
Faith » Example of victorious » Jonathan
Faith » Instances of » Jonathan, in stricking down the philistines
Gentiles » Called » Uncircumcised
Inspiration of example » Jonathan
Jews, the » Often distinguished in war
Jonathan » The generous friend, characteristics of » Heroic faith
Jonathan » Son of saul » Victory of, over the philistines at michmash
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Battle » Jonathan
Power » Of God » Can save by many or by few
God, Power of » Can save by many or by few

1 Samuel 14:7 (show verse)

His armor-bearer responded, “Do what is in your heart. You choose. I’m right here with you whatever you decide.”

Armor-bearer » Of jonathan
Example » Inspiration of example » Jonathan
Inspiration of example » Jonathan
Jews, the » Often distinguished in war
Jonathan » The generous friend, characteristics of » Undaunted courage
Jonathan » Son of saul » Victory of, over the philistines at michmash
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Battle » Jonathan
Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of jonathan

1 Samuel 14:8 (show verse)

“All right,” Jonathan replied, “we’ll cross over to the men and then let them see us.

Jews, the » Often distinguished in war
Jonathan » The generous friend, characteristics of » Undaunted courage
Jonathan » Son of saul » Victory of, over the philistines at michmash
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Battle » Jonathan
Symbols and similitudes » Invitation to approach

1 Samuel 14:9 (show verse)

If they say, ‘Wait until we reach you,’ then we will stay where we are and not go up to them.

1 Samuel 14:10 (show verse)

But if they say, ‘Come on up,’ then we’ll go up, because the Lord has handed them over to us—that will be our sign.”

1 Samuel 14:11 (show verse)

They let themselves be seen by the Philistine garrison, and the Philistines said, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they’ve been hiding!”

Caves » Were used as » Places of concealment
Israel » Etc
Jews, the » Often distinguished in war
Jonathan » The generous friend, characteristics of » Undaunted courage
Jonathan » Son of saul » Victory of, over the philistines at michmash
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Battle » Jonathan
Symbols and similitudes » Invitation to approach

1 Samuel 14:12 (show verse)

The men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armor-bearer. “Come on up, and we’ll teach you a lesson!” they said.

“Follow me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the Lord has handed them over to Israel.”

Armor-bearer » Of jonathan
Jews, the » Often distinguished in war
Jonathan » The generous friend, characteristics of » Undaunted courage
Jonathan » Son of saul » Victory of, over the philistines at michmash
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Battle » Jonathan
Symbols and similitudes » Invitation to approach

1 Samuel 14:13 (show verse)

Jonathan climbed up using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. Jonathan cut them down, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off.

1 Samuel 14:14 (show verse)

In that first assault Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about 20 men in a half-acre field.

Bullock (ox) » Uses of » For plowing
Jonathan » Son of saul » Victory of, over the philistines at michmash
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Battle » Jonathan
Plowing » Performed » With oxen

1 Samuel 14:15 (show verse)

Terror spread through the Philistine camp and the open fields to all the troops. Even the garrison and the raiding parties were terrified. The earth shook, and terror spread from God.

Armies » Often destroyed by » Themselves through divine intervention
Armies » March in ranks » Among the philistines
Deliverance » Of israel
Earthquakes » Mentioned in scripture » In strongholds of philistines
Earthquakes » Instances of » When jonathan and his armor-bearer attacked the garrison at gibeah
unholy Fear » Exemplified » Philistines
Jonathan » Son of saul » Victory of, over the philistines at michmash
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Panic » From God
Philistines » Miraculously discomfited

1 Samuel 14:16 (show verse)

When Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, they saw the panicking troops scattering in every direction.

Armies » Often destroyed by » Themselves through divine intervention
Armies » March in ranks » Among the philistines
Jonathan » Son of saul » Victory of, over the philistines at michmash
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Panic » From God
Philistines » Miraculously discomfited

1 Samuel 14:17 (show verse)

So Saul said to the troops with him, “Call the roll and determine who has left us.” They called the roll and saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were gone.

Armies » March in ranks » Check roll-call
Armies » March in ranks » Among the philistines
Armor-bearer » Of jonathan
Jonathan » Son of saul » Victory of, over the philistines at michmash
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Muster » Of troops
Panic » From God
Philistines » Miraculously discomfited

1 Samuel 14:18 (show verse)

Saul told Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God,” for it was with the Israelites at that time.

Ahiah » Grandson of phinehas
Ahijah » A priest in shiloh, probably identical with ahimelech, mentioned in » Was priest in saul's reign
Ark » In the tabernacle. Called the ark » Of God
Armies » March in ranks » Among the philistines
Jonathan » Son of saul » Victory of, over the philistines at michmash
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Panic » From God
Philistines » Miraculously discomfited

1 Samuel 14:19 (show verse)

While Saul spoke to the priest, the panic in the Philistine camp increased in intensity. So Saul said to the priest, “Stop what you’re doing.”

Armies » March in ranks » Religious ceremonies attending » Seeking counsel from God before battle
Armies » March in ranks » Among the philistines
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Panic » From God
Philistines » Miraculously discomfited

1 Samuel 14:20 (show verse)

Saul and all the troops with him assembled and marched to the battle, and there, the Philistines were fighting against each other in great confusion!

Armies » March in ranks » Soldiers destroy each other to escape captivity
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Panic » From God
Philistines » Miraculously discomfited

1 Samuel 14:21 (show verse)

There were Hebrews from the area who had gone earlier into the camp to join the Philistines, but even they joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.

Israel » Etc
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Miraculously discomfited

1 Samuel 14:22 (show verse)

When all the Israelite men who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined Saul and Jonathan in the battle.

Ephraim » Mount of » A place of hiding for israelites
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Miraculously discomfited
War » Bloody

1 Samuel 14:23 (show verse)

So the Lord saved Israel that day.

The battle extended beyond Beth-aven,

Beth-aven » A place on the mountains of benjamin
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Miraculously discomfited

1 Samuel 14:24 (show verse)

and the men of Israel were worn out that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath: “The man who eats food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies is cursed.” So none of the troops tasted any food.

the Armies of israel » Strict discipline observed in
Jonathan » Son of saul » Under saul's curse pronounced against anyone who might take food before saul was avenged of his enemies
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Rashness » Examples of

1 Samuel 14:25 (show verse)

Everyone went into the forest, and there was honey on the ground.

the Armies of israel » Strict discipline observed in
Forests » Abounded with wild honey
Honey » Was eaten » Plain
Honey » Found in » Woods
Honey » Found upon the ground
Jonathan » Son of saul » Under saul's curse pronounced against anyone who might take food before saul was avenged of his enemies
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 14:26 (show verse)

When the troops entered the forest, they saw the flow of honey, but none of them ate any of it because they feared the oath.

the Armies of israel » Strict discipline observed in
Forests » Abounded with wild honey
Honey » Was eaten » Plain
Honey » Found in » Woods
Jonathan » Son of saul » Under saul's curse pronounced against anyone who might take food before saul was avenged of his enemies
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 14:27 (show verse)

However, Jonathan had not heard his father make the troops swear the oath. He reached out with the end of the staff he was carrying and dipped it into the honeycomb. When he ate the honey, he had renewed energy.

the Armies of israel » Strict discipline observed in
Jonathan » Son of saul
Jonathan » Son of saul » Under saul's curse pronounced against anyone who might take food before saul was avenged of his enemies
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Oaths » Instances of rash, &c » saul

1 Samuel 14:28 (show verse)

Then, one of the troops said, “Your father made the troops solemnly swear, ‘The man who eats food today is cursed,’ and the troops are exhausted.”

1 Samuel 14:29 (show verse)

Jonathan replied, “My father has brought trouble to the land. Just look at how I have renewed energy because I tasted a little honey.

the Armies of israel » Strict discipline observed in
Honey » Was eaten » Plain
Jonathan » Son of saul » Under saul's curse pronounced against anyone who might take food before saul was avenged of his enemies
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 14:30 (show verse)

How much better if the troops had eaten freely today from the plunder they took from their enemies! Then the slaughter of the Philistines would have been much greater.”

1 Samuel 14:31 (show verse)

The Israelites struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash all the way to Aijalon. Since the Israelites were completely exhausted,

Ajalon » A city » A city of dan » Assigned to the levites. A city of refuge
the Armies of israel » Strict discipline observed in
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Michmash » Philistines killed at, by jonathan

1 Samuel 14:32 (show verse)

they rushed to the plunder, took sheep, cattle, and calves, slaughtered them on the ground, and ate meat with the blood still in it.

the Armies of israel » Strict discipline observed in
Blood » The jews often guilty of eating
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Sheep » Were frequently » Taken in great numbers in war

1 Samuel 14:33 (show verse)

Some reported to Saul: “Look, the troops are sinning against the Lord by eating meat with the blood still in it.”

Saul said, “You have been unfaithful. Roll a large stone over here at once.”

the Armies of israel » Strict discipline observed in
Blood » The jews often guilty of eating
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 14:34 (show verse)

He then said, “Go among the troops and say to them, ‘Each man must bring me his ox or his sheep. Do the slaughtering here and then you can eat. Don’t sin against the Lord by eating meat with the blood in it.’” So every one of the troops brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there.

the Armies of israel » Strict discipline observed in
Blood » Forbidden to be eaten
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 14:35 (show verse)

Then Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first time he had built an altar to the Lord.

Altar » Built by » saul
the Armies of israel » Strict discipline observed in
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 14:36 (show verse)

Saul said, “Let’s go down after the Philistines tonight and plunder them until morning. Don’t let even one remain!”

“Do whatever you want,” the troops replied.

But the priest said, “We must consult God here.”

the Armies of israel » Strict discipline observed in
Draw near to God » In prayer and fellowship
God » Christ as » Draw near to, in prayer and fellowship
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nearness to God » In prayer and fellowship

1 Samuel 14:37 (show verse)

So Saul inquired of God, “Should I go after the Philistines? Will You hand them over to Israel?” But God did not answer him that day.

Armies » March in ranks » Religious ceremonies attending » Seeking counsel from God before battle
the Armies of israel » Strict discipline observed in
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Prayer » Causes of failure in » Disobedience
The wicked » Causes of failure in » Disobedience

1 Samuel 14:38 (show verse)

Saul said, “All you leaders of the troops, come here. Let us investigate how this sin has occurred today.

1 Samuel 14:39 (show verse)

As surely as the Lord lives who saves Israel, even if it is because of my son Jonathan, he must die!” Not one of the troops answered him.

1 Samuel 14:40 (show verse)

So he said to all Israel, “You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side.”

And the troops replied, “Do whatever you want.”

1 Samuel 14:41 (show verse)

So Saul said to the Lord, “God of Israel, give us the right decision.”

Jonathan and Saul were selected, and the troops were cleared of the charge.

Armies » March in ranks » Religious ceremonies attending » Seeking counsel from God before battle
the Armies of israel » Strict discipline observed in
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Casting Lots » Jonathan's
Religious zeal » Instances of » King saul

1 Samuel 14:42 (show verse)

Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan,” and Jonathan was selected.

the Armies of israel » Strict discipline observed in
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Casting Lots » Jonathan's
Religious zeal » Instances of » King saul

1 Samuel 14:43 (show verse)

Saul commanded him, “Tell me what you did.”

Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the end of the staff I was carrying. I am ready to die!”

the Armies of israel » Strict discipline observed in
Jonathan » Son of saul
Jonathan » Son of saul » Under saul's curse pronounced against anyone who might take food before saul was avenged of his enemies
Jonathan » Son of saul » Rescued by the people
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Religious zeal » Instances of » King saul

1 Samuel 14:44 (show verse)

Saul declared to him, “May God punish me and do so severely if you do not die, Jonathan!”

the Armies of israel » Strict discipline observed in
Government » Mosaic » Possessed veto power over the king's purposes
Jonathan » Son of saul » Rescued by the people
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Oaths » Instances of rash, &c » saul
Religious zeal » Instances of » King saul

1 Samuel 14:45 (show verse)

But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die, who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? No, as the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he worked with God’s help today.” So the people redeemed Jonathan, and he did not die.

Christ » Conqueror of death » Co-operation with
Government » Mosaic » Possessed veto power over the king's purposes
Gratitude » To men, examples of
Jonathan » Son of saul » Rescued by the people
King » Influenced by popular opinion » saul
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
public Opinion » Power of » Saved jonathan's life
religious Work » Helpful various forms of, to which men are called » Wrought in co-operation with God

1 Samuel 14:46 (show verse)

Then Saul gave up the pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own territory.

Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
saul » King of israel » Defeats the philistines

1 Samuel 14:47 (show verse)

When Saul assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies in every direction: against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he caused havoc.

Amalekites » Defeated by saul
the Ammonites » Saul's victories over
Edomites » Saul makes war against
Edomites, the » Saul made war against
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Moabites » Harassed and subdued by saul
Syria » Minor kingdoms within the region » Aram-zobah, also called, zobah and zoba
Zobah » Kingdom » North » Israel

Abner » Cousin of saul
Abner » Captain of the host
Ahimaaz » Father-in-law of king saul
Ahinoam » Wife of king saul
Armies » How officered » Commander-in-chief
Captain » Commander-in-chief of an army
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Nepotism » Of saul
Ner » Father of abner

1 Samuel 14:51 (show verse)

Saul’s father was Kish. Abner’s father was Ner son of Abiel.

Abiel » Saul's grandfather
Abner » Cousin of saul
tribe of Benjamin » Celebrated persons of;
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul

1 Samuel 14:52 (show verse)

The conflict with the Philistines was fierce all of Saul’s days, so whenever Saul noticed any strong or brave man, he enlisted him.

Armies » Compulsory service in
Conscription » Of soldiers
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Philistines » Saul constantly at war with
saul » King of israel » Defeats the philistines