Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.
Read it in contextJonathan's Attack on the Philistines
Start reading at 1 Samuel 14:1 (1 Samuel 14:1 to 1 Samuel 14:21).
The passage begins with Jonathan's decision to attack and concludes with the Philistines' discomfiture and the Hebrews turning to Israel's side, forming a complete narrative unit.
14:1Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.
14:2And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;
14:3And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
14:4And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
14:5The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.
14:6And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.
14:7And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.
14:8Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.
14:9If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.
14:10But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.
14:11And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
14:12And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.
14:13And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.
14:14And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.
14:15And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.
14:16And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.
14:17Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.
14:18And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.
14:19And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.
14:20And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.
14:21Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Tradition associates Samuel with the earlier material and Nathan and Gad with its continuation. Samuel dies during the narrative, so he did not write the complete account; the final compiler is unknown. Biblical references: 1 Samuel 25:1; 1 Chronicles 29:29. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Samuel 13:1–14:52): Saul, Jonathan, Samuel, and Israel's soldiers face the Philistines. The army is also affected by Saul's oath and the dispute concerning Jonathan. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israelite readers considering the rise of the monarchy and the transition from Saul to David. A more exact first readership cannot be established. Biblical references: 1 Samuel 8:4; 1 Samuel 16:13; 1 Samuel 31:6. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? Jonathan, without telling his father Saul, proposes to his armourbearer that they secretly go over to attack the Philistines' garrison. stated in the text
What is God revealing? God is revealing His sovereign power and ability to work through a few, as Jonathan states, "there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few." stated in the text
What is the literary style? Narrative history. book background
When
When was it written? The book of 1 Samuel was written between approximately 1000 and 930 B.C. book background
When does the event take place? This event takes place around 1087 B.C., during the period of Saul's reign. traditionally held
Where
Where did it happen? Jonathan proposes going to the Philistines' garrison, which is described as being "on the other side" from where Saul and his men were tarrying in the uttermost part of Gibeah, under a pomegranate tree in Migron. stated in the text
Where was the author located? The book was written in Israel. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Jonathan's Attack on the Philistines (1 Samuel 14:1 to 1 Samuel 14:21).
Start reading at 1 Samuel 14:1. The passage begins with Jonathan's decision to attack and concludes with the Philistines' discomfiture and the Hebrews turning to Israel's side, forming a complete narrative unit.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse initiates a significant episode in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Philistines during King Saul's reign. It highlights Jonathan's personal initiative and faith, setting the stage for a surprising victory that contrasts with Saul's more cautious approach. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? Jonathan's courageous faith in the LORD's power to save, regardless of the number of people involved, foreshadows God's ultimate deliverance through Christ. God's ability to achieve victory through seemingly humble means, as demonstrated in Jonathan's actions, points to the singular work of Christ in overcoming sin and death, which was accomplished through God's power rather than human might. interpretation
How do I apply it today? This passage encourages believers to trust in God's power and ability to work through them, even when facing overwhelming odds or limited resources. It calls for acting in faith and courage, remembering that God is not constrained by human limitations and can accomplish great things through those who rely on Him. interpretation
Cited: 1 Samuel 14:1, 1 Samuel 14:2, 1 Samuel 14:6
Who wrote it, and how we know
Samuel, with Nathan and Gad (traditional)From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. Chronicles refers to written records of Samuel, Nathan, and Gad. 1 Chronicles 29:29
Early traditionJewish tradition credits Samuel, with Nathan and Gad continuing after his death.
What is debatedSamuel dies partway through the account, so he cannot have written all of it. The final form is later.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 1 Samuel 14
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Samuel follows the transition from the judges to kingship and the rise of David during Saul's reign. It records Samuel's death before the book ends; attributing every line to Samuel would therefore exceed the narrative's evidence. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The establishment of kingship is followed by Saul's failures, and the LORD's rejection of his kingship prepares the choice of David.
Connection to the wholeThe establishment of kingship is followed by Saul's failures, and the LORD's rejection of his kingship prepares the choice of David.
Connection to the wholeThe establishment of kingship is followed by Saul's failures, and the LORD's rejection of his kingship prepares the choice of David.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The establishment of kingship is followed by Saul's failures, and the LORD's rejection of his kingship prepares the choice of David.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 1 Samuel
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
First Samuel follows the transition from the judges to kingship and the rise of David during Saul's reign. It records Samuel's death before the book ends; attributing every line to Samuel would therefore exceed the narrative's evidence.
Connection to the wholeSamuel's upbringing and calling stand beside the failures of Eli's house and the ark narrative, leading to Israel's return to the LORD.
Connection to the wholeThe establishment of kingship is followed by Saul's failures, and the LORD's rejection of his kingship prepares the choice of David.