Year of the Bible
1 Samuel 14
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Commentary on the First Book of Samuel, Chapter 14:
King Saul now commits the second great error of his reign, and it pits the King against his son. Prince Jonathan and his armor bearer surprise a group of Philistines, and their attack initiates a battle where God brings victory to the Israelites. Saul makes a selfish oath commanding that no one may eat until all the retreating enemy soldiers are killed. Word of this oath does not make it to Jonathan who does eat and allows his famished troops to do the same. When Saul tries to discern God’s will for the next battle, there is unusual silence, suggesting someone broke Saul’s oath. The King wants his son killed for the violation, but the people know of Jonathan’s great victory and choose the son over their King.
The First Book of Samuel, Chapter 14:
Jonathan Surprises the Philistines
1 One day Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on yonder side.” But he did not tell his father. 2 Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is at Migron; the people who were with him were about six hundred men, 3 and Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the Lord in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people did not know that Jonathan had gone. 4 In the pass, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistine garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side and a rocky crag on the other side; the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. 5 The one crag rose on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.
6 And Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us; for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” 7 And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that your mind inclines to; behold, I am with you, as is your mind so is mine.” 8 Then said Jonathan, “Behold, we will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them. 9 If they say to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand still in our place, and we will not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up; for the Lord has given them into our hand. And this shall be the sign to us.” 11 So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines; and the Philistines said, “Look, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hid themselves.” 12 And the men of the garrison hailed Jonathan and his armor-bearer, and said, “Come up to us, and we will show you a thing.” And Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Come up after me; for the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.” 13 Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor-bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer killed them after him; 14 and that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer made, was of about twenty men within as it were half a furrow’s length in an acre of land. 15 And there was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison and even the raiders trembled; the earth quaked; and it became a very great panic.
16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and behold, the multitude was surging here and there. 17 Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Number and see who has gone from us.” And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. 18 And Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here.” For the ark of God went at that time with the sons of Israel. 19 And while Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more; and Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” 20 Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle; and behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion. 21 Now the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines before that time and who had gone up with them into the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 Likewise, when all the men of Israel who had hid themselves in the hill country Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle. 23 So the Lord delivered Israel that day; and the battle passed beyond Bethaven.
Saul’s Rash Oath
24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul laid an oath on the people, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food. 25 And all the people came into the forest; and there was honey on the ground. 26 And when the people entered the forest, behold, the honey was dropping, but no man put his hand to his mouth; for the people feared the oath. 27 But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath; so he put forth the tip of the staff that was in his hand, and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes became bright. 28 Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food this day.’ ” And the people were faint. 29 Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land; see how my eyes have become bright, because I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found; for now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great.”
31 They struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were very faint; 32 the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep and oxen and calves, and slew them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood. 33 Then they told Saul, “Behold, the people are sinning against the Lord, by eating with the blood.” And he said, “You have dealt treacherously; roll a great stone to me here.” 34 And Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them, ‘Let every man bring his ox or his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and do not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.’ ” So every one of the people brought his ox with him that night, and slew them there. 35 And Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord.
The People Ransom Jonathan
36 Then Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and despoil them until the morning light; let us not leave a man of them.” And they said, “Do whatever seems good to you.” But the priest said, “Let us draw near here to God.” 37 And Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?” But he did not answer him that day. 38 And Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the people; and know and see how this sin has arisen today. 39 For as the Lord lives who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But there was not a man among all the people that answered him. 40 Then he said to all Israel, “You shall be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side.” And the people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.” 41 Therefore Saul said, “O Lord God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant this day? If this guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O Lord, God of Israel, give Urim; but if this guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped. 42 Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was taken.*
43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” And Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the tip of the staff that was in my hand; here I am, I will die.” 44 And Saul said, “God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan.” 45 Then the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has wrought this great victory in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he has wrought with God this day.” So the people ransomed Jonathan, that he did not die. 46 Then Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines; and the Philistines went to their own place.
Saul’s Continuing Wars
47 When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the Ammonites, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines; wherever he turned he put them to the worse. 48 And he did valiantly, and struck the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them.
49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the first-born was Merab, and the name of the younger Michal; 50 and the name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle; 51 Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abi'el.
52 There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul; and when Saul saw
any strong man, or any valiant man, he attached him to himself.
*Daily Lectio Divina Question:
As depicted by Saul in this chapter, we put the people we love in danger when we make rash decisions in the heat/excitement of the moment rather than taking the time to step away from the situation and discern what is the truly wise and right thing to do. Lord, draw me to seek FIRST your kingdom and your righteousness rather than relying on my own capricious sensibilities.
Biblical Commentary provided by the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan. Join a Catholic Biblical School of Michigan class this September at Holy Family in Grand Blanc, or online.
Revised Standard Version; Second Catholic Edition. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2006).
Permission to use the RSV-2CE given for Bishop's Year of the Bible by Ignatius Press. Many thanks to Ignatius for this.
If you're looking for a good Catholic edition of the Bible, look no further.
1 Un día Jonatán, hijo de Saúl, dijo a
su escudero:
–Ven, pasemos hasta el destacamento
de los filisteos que está al lado opuesto.
Pero no le comunicó nada a su padre.
2 Saúl estaba en el extremo opuesto
de Guibeá, bajo el granado que hay en
Magrón. El pueblo que estaba con él era
de unos seiscientos hombres. 3 Y Ajías,
hijo de Ajitub, hermano de Icabod, hijo
de Pinjás, hijo de Elí, sacerdote del Señor
en Siló, llevaba un efod. El pueblo
no se dio cuenta de que Jonatán se había
marchado. 4 En el paso que Jonatán
pretendía atravesar, camino del destacamento
de los filisteos, hay dos picachos;
uno a cada lado: uno se llama Bosés y
otro Sene. 5 Un picacho mira al norte,
hacia Micmás, y el otro hacia el sur, hacia
el territorio de Gueba. 6 Jonatán dijo
a su escudero:
–Ven, pasemos hasta el destacamento
de los incircuncisos. Quizá el Señor
haga algo por nosotros, pues al Señor
nada le importa que sean pocos o muchos
para conceder la victoria.
7 Su escudero le respondió:
–Haz lo que te dicte el corazón. Yo
iré contigo según tus deseos.
8 Jonatán le dijo:
–Vamos a acercarnos a esos hombres
y nos dejaremos ver. 9 Si ellos nos
dicen: «Quietos hasta que lleguemos a
vosotros», permaneceremos en nuestro
sitio y no subiremos a ellos. 10 Pero
si dicen: «Subid hacia nosotros», subiremos;
porque el Señor los ha entregado
en nuestras manos; ésa será la señal.
11 Cuando los dos se dejaron ver por
el destacamento de los filisteos, éstos se
dijeron:
–Mirad, unos hebreos salen de las
cuevas donde se habían escondido.
12 Y los hombres del destacamento
gritaron a Jonatán y a su escudero:
–¡Subid hacia nosotros que tenemos
algo que deciros!
Jonatán dijo entonces a su escudero:
–Sube detrás de mí, el Señor los ha
entregado en manos de Israel.
13 Jonatán subió ayudándose de pies
y manos, y su escudero detrás de él. Los
filisteos iban cayendo ante Jonatán, y su
escudero los remataba tras él. 14 Esta primera
matanza que llevaron a cabo Jonatán
y su escudero fue de unos veinte
hombres en un espacio como de medio
surco.
15 El terror se apoderó del campamento
y de la región; incluso la gente
del destacamento y del cuerpo de vanguardia
temieron. La tierra tembló y
cundió el pánico a Dios. 16 Los centinelas
de Saúl, que estaban en Guibeá de
Benjamín, vieron que el gentío se dis
persaba huyendo en todas las direcciones.
17 Entonces Saúl dijo a los que estaban
con él:
–Pasad revista y comprobad quién
de los nuestros se ha marchado.
Pasaron revista y vieron que faltaban
Jonatán y su escudero.
18 Saúl dijo a Ajías:
–Trae el efod.
Pues Ajías era quien llevaba el efod
entre los hijos de Israel.
19 Mientras hablaba Saúl con el sacerdote,
el tumulto aumentaba más y
más en el campamento de los filisteos.
Saúl dijo al sacerdote:
–Retira tu mano.
20 Saúl y todos los que estaban con él
se reunieron y avanzaron hacia el combate.
Y ocurrió que entre los filisteos la
espada de cada uno se volvía contra su
compañero; hubo una confusión espantosa.
21 Los hebreos que antes estaban a
favor de los filisteos y que incluso habían
subido con ellos al campamento,
desertaron para pasarse a los israelitas
que estaban con Saúl y Jonatán. 22 También
los israelitas que se habían escondido
en las montañas de Efraím, al oír
que los filisteos huían, se unieron a los
suyos y los persiguieron. 23 El Señor salvó
a Israel aquel día, y el combate se extendió
hasta Bet-Aven.
24 Los hombres de Israel estaban molestos
porque Saúl había pronunciado
sobre el pueblo este juramento: «Maldito
el que tome alimento hasta la tarde,
hasta que me haya vengado de mis
enemigos». Pero nadie del pueblo probó
alimento.
25 Todo el ejército llegó a una zona en
la que había miel por el suelo. 26 Los soldados
se acercaron al panal que destilaba
miel, pero nadie se llevó la mano a la
boca porque tenían miedo del juramento.
Sin embargo, 27 Jonatán, que no había
oído el juramento de su padre sobre el
pueblo, alargó el bastón que llevaba en
su mano, hundió la punta en el panal de
miel, se llevó la mano a la boca y se le
iluminaron los ojos. 28 Entonces uno del
pueblo dijo:
–Tu padre ha hecho un juramento
solemne sobre el pueblo diciendo:
«Maldito el que tome alimento hoy», y
eso que el pueblo está desfallecido.
29 Dijo Jonatán:
–Mi padre ha causado un grave
daño al país. Mirad cómo se han iluminado
mis ojos con sólo probar un
poco de esa miel, 30 ¡cuánto más si el
pueblo hubiera comido hoy del botín
encontrado entre sus enemigos! ¿No
habría sido mayor la derrota de los filisteos?
31 Aquel día los israelitas derrotaron
a los filisteos desde Micmás hasta Ayalón
y, como la gente estaba agotada, 32 se
lanzaron al botín, tomaron ovejas, bueyes
y terneros, los degollaron en el suelo
y se los comieron con la sangre. 33 Se lo
contaron a Saúl diciendo:
–El pueblo está pecando contra el
Señor al comer carne con sangre.
Saúl dijo:
–Habéis hecho traición. Traedme
una piedra grande.
34 Y luego añadió:
–Dispersaos entre el pueblo y decidles:
«Que cada uno traiga su buey o su
carnero. Sacrificadlos y comedlos aquí,
y no pequéis contra el Señor comiéndolo
con la sangre».
Aquella noche todo el pueblo trajo
lo que tenía y lo sacrificaron allí. 35 Saúl
edificó un altar para el Señor; fue el primero
que edificó. 36 Y dijo:
–Vamos a bajar contra los filisteos
esta noche y vamos a saquearles hasta
despuntar el día: no dejaremos ni un
solo hombre.
El pueblo respondió:
–Haz lo que te parezca mejor.
Pero el sacerdote dijo:
–Acerquémonos con esto a Dios.
37 Saúl entonces consultó a Dios:
–¿Debo bajar contra los filisteos?
¿Los entregarás en manos de Israel?
Pero aquel día no obtuvo respuesta.
38 Y Saúl dijo:
–Acercaos aquí todos los jefes del
pueblo. Investigad y ved qué pecado se
ha cometido hoy. 39 Vive Dios, Salvador
de Israel, que si es por Jonatán, mi hijo,
morirá sin remedio.
Nadie del pueblo le llevó la contraria.
40 Y dijo a todos los israelitas:
–Poneos a un lado, mi hijo Jonatán y
yo nos pondremos al otro.
El pueblo respondió:
–Haz lo que te parezca mejor
41 Entonces dijo Saúl al Señor, Dios
de Israel:
–¿Por qué no respondes hoy a tu
siervo? Si la culpa está en mí o en mi
hijo Jonatán, que salga urim; si está en
tu pueblo, que salga tummim.
Cayó la suerte en Jonatán y Saúl, y el
pueblo quedó libre.
42 Después dijo Saúl:
–Echad ahora suertes entre Jonatán
y yo.
Y recayó la suerte sobre Jonatán.
43 Saúl se dirigió a Jonatán:
–Cuéntame qué has hecho.
Y le contó Jonatán:
–Sólo probé un poco de miel con la
punta del bastón que tenía en mi mano,
pero estoy dispuesto a morir.
44 Saúl le dijo:
–Que el Señor me haga esto y aquello
me añada, si tú no mueres, Jonatán.
45 Pero el pueblo dijo a Saúl:
–¿Va a morir Jonatán, que es el que
ha conseguido esta gran victoria a Israel?
¡De ninguna manera! Vive Dios
que no caerá a tierra ni un solo cabello
de su cabeza, porque lo conseguido hoy
ha sido con la ayuda de Dios.
Así el pueblo salvó a Jonatán y no
murió. 46 Saúl dejó de perseguir a los filisteos
y éstos se retiraron a su región.
47 Pero Saúl, una vez constituido rey
de Israel, entabló batalla contra los enemigos
de su entorno: contra Moab y
contra los hijos de Amón, contra Edom,
contra los reyes de Sobá y contra los filisteos.
En todas sus incursiones salía
vencedor. 48 Realizó valerosas gestas,
venció a Amalec y libró a Israel del poder
de los que lo saqueaban.
49 Los hijos de Saúl fueron Jonatán,
Yisví y Malquisúa; sus dos hijas se llamaban
Merab, la mayor, y Mical, la pequeña.
50 El nombre de la mujer de Saúl era
Ajinóam, hija de Ajimaas; el nombre del
jefe del ejército era Abner, hijo de Ner,
tío de Saúl. 51 Quis, padre de Saúl, y Ner,
padre de Abner, eran hijos de Abiel.
52 Durante toda la vida de Saúl la
guerra contra los filisteos fue intensa,
por ello cuando Saúl veía un hombre
fuerte y valiente lo reclutaba para sí.
Pregunta de Lectio Divina del día de hoy
Tal y como lo describe Saúl en este capítulo, ponemos en peligro a las personas que amamos cuando tomamos decisiones precipitadas en el furor/la tensión del momento, en lugar de tomarnos el tiempo necesario para alejarnos de la situación y discernir qué es lo verdaderamente sabio y correcto. Señor, llévame a buscar PRIMERO tu reino y tu justicia, en lugar de confiar en mi sensibilidad caprichosa.
La Biblia de Navarra
Permiso para usar esta versión de la primera edición de la Biblia de Navarra
para el Año de la Biblia del Obispo
dado por Ediciones Universidad de Navarra, S.A. (EUNSA).