This verse from 1 Samuel 14:17 describes a moment of realization during a chaotic situation. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Context: Saul and his army are facing the Philistines. There's a growing commotion and panic within the Philistine camp, and Saul wants to understand what's happening.
"Then Saul said to the people who were with him, 'Count now, and see who is missing from us.'" Saul, realizing something significant is occurring, orders a headcount of his own troops. He wants to know if any of his men have gone missing, potentially indicating they're involved in whatever is causing the disturbance among the Philistines.
"When they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there." The count reveals that Jonathan, Saul's son and a key warrior, and his armor bearer are absent. This is significant because Jonathan is known for his bravery and initiative.
Meaning: The verse is important because it establishes the likely cause of the Philistine chaos: Jonathan and his armor bearer have taken it upon themselves to launch a daring raid on the Philistine camp without Saul's knowledge or permission. This sets the stage for the subsequent events in the chapter, where Jonathan's bold actions lead to a major victory for Israel, although Saul's impulsiveness nearly squanders it.
The verse is indicating that Jonathan's absence may be the cause of the problem and it is Saul's first realization of this.
This verse from 1 Samuel 14:17 describes a moment of realization during a chaotic situation. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Context: Saul and his army are facing the Philistines. There's a growing commotion and panic within the Philistine camp, and Saul wants to understand what's happening.
"Then Saul said to the people who were with him, 'Count now, and see who is missing from us.'" Saul, realizing something significant is occurring, orders a headcount of his own troops. He wants to know if any of his men have gone missing, potentially indicating they're involved in whatever is causing the disturbance among the Philistines.
"When they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there." The count reveals that Jonathan, Saul's son and a key warrior, and his armor bearer are absent. This is significant because Jonathan is known for his bravery and initiative.
Meaning: The verse is important because it establishes the likely cause of the Philistine chaos: Jonathan and his armor bearer have taken it upon themselves to launch a daring raid on the Philistine camp without Saul's knowledge or permission. This sets the stage for the subsequent events in the chapter, where Jonathan's bold actions lead to a major victory for Israel, although Saul's impulsiveness nearly squanders it.
The verse is indicating that Jonathan's absence may be the cause of the problem and it is Saul's first realization of this.