1 samuel 14:38 - Saul said, “Draw near here, all you chiefs of the people; and know and see in which this sin has been today.
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What does "1 samuel 14:38" mean?
This verse from 1 Samuel 14:38 is a pivotal moment in the story of Jonathan's rash oath and transgression. Let's break it down:
"Saul said, “Draw near here, all you chiefs of the people;" This is Saul addressing the leadership of the Israelites. He is calling them to assemble. This shows that Saul is attempting to identify the wrongdoer in a formal and public manner, rather than through private investigation.
"and know and see in which this sin has been today." This is the crucial part. Saul believes a sin has been committed, specifically a sin that has angered God and is hindering their military success against the Philistines. He's saying:
"Know": He wants to uncover the truth of what happened.
"See": He intends to publicly identify the guilty party.
"In which this sin has been today": He specifies that the sin has occurred on this particular day, the day of the battle against the Philistines. He connects the current battlefield difficulties with a specific transgression that has angered God.
In essence, the verse means: Saul, realizing their battle is going poorly, believes someone has committed a sin that has angered God and is therefore trying to identify and expose the culprit through a public assembly and possibly through divine means (such as casting lots, which is used later in the chapter). Saul sees the sin as the reason for their current struggles in battle. He views it as a disruption of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, causing God to withhold His favor.
Context is Key: This verse only makes full sense within the broader narrative of 1 Samuel 14. Here's the relevant background:
1. Saul's Rash Oath (1 Samuel 14:24): Saul had made a foolish oath, placing a curse on anyone who ate before evening. This oath was meant to galvanize the troops and prevent them from stopping to rest and eat, pushing them to pursue the Philistines more aggressively.
2. Jonathan's Ignorance (1 Samuel 14:27-30): Jonathan, Saul's son, was unaware of his father's oath. He tasted some honey, thereby technically breaking the oath without knowing it.
3. The People's Sin (1 Samuel 14:31-35): The Israelite soldiers were extremely hungry. After defeating the Philistines, they took sheep and oxen and slaughtered them on the ground, eating the meat with the blood. This violated God's law against consuming blood (Leviticus 17:10-14) and this made God angry.
4. Trouble Consulting God (1 Samuel 14:37): Saul tried to consult God for further guidance in the battle, but God did not answer him. Saul interprets this silence as a sign that someone has sinned.
Saul's motivation: Saul's actions are driven by a combination of zeal, insecurity, and a desire to maintain his authority. He is zealous for God (though misguidedly), but he's also concerned with his image as the king and wants to project strength and righteousness. He believes he needs to quickly find the sinner in order to regain God's favor and continue the battle with divine blessing.
1 samuel 14:38 - Saul said, “Draw near here, all you chiefs of the people; and know and see in which this sin has been today.
What does "1 samuel 14:38" mean?
This verse from 1 Samuel 14:38 is a pivotal moment in the story of Jonathan's rash oath and transgression. Let's break it down:
"Saul said, “Draw near here, all you chiefs of the people;" This is Saul addressing the leadership of the Israelites. He is calling them to assemble. This shows that Saul is attempting to identify the wrongdoer in a formal and public manner, rather than through private investigation.
"and know and see in which this sin has been today." This is the crucial part. Saul believes a sin has been committed, specifically a sin that has angered God and is hindering their military success against the Philistines. He's saying:
"Know": He wants to uncover the truth of what happened.
"See": He intends to publicly identify the guilty party.
"In which this sin has been today": He specifies that the sin has occurred on this particular day, the day of the battle against the Philistines. He connects the current battlefield difficulties with a specific transgression that has angered God.
In essence, the verse means: Saul, realizing their battle is going poorly, believes someone has committed a sin that has angered God and is therefore trying to identify and expose the culprit through a public assembly and possibly through divine means (such as casting lots, which is used later in the chapter). Saul sees the sin as the reason for their current struggles in battle. He views it as a disruption of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, causing God to withhold His favor.
Context is Key: This verse only makes full sense within the broader narrative of 1 Samuel 14. Here's the relevant background:
1. Saul's Rash Oath (1 Samuel 14:24): Saul had made a foolish oath, placing a curse on anyone who ate before evening. This oath was meant to galvanize the troops and prevent them from stopping to rest and eat, pushing them to pursue the Philistines more aggressively.
2. Jonathan's Ignorance (1 Samuel 14:27-30): Jonathan, Saul's son, was unaware of his father's oath. He tasted some honey, thereby technically breaking the oath without knowing it.
3. The People's Sin (1 Samuel 14:31-35): The Israelite soldiers were extremely hungry. After defeating the Philistines, they took sheep and oxen and slaughtered them on the ground, eating the meat with the blood. This violated God's law against consuming blood (Leviticus 17:10-14) and this made God angry.
4. Trouble Consulting God (1 Samuel 14:37): Saul tried to consult God for further guidance in the battle, but God did not answer him. Saul interprets this silence as a sign that someone has sinned.
Saul's motivation: Saul's actions are driven by a combination of zeal, insecurity, and a desire to maintain his authority. He is zealous for God (though misguidedly), but he's also concerned with his image as the king and wants to project strength and righteousness. He believes he needs to quickly find the sinner in order to regain God's favor and continue the battle with divine blessing.