King James Version
What Does 1 Samuel 14:13 Mean?
“And 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.”
1 Samuel 14:13 · KJV
Context
11
And 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.
12
And 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.
13
And 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
And 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. an: or, half a furrow of an acre of land
15
And 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. a very: Heb. a trembling of God
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAnd 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.
Jonathan's climb 'upon his hands and upon his feet' pictures the physical difficulty of the ascent. The immediate result - 'they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him' - describes devastating effectiveness. Jonathan strikes; his armor-bearer follows to finish the fallen. The climbing attack succeeds beyond any tactical explanation. God's power flows through human obedience, turning what should be slaughter of climbers into rout of defenders. Two men overthrow a garrison through faith.
Jonathan's climb 'upon his hands and upon his feet' pictures the physical difficulty of the ascent. The immediate result - 'they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him' - describes devastating effectiveness. Jonathan strikes; his armor-bearer follows to finish the fallen. The climbing attack succeeds beyond any tactical explanation. God's power flows through human obedience, turning what should be slaughter of climbers into rout of defenders. Two men overthrow a garrison through faith.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
The technique described - lead warrior wounding, following warrior killing - was efficient ancient combat method. Jonathan's ability to strike effectively while completing a difficult climb suggests supernatural enablement. The garrison's inability to repel two climbing attackers indicates divine confusion among the defenders.
Reflection Questions
- How does God multiply effectiveness when we act in faith-driven obedience?
- What impossible 'climbs' is God calling you to attempt?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 16 wordsוַיַּ֣עַל1 of 16
“climbed up”
H5927to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עַל3 of 16
H5921above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יָדָיו֙4 of 16
“upon his hands”
H3027a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וְעַל5 of 16
H5921above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רַגְלָ֔יו6 of 16
“and upon his feet”
H7272a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
וְנֹשֵׂ֥א7 of 16
“and his armourbearer”
H5375to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
כֵלָ֖יו8 of 16
H3627something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
אַֽחֲרָֽיו׃9 of 16
“after”
H310properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וַֽיִּפְּלוּ֙10 of 16
“him and they fell”
H5307to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
לִפְנֵ֣י11 of 16
“before”
H6440the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְנֹשֵׂ֥א13 of 16
“and his armourbearer”
H5375to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
כֵלָ֖יו14 of 16
H3627something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
אַֽחֲרָֽיו׃16 of 16
“after”
H310properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
Study Guide
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
1 Samuel 14:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to 1 Samuel 14:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge