King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 14:13 Mean?

1 Samuel 14:13 in the King James Version says “And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan;...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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

Read 1 Samuel 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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

  1. How does God multiply effectiveness when we act in faith-driven obedience?
  2. What impossible 'climbs' is God calling you to attempt?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיַּ֣עַל1 of 16

“climbed up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

יֽוֹנָתָ֔ן2 of 16

“And Jonathan”

H3129

jonathan, the name of ten israelites

עַל3 of 16
H5921

above, 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”

H3027

a 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
H5921

above, 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”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

וְנֹשֵׂ֥א7 of 16

“and his armourbearer”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

כֵלָ֖יו8 of 16
H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

אַֽחֲרָֽיו׃9 of 16

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

וַֽיִּפְּלוּ֙10 of 16

“him and they fell”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

לִפְנֵ֣י11 of 16

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יֽוֹנָתָ֔ן12 of 16

“And Jonathan”

H3129

jonathan, the name of ten israelites

וְנֹשֵׂ֥א13 of 16

“and his armourbearer”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

כֵלָ֖יו14 of 16
H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

מְמוֹתֵ֥ת15 of 16

“slew”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

אַֽחֲרָֽיו׃16 of 16

“after”

H310

properly, 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

Romans 8:31Psalms 18:29Deuteronomy 32:30Hebrews 11:34Joshua 23:10Leviticus 26:7-8

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 14 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 Samuel 14 with CommentaryAll 1 Samuel ChaptersComplete 1 Samuel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes