King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 14:17 Mean?

1 Samuel 14:17 in the King James Version says “Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.

1 Samuel 14:17 · KJV


Context

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

16

And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.

17

Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.

18

And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.

19

And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand. noise: or, tumult


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.

Saul's command to 'Number now, and see who is gone from us' seeks information when action is needed. The discovery that 'Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there' reveals Saul was ignorant of the very initiative that produced the victory he now observes. The king sits counting while his son fights. This administrative response to divine intervention continues Saul's pattern of form over faith. He manages logistics while God acts through the faith-filled.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Military commanders regularly accounted for their forces. Saul's numbering reveals both proper procedure and delayed response. The time taken to number the 600 men while battle raged demonstrates misplaced priorities. Jonathan's absence explained the mysterious Philistine collapse.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can proper procedures become excuses for avoiding faithful action?
  2. What does Saul's ignorance of Jonathan's action reveal about his leadership?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 17

Then said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁא֗וּל2 of 17

Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

לָעָם֙3 of 17

unto the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֲשֶׁ֣ר4 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אִתּ֔וֹ5 of 17
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

וַֽיִּפְקְד֔וּ6 of 17

from us And when they had numbered

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

נָ֣א7 of 17
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

וּרְא֔וּ8 of 17

now and see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

מִ֖י9 of 17
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

הָלַ֣ךְ10 of 17

who is gone

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

מֵֽעִמָּ֑נוּ11 of 17
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וַֽיִּפְקְד֔וּ12 of 17

from us And when they had numbered

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

וְהִנֵּ֛ה13 of 17
H2009

lo!

אֵ֥ין14 of 17
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

יֽוֹנָתָ֖ן15 of 17

behold Jonathan

H3129

jonathan, the name of ten israelites

וְנֹשֵׂ֥א16 of 17

and his armourbearer

H5375

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

כֵלָֽיו׃17 of 17
H3627

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


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 14:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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