King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 14:29 Mean?

1 Samuel 14:29 in the King James Version says “Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I ta...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.”

1 Samuel 14:29 · KJV

Prayer

Context

27

But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb , and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.

28

Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint. faint: or, weary

29

Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.

30

How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?

31

And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.

Read 1 Samuel 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.

Jonathan's response - 'My father hath troubled the land' - directly challenges royal authority. The Hebrew akar ('troubled') is the same word used for Achan's sin (Joshua 7:25), suggesting the oath brings corporate harm like covenant violation. Jonathan's evidence is personal and practical: 'see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.' He argues from experience against his father's theology. Obedience to a bad order would have hindered rather than helped.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jonathan's critique of Saul echoes Joshua's charge against Achan - that individual action brought trouble on the entire community. The reversal is striking: Jonathan accuses the king of the very thing kings should prevent. His public criticism of royal authority was extraordinary.

Reflection Questions

  1. When is it appropriate to publicly critique authority figures whose commands harm the community?
  2. How does Jonathan's 'see for yourself' argument model addressing bad leadership decisions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙1 of 16

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יֽוֹנָתָ֔ן2 of 16

“Jonathan”

H3129

jonathan, the name of ten israelites

עָכַ֥ר3 of 16

“hath troubled”

H5916

properly, to roil water; figuratively, to disturb or affict

אָבִ֖י4 of 16

“My father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֶת5 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאָ֑רֶץ6 of 16

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

רְאוּ7 of 16

“see”

H7200

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

נָא֙8 of 16
H4994

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

כִּי9 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֹ֣רוּ10 of 16

“have been enlightened”

H215

to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)

עֵינַ֔י11 of 16

“I pray you how mine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

כִּ֣י12 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

טָעַ֔מְתִּי13 of 16

“because I tasted”

H2938

to taste; figuratively, to perceive

מְעַ֖ט14 of 16

“a little”

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

דְּבַ֥שׁ15 of 16

“of this honey”

H1706

honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup

הַזֶּֽה׃16 of 16
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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 14:29 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 14:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 18:18Joshua 7:25

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