King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 14:32 Mean?

1 Samuel 14:32 in the King James Version says “And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people di...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.”

1 Samuel 14:32 · King James Version

Context

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.

32

And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.

33

Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day. transgressed: or, dealt treacherously

34

And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there. with him: Heb. in his hand

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Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.

The consequence of Saul's oath: 'the people flew upon the spoil' and ate animals 'with the blood.' Extreme hunger from enforced fasting drives the people to violate Levitical law (Leviticus 17:10-14). Saul's attempt at extraordinary piety produces actual sin. The Hebrew ya'at ('flew') pictures ravenous desperation. The king's oath designed to secure divine favor instead causes his people to transgress divine command. Legalistic excess often produces the opposite of its intention.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Levitical law prohibited consuming blood because 'the life of the flesh is in the blood' (Leviticus 17:11). Proper slaughter required draining blood completely. The people's hasty eating of insufficiently bled animals violated fundamental dietary law.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do extreme religious requirements sometimes produce the very sins they seek to prevent?
  2. What is the connection between unhealthy deprivation and subsequent excess?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיַּ֤עַשׂ1 of 15
H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הָעָ֖ם2 of 15

“And the people”

H5971

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

אֶל3 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׁלָ֔ל4 of 15

“upon the spoil”

H7998

booty

וַיִּקְח֨וּ5 of 15

“and took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

צֹ֧אן6 of 15

“sheep”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

בָקָ֖ר7 of 15

“and oxen”

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

וּבְנֵ֥י8 of 15

“and calves”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בָקָ֖ר9 of 15

“and oxen”

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

וַיִּשְׁחֲטוּ10 of 15

“and slew”

H7819

to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)

אָ֑רְצָה11 of 15

“them on the ground”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַיֹּ֥אכַל12 of 15

“did eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

הָעָ֖ם13 of 15

“And the people”

H5971

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

עַל14 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַדָּֽם׃15 of 15

“them with the blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

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 14:32 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 14:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 3:171 Samuel 15:19Genesis 9:4Leviticus 19:26Leviticus 17:10-14Deuteronomy 12:16

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