King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 14:36 Mean?

1 Samuel 14:36 in the King James Version says “And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not lea... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.

1 Samuel 14:36 · KJV


Context

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

35

And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD. the same: Heb. that altar he began to build unto the LORD

36

And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.

37

And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.

38

And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day. chief: Heb. corners


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.

Saul proposes night attack: 'Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light.' The military aggressiveness contrasts with his earlier passivity (verse 2). The priest's counsel to 'draw near hither unto God' suggests need for divine guidance before such action. Saul's willingness to consult God - 'Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee' - appears appropriately submissive. The pattern of seeking God after decision, rather than before, continues.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Night attacks were risky in ancient warfare due to coordination difficulties, but could achieve surprise. The priest's intervention slowed Saul's impulsive military plan, introducing the possibility of divine guidance into human strategy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does impulsive religious activity differ from genuine God-seeking?
  2. What is the value of spiritual counsel that slows hasty decisions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙1 of 26

of them And they said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁא֡וּל2 of 26

And Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

נֵֽרְדָ֣ה3 of 26

Let us go down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

אַֽחֲרֵי֩4 of 26

after

H310

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

פְלִשְׁתִּ֨ים׀5 of 26

the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

לַ֜יְלָה6 of 26

by night

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

וְֽנָבֹ֥זָה7 of 26

and spoil

H962

to plunder

בָהֶ֣ם׀8 of 26
H0
עַד9 of 26
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

א֣וֹר10 of 26

light

H216

illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)

הַבֹּ֗קֶר11 of 26

them until the morning

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

וְלֹֽא12 of 26
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נַשְׁאֵ֤ר13 of 26

and let us not leave

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

בָּהֶם֙14 of 26
H0
אִ֔ישׁ15 of 26

a man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙16 of 26

of them And they said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כָּל17 of 26
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַטּ֥וֹב18 of 26

good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ19 of 26

whatsoever seemeth

H5869

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

עֲשֵׂ֑ה20 of 26

Do

H6213

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

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙21 of 26

of them And they said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַכֹּהֵ֔ן22 of 26

the priest

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

נִקְרְבָ֥ה23 of 26

Let us draw near

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

הֲלֹ֖ם24 of 26

hither

H1988

hither

אֶל25 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃26 of 26

unto God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of


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 14:36 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 14:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study