King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 14:37 Mean?

1 Samuel 14:37 in the King James Version says “And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? Bu...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Samuel 14:37 · KJV

Context

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

39

For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Saul's inquiry - 'Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel?' - receives no answer. Divine silence functions as divine communication. The notation 'he answered him not that day' indicates something is wrong. Saul interprets the silence as indicating sin within the camp rather than examining his own oath as the problem. His instinct to find fault elsewhere rather than within himself proves consistent.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Divine consultation through Urim and Thummim required yes/no answers that could remain unanswered if neither stone showed. This mechanism for divine guidance could register divine displeasure through silence. Saul's lack of answer indicated broken communication with God.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God sometimes communicate through silence?
  2. When divine guidance seems blocked, what should we examine first - others or ourselves?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיִּשְׁאַ֤ל1 of 13

“asked”

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

שָׁאוּל֙2 of 13

“And Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

בֵּֽאלֹהִ֔ים3 of 13

“counsel of 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

הַֽאֵרֵד֙4 of 13

“Shall I 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

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י5 of 13

“after”

H310

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

פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים6 of 13

“the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

הֲתִתְּנֵ֖ם7 of 13

“wilt thou deliver”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

בְּיַ֣ד8 of 13

“them into the hand”

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל9 of 13

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְלֹ֥א10 of 13
H3808

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

עָנָ֖הוּ11 of 13

“But he answered”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

בַּיּ֥וֹם12 of 13

“him not that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַהֽוּא׃13 of 13
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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 14:37 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 14:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 28:61 Samuel 23:9-122 Samuel 5:231 Kings 22:51 Samuel 23:4Ezekiel 14:3-5

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