King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 14:40 Mean?

1 Samuel 14:40 in the King James Version says “Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people sai...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee.”

1 Samuel 14:40 · KJV

Context

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.

40

Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee.

41

Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped. Give: or, Shew the innocent escaped: Heb. went forth

42

And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.

Read 1 Samuel 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee.

Saul's division of the assembly - 'Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side' - places himself and Jonathan together, opposite Israel. This arrangement suggests Saul considers royal house more likely innocent than the general population. The people's response 'Do what seemeth good unto thee' reflects resignation rather than enthusiasm. They comply but do not affirm. The process moves toward tragedy with a sense of inevitability.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Lot-casting typically narrowed from larger to smaller groups. Saul's arrangement assumed the sin was more likely among commoners than in the royal family. This assumption proved wrong, intensifying the irony of the situation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do assumptions about who is guilty affect how we investigate problems?
  2. What does the people's passive compliance suggest about their relationship with Saul?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיֹּֽאמְר֤וּ1 of 21

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל2 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל3 of 21
H3605

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל4 of 21

“he unto all Israel”

H3478

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

אַתֶּם֙5 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תִּֽהְיוּ֙6 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְעֵ֣בֶר7 of 21

“side”

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

אֶחָ֑ד8 of 21

“Be ye on one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וַֽאֲנִי֙9 of 21
H589

i

וְיֽוֹנָתָ֣ן10 of 21

“and I and Jonathan”

H3129

jonathan, the name of ten israelites

בְּנִ֔י11 of 21

“my son”

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

נִֽהְיֶ֖ה12 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְעֵ֣בֶר13 of 21

“side”

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

אֶחָ֑ד14 of 21

“Be ye on one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וַיֹּֽאמְר֤וּ15 of 21

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָעָם֙16 of 21

“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

אֶל17 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׁא֔וּל18 of 21

“unto Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

הַטּ֥וֹב19 of 21

“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

בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ20 of 21

“what seemeth”

H5869

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

עֲשֵֽׂה׃21 of 21

“Do”

H6213

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

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 14:40 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 14:40 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 15:151 Samuel 14:71 Samuel 14:36

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