King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 14:44 Mean?

1 Samuel 14:44 in the King James Version says “And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.”

1 Samuel 14:44 · KJV

Context

42

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

43

Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.

44

And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.

45

And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

46

Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.

Saul's verdict - 'God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan' - invokes divine sanction for executing his own son. The oath formula 'God do so and more also' was a self-curse promising divine punishment if the speaker failed to fulfill his vow. Saul compounds original folly with judicial murder. He will execute the battle's hero for eating honey he did not know was forbidden. Religious scrupulosity reaches its absurd extreme: killing the faithful to maintain the form of faithfulness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The oath formula was a serious self-imprecation. Saul essentially says, 'May God punish me if I do not execute Jonathan.' Ancient Near Eastern kings were bound by their oaths; failure to enforce them brought divine displeasure. Saul is trapped by his own words.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do religious systems sometimes demand injustice in the name of consistency?
  2. When does commitment to maintaining vows become greater evil than breaking them?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 11

“answered”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁא֔וּל2 of 11

“And Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

כֹּֽה3 of 11
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה4 of 11

“do so”

H6213

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

אֱלֹהִ֖ים5 of 11

“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

וְכֹ֣ה6 of 11
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

יוֹסִ֑ף7 of 11

“and more also”

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

כִּי8 of 11
H3588

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

תָּמ֖וּת9 of 11

“die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

תָּמ֖וּת10 of 11

“die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

יֽוֹנָתָֽן׃11 of 11

“Jonathan”

H3129

jonathan, the name of ten israelites

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 14:44 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 14:44 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 14:39Ruth 1:171 Samuel 25:22Genesis 38:242 Samuel 19:132 Samuel 12:31

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