King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 14:47 Mean?

1 Samuel 14:47 in the King James Version says “So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the ch... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.

1 Samuel 14:47 · KJV


Context

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.

47

So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.

48

And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them. gathered: or, wrought mightily

49

Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.

The summary of Saul's military campaigns - against Moab, Ammon, Edom, Zobah, the Philistines, and Amalek - demonstrates his general effectiveness as a warrior king. The phrase 'took the kingdom over Israel' suggests his reign brought order after the judges' chaos. His ability to 'vex' (yarsha, 'condemn' or 'treat as guilty') his enemies indicates military success. Yet this summary follows immediately after failure, creating tension between public achievement and private dysfunction.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The list of enemies represents threats from every direction: Moab and Ammon to the east, Edom to the south, Zobah (Aramean kingdom) to the north, Philistines to the west, and Amalek to the south. Saul's military successes secured Israel's borders during his reign.

Reflection Questions

  1. Can outward success coexist with inward failure?
  2. How should we evaluate leaders who achieve results while demonstrating character flaws?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְשָׁא֛וּל1 of 20

So Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

לָכַ֥ד2 of 20

took

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

הַמְּלוּכָ֖ה3 of 20

the kingdom

H4410

something ruled, i.e., a realm

עַל4 of 20
H5921

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל5 of 20

over Israel

H3478

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

וַיִּלָּ֣חֶם6 of 20

and fought

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

סָבִ֣יב׀7 of 20

on every side

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

בְּֽכָל8 of 20
H3605

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

אֹיְבָ֡יו9 of 20

against all his enemies

H341

hating; an adversary

בְּמוֹאָ֣ב׀10 of 20

against Moab

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

וּבִבְנֵֽי11 of 20

and against the children

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

עַמּ֨וֹן12 of 20

of Ammon

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

וּבֶֽאֱד֜וֹם13 of 20

and against Edom

H123

edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him

וּבְמַלְכֵ֤י14 of 20

and against the kings

H4428

a king

צוֹבָה֙15 of 20

of Zobah

H6678

zoba or zobah, a region of syria

וּבַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים16 of 20

and against the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וּבְכֹ֥ל17 of 20
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר18 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִפְנֶ֖ה19 of 20

and whithersoever he turned

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

יַרְשִֽׁיעַ׃20 of 20

himself he vexed

H7561

to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate


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 14:47 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 14:47 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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