1 Samuel 14:37

1Sa 14:37 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.

Ver. 37. And Saul asked counsel of God.] Since the high priest would needs have it so. See 1Sa 14:34.

But he answered him not that day.] A sure sign of his displeasure, as 1Sa 28:6. God either answereth not wicked men at all, {Eze 20:2-3} or else he answereth them according to the idols of their hearts, with bitter answers: {Eze 14:20} sending them to the gods whom they had chosen, as Jdg 10:13-14.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Sa_14:37

And dipped it in an honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth.

The honey of Gods Word

There were three kinds of honey:

1. That which was made by bees.

2. That which was distilled from the trees.

3. That which was made from grape juice, and largely exported.

The kind Jonathan ate, was doubtless the product of the honey bee. This honey had a marvellous effect upon Jonathan. It enlightened his eyes; it strengthened his body so that the faintness which produced dimness of vision disappeared. Gods Word is our honey. The provision is abundant, like as was the honey in wild profusion in the woods which Jonathan entered. It is sweet. It gives strength. Above all, it has an enlightening power.

1. The Word of God enlightens the intellect. The Bible is Gods great school book to man.

2. It enlightens the moral sense. The needle of the compass must be magnetised if it is to point always to the north; the watch must be set by the sun, if it is to give correct time; so the conscience, to point always heavenward, must be brought under the influence of the Scriptures.

3. It brings light to the eye which has grown dim with sorrow.

4. It reveals the world in its true light.

5. It reveals the true nature of sin.

6. It reveals the sinners Saviour--the living, the crucified, the resurrected, the interceding, the justifying Saviour. Let us gather up three or four practical suggestions:--The honey of Gods Word is free, and is adapted to everybody. It never loses its sweetness or refreshing power. It is good to begin every day with a taste of it. It is wasted honey if you do not partake of it. (T. L. Cuyler, D. D.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

14:37-38 God made no reply: Neither the “no” lot nor the “yes” lot of the Urim and Thummim appeared.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 37. He answered him not that day.] Why was this answer delayed? Surely Jonathan's eating the honey was no sin. This could not have excited God's displeasure. And yet the lot found out Jonathan! But did this argue that he had incurred guilt in the sight of God? I answer: It did not; for Jonathan was delivered, by the authority of the people, from his father's rash curse; no propitiation is offered for his supposed transgression to induce God to pardon it; nor do we find any displeasure of God manifested on the occasion. See below.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(37) And Saul asked counsel of God.—The same phrase is always used in the many passages in the Books of Judges, 1 Sam., 2 Sam., 1 Chron., Hosea, &c. when God was inquired of by the Urim and Thummim. It may be styled the technical term of inquiry of the Oracle of the Most High; there are, however, slight. variations in the English translations of this phrase.

But he answered him not . . .—When the mysterious gems refused to shine, or in any way to signify the Divine approbation or disapproval, the high-priestly questioner seems, as in this instance, to have concluded that some public transgression had been committed, and that special atonement must be made before the desired answer could be expected. The sacred gems probably remained dull and lightless the night was wearing on, and Saul chafed at the unexpected delay, and in his impetuous anger uttered the wild words on which we are about to comment.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

37. asked counsel of God] Inquired of God, the same verb as in 1Sa_10:22, See note there.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And Saul asked counsel of God,.... He agreed to the motion of the high priest, and asked counsel by Urim and Thummim; the Targum is, as before,"inquired by the Word of the Lord:"

shall I go down after the Philistines? pursue after them in their flight to their own country, which, lying to the sea, was a descent:

wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? what remain of them, otherwise a victory over them was obtained:

but he answered him not that day; no answer was returned by Urim and Thummim, so that he was left in suspense whether he should pursue or no; the Targum is,"he received not his prayer that day;''this was treating him in a righteous manner; since he would not stay for an answer from the Lord, Sa1 14:19, the Lord now will not give him any; though the principal view was, that he might take the step he did.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Asked counsel - The technical phrase for inquiring of God by Urim and Thummim, and applied also to inquiry of other oracles.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Either,

1. Because he was displeased with Saul for his former neglect, 1Sa 14:18,19, where he began to ask advice of God, but was so rude and impious as not to tarry for an answer; and therefore it was but a just retaliation, if when Saul did ask, God would not vouchsafe him an answer. Or,

2. To manifest his dislike of the violation of oaths. For although Jonathan might have a fair excuse from his invincible ignorance and urgent necessity; and though Saul had done foolishly in making this oath (which also God would this way discover); yet when once it was made, God would hereby teach them that it should be observed, and that they should abstain even from all appearance of the breach of it.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

37. Saul asked counsel of God — By urim and thummin.

He answered him not — Thereby indicating that he or the people had in some way incurred the Divine displeasure.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Vers. 37, 38. He answered him not. From this silence Saul concludes that some sin has been committed, and therefore calls together all the chief of the people literally, "the corner stones" (Jud_1:20:2) to inquire who was the guilty person, and wherein he had sinned.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.