1 Samuel 14:16 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down {one another}.”

1 Samuel 14:16

bookmark_border Save Verse

menu_book Verse in Context

Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, {which} a yoke {of oxen might plow}. {an...: or, half a furrow of an acre of land}

And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling. {a very...: Heb. a trembling of God}

And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down {one another}.

Then said Saul unto the people that {were} with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer {were} not {there}.

And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.

Get Personalized Biblical Guidance

Save your favorite verses, get AI-powered insights tailored to your life, and discover related scripture for your spiritual journey.

person_add Create Free Account library_books Explore Topics

From This Chapter

1 Samuel 14:1

"Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that {is} on the other side. But he told not his father. {it came...: or, there was a day}"

1 Samuel 14:2

"And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which {is} in Migron: and the people that {were} with him {were} about six hundred men;"

1 Samuel 14:3

"And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone. {Ahiah: called Ahimelech}"

1 Samuel 14:4

"And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, {there was} a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one {was} Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh."

1 Samuel 14:5

"The forefront of the one {was} situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. {forefront: Heb. tooth}"

1 Samuel 14:6

"And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for {there is} no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few."

Important Disclaimer: This biblical guidance is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you're experiencing crisis symptoms, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or seek immediate professional help.

Bible Guided provides faith-based guidance and should complement, not replace, professional therapeutic support.

shareShare Your Journey

menu_book Verse in Context

Get Personalized Biblical Guidance

From This Chapter