Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the troops tasted food. New Living Translation Now the men of Israel were pressed to exhaustion that day, because Saul had placed them under an oath, saying, “Let a curse fall on anyone who eats before evening—before I have full revenge on my enemies.” So no one ate anything all day, English Standard Version And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day, so Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people had tasted food. Berean Standard Bible Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food. Berean Literal Bible And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had adjured the people, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats food before the evening, when I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” And none of all the people tasted food. King James Bible And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food. New King James Version And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had placed the people under oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food. New American Standard Bible Now the men of Israel were hard-pressed on that day, for Saul had put the people under oath, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food before evening, and before I have avenged myself on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food. NASB 1995 Now the men of Israel were hard-pressed on that day, for Saul had put the people under oath, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food before evening, and until I have avenged myself on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food. NASB 1977 Now the men of Israel were hard-pressed on that day, for Saul had put the people under oath, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food before evening, and until I have avenged myself on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food. Legacy Standard Bible Now the men of Israel were hard-pressed on that day. And Saul had put the people under oath, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food before evening and until I have avenged myself on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food. Amplified Bible But the men of Israel were hard-pressed that day, because Saul had put the people under a curse, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food before evening, and before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the people ate any food. Berean Annotated Bible Now the men of Israel (he wrestles with God) were in distress that day, for Saul (desired) had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies. So none of the troops tasted any food. Christian Standard Bible and the men of Israel were worn out that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath: “The man who eats food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies is cursed.” So none of the troops tasted any food. Holman Christian Standard Bible and the men of Israel were worn out that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath: “The man who eats food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies is cursed.” So none of the troops tasted any food. American Standard Version And the men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until it be evening, and I be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted food. English Revised Version And the men of Israel were distressed that day: but Saul adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until it be evening, and I be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted food. GOD'S WORD® Translation Israel's soldiers were driven hard that day. Saul made the troops swear, "Cursed is anyone who eats food before the evening comes and before I've gotten revenge on my enemies." So none of his troops tasted any food. Good News Translation The Israelites were weak with hunger that day, because Saul, with a solemn oath, had given the order: "A curse be on anyone who eats any food today before I take revenge on my enemies." So nobody had eaten anything all day. International Standard Version The men of Israel were hard pressed on that day, and Saul required the army to take an oath: "Cursed is the person who eats food before evening and before I've been avenged of my enemies." So no one tasted food. NET Bible Now the men of Israel were hard pressed that day, for Saul had made the army agree to this oath: "Cursed be the man who eats food before evening! I will get my vengeance on my enemies!" So no one in the army ate anything. New Heart English Bible And Saul committed a great blunder that day, for he had placed the people under an oath, saying, "Cursed is the man who eats any food until it is evening, and I am avenged of my enemies." So none of the people tasted food. Webster's Bible Translation And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on my enemies. So none of the people tasted any food. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNow the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food. World English Bible The men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food until it is evening, and I am avenged of my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the men of Israel have been distressed on that day, and Saul adjures the people, saying, “Cursed [is] the man who eats food until the evening, and I have been avenged of my enemies”; and none of the people have tasted food. Berean Literal Bible And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had adjured the people, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats food before the evening, when I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” And none of all the people tasted food. Young's Literal Translation And the men of Israel have been distressed on that day, and Saul adjureth the people, saying, 'Cursed is the man who eateth food till the evening, and I have been avenged of mine enemies;' and none of the people hath tasted food. Smith's Literal Translation And the man Israel was pressed in that day: and Saul will curse the people, saying, Cursed the men who shall eat bread till the evening, and I was avenged of mine enemy. And all the people tasted not bread. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the men of Israel were joined together that day; and Saul adjured the people, saying: Cursed be the man that shall eat food till evening, till I be revenged of my enemies. So none of the people tasted any food: Catholic Public Domain Version And the men of Israel were joined together on that day. And Saul made the people swear, saying, “Cursed be the man who will eat bread, until evening, until I am avenged of my enemies.” And the entire people did not consume bread. New American Bible Even though the Israelites were exhausted that day, Saul laid an oath on them, saying, “Cursed be the one who takes food before evening, before I am able to avenge myself on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food. New Revised Standard Version Now Saul committed a very rash act on that day. He had laid an oath on the troops, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before it is evening and I have been avenged on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted food. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Saul drew near that day and said to the people, Cursed be the man who eats food until evening, until I am avenged on my enemies. So none of the people tasted any food. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Shaul came near on that day and said to the people: “Cursed is the man who will eat food until evening until I am avenged of my enemies!”; and they tasted no bread OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the men of Israel were distressed that day; but Saul adjured the people, saying: 'Cursed be the man that eateth any food until it be evening, and I be avenged on mine enemies.' So none of the people tasted food. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Saul committed a great trespass of ignorance in that day, and he lays a curse on the people, saying, Cursed is the man who shall eat bread before the evening; so I will avenge myself on my enemy: and none of the people tasted bread, though all the land was dining. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jonathan Eats the Honey24Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food. 25Then all the troops entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground.… Cross References Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, Judges 21:5-7 The Israelites asked, “Who among all the tribes of Israel did not come to the assembly before the LORD?” For they had taken a solemn oath that anyone who failed to come up before the LORD at Mizpah would surely be put to death. / And the Israelites grieved for their brothers, the Benjamites, and said, “Today a tribe is cut off from Israel. / What should we do about wives for the survivors, since we have sworn by the LORD not to give them our daughters in marriage?” 1 Samuel 13:6-7 Seeing that they were in danger because their troops were hard-pressed, the men of Israel hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in cellars and cisterns. / Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul, however, remained at Gilgal, and all his troops were quaking in fear. 2 Samuel 21:1-2 During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.” / At this, David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had taken an oath concerning them, but in his zeal for Israel and Judah, Saul had sought to kill them.) for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, Judges 11:30-35 Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand, / then whatever comes out the door of my house to greet me on my triumphant return from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.” / So Jephthah crossed over to the Ammonites to fight against them, and the LORD delivered them into his hand. … Numbers 30:2 If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. / It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, Jeremiah 11:3 You must tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is the man who does not obey the words of this covenant, Deuteronomy 27:26 ‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Joshua 6:26 At that time Joshua invoked this solemn oath: “Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho; at the cost of his firstborn he will lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates.” before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” Deuteronomy 32:35-36 Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.” / For the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone and no one remains, slave or free. Psalm 94:1-2 O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth. / Rise up, O Judge of the earth; render a reward to the proud. Romans 12:19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” So none of the troops tasted any food. 2 Samuel 12:16-17 David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted and went into his house and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground. / The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them. Esther 4:16 “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!” 1 Kings 21:27 When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly. Judges 21:1 Now the men of Israel had sworn an oath at Mizpah, saying, “Not one of us will give his daughter in marriage to a Benjamite.” Treasury of Scripture And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eats any food until evening, that I may be avenged on my enemies. So none of the people tasted any food. Cursed 1 Samuel 14:27-30 But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened… Leviticus 27:29 None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be redeemed; but shall surely be put to death. Numbers 21:2 And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities. I may be Judges 5:2 Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. Judges 1:28 And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out. Psalm 18:47 It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. Jump to Previous Adjured Avenged Cursed Distressed Eateth Eats Enemies Evening Hard-Pressed Israel Oath Saul TastedJump to Next Adjured Avenged Cursed Distressed Eateth Eats Enemies Evening Hard-Pressed Israel Oath Saul Tasted1 Samuel 14 1. Jonathan goes and miraculously smites the Philistine's garrison15. A divine terror makes them beat themselves 17. Saul, not staying the priest's answer, sets on them 21. The captivated Hebrews, and the hidden Israelites, join against them. 24. Saul's unadvised adjuration hinders the victory 31. He restrains the people from eating blood 35. He builds an altar 37. Jonathan, taken by lot, is save by the people 47. Saul's victories, strength, and family Now the men of Israel were in distress that day The context here is a battle against the Philistines, a frequent enemy of Israel. The distress indicates both physical exhaustion and a moral burden due to the oath imposed by Saul. This reflects the broader theme of leadership and its impact on the people, as seen in other biblical narratives where leaders' decisions directly affect the well-being of their followers (e.g., Exodus 32 with the golden calf incident). for Saul had placed the troops under an oath saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, who made a rash oath that affected his troops. 2. The Men of Israel The soldiers under Saul's command, who were distressed due to the oath. 3. The Philistines The enemies of Israel, whom Saul sought to defeat. 4. Jonathan Saul's son, who was unaware of the oath and later violated it by eating honey. 5. The Battle The ongoing conflict between Israel and the Philistines, which was impacted by Saul's oath. Teaching Points The Danger of Rash DecisionsSaul's impulsive oath demonstrates the potential harm of making decisions without seeking God's guidance. Leaders, in particular, should be cautious and prayerful in their decision-making. The Burden of Legalism Saul's oath imposed an unnecessary burden on his troops, highlighting how legalistic approaches can hinder rather than help. We should focus on the spirit of God's commands rather than rigid adherence to human-imposed rules. The Importance of Communication Jonathan's ignorance of the oath underscores the need for clear communication, especially in leadership. Ensuring everyone is informed can prevent misunderstandings and unintended consequences. The Role of Mercy and Grace Despite the oath, Jonathan's actions led to a positive outcome in the battle. This illustrates how God's grace can work through our mistakes and how mercy should be a guiding principle in our interactions with others. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 14:24?2. How does Saul's oath in 1 Samuel 14:24 affect his troops' morale? 3. What lessons on leadership can we learn from Saul's actions in this verse? 4. How does Saul's oath compare to other biblical examples of rash vows? 5. How can we avoid making impulsive decisions like Saul in our own lives? 6. What does 1 Samuel 14:24 teach about the consequences of legalism over grace? 7. Why did Saul impose an oath on the troops in 1 Samuel 14:24? 8. How does Saul's oath in 1 Samuel 14:24 reflect his leadership style? 9. What are the consequences of Saul's oath in 1 Samuel 14:24 for his army? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 14? 11. Why would God honor Saul’s command to fast when it led the soldiers to sin by eating meat with blood (1 Samuel 14:24, 31–33)? 12. If Jonathan unknowingly broke Saul’s oath, why would God seemingly condemn him to death (1 Samuel 14:43–45)? 13. In Numbers 30:2, why is strict vow-keeping required here yet seemingly relaxed in other passages where God allows or even commands vows to be set aside? 14. Judges 11:34–39: If Jephthah’s daughter was actually sacrificed, why is there no explicit condemnation of this act elsewhere in Scripture? What Does 1 Samuel 14:24 Mean Now the men of Israel were in distress that day• The text immediately sets the emotional climate: physical weariness and anxiety weighed on the army. Similar scenes of battle-fatigue appear in Judges 8:4, where Gideon’s men were “exhausted yet still pursuing.” • Distress often precedes missteps; compare the uneasy mood of the Israelites in 1 Samuel 13:6 when they hid in caves. A strained force is more vulnerable to poor leadership decisions. for Saul had placed the troops under an oath • Saul’s command was a unilateral, kingly decree—an irrevocable vow once spoken (Numbers 30:2; Ecclesiastes 5:4-5). • His oath illustrates the danger of wielding spiritual language to enforce personal strategy rather than God’s will (cf. Matthew 5:33-37, where Jesus warns against rash oaths). • Leadership rooted in impulse rather than prayerful dependence often burdens followers (2 Chronicles 16:12 shows Asa trusting himself instead of the Lord). “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening • By invoking a curse, Saul magnified the stakes. This resembles Joshua’s pronouncement over Jericho’s ruins (Joshua 6:26), though Joshua’s was divinely directed, while Saul’s was self-generated. • Fasting can honor God when He initiates it (Joel 2:12), yet mandatory fasting for tactical leverage turns a spiritual discipline into a human device. • Evening marked the typical end of a Jewish day (Leviticus 23:32). Saul fixes the timeline, but God had not required it. before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” • The pronoun shift—“I” and “my”—reveals Saul’s focus. Contrast David’s language in Psalm 18:47, crediting “the God who avenges me.” • Personal vengeance skews perspective; Romans 12:19 later commands, “Leave room for God’s wrath.” Saul’s concern was his honor, not God’s deliverance. • This mindset foreshadows his later disobedience with Amalek (1 Samuel 15:12-23), where he again prioritizes personal victory over divine instruction. So none of the troops tasted any food. • Obedience to kingly authority, even when misguided, kept the army hungry and weak (compare 1 Samuel 14:28-31 where the soldiers finally pounce on spoil). • Deprived strength threatened the mission—Proverbs 24:10 states, “If you falter in a day of distress, how small is your strength!” • Jonathan, unaware of the oath, would later eat honey (1 Samuel 14:27), illustrating the impracticality of Saul’s command and underscoring the difference between godly wisdom and impulsive rule. summary 1 Samuel 14:24 exposes the cost of rash, self-centered leadership. Saul’s vow—meant to hasten victory—only produced distress, fatigue, and near disaster for Israel. Scripture consistently contrasts such flesh-driven decrees with Spirit-led obedience, reminding believers that true success rests on God’s direction, not human pressure. (24) And the men of Israel were distressed that day.--The LXX., between the 23rd and 24th verses, has a somewhat long addition: "And the whole people was with Saul, about ten thousand men; and the battle spread in the whole city, in the mountains of Ephraim; and Saul committed a great error." The number 10,000 is not an improbable one, as the original small force which had kept with Saul and Jonathan had been joined by the Hebrew auxiliaries in the Philistine camp, and also by many of the fugitives from the villages around. They were, we read, "distressed," that is, were wearied out by the long pursuit on the Ephraim hills.For Saul had adjured the people.--Better, And Saul, &c.; that is, the king was so intent upon his vengeance--so bent upon pursuing to the uttermost these Philistines who so long had defied his power, and who had brought him so low--that he grudged his soldiers the necessary rest and refreshment, and, with a terrible vow, devoted to death any one who should on that day of blood slack his hand for a moment, even to take food. Verse 24. - The men of Israel were distressed that day. The word is that used in 1 Samuel 13:6 of the state of terror and alarm to which the Israelites were reduced by the Philistine invasion; here it refers to their weariness and faintness for want of food. For Saul had adjured the people. Hebrew, "had made the people swear." He had recited before them the words of the curse, and made them shout their consent. His object was to prevent any delay in the pursuit; but in his eagerness he forgot that the strength of his men would fail if their bodily wants were not supplied. But though worn out and fainting, the people faithfully keep the oath put to them.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Now the menוְאִֽישׁ־ (wə·’îš-) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc were in distress נִגַּ֖שׂ (nig·gaś) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5065: To drive, to tax, harass, tyrannize that הַה֑וּא (ha·hū) Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are day, בַּיּ֣וֹם (bay·yō·wm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3117: A day for Saul שָׁא֨וּל (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites had placed the troops הָעָ֜ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock under an oath, וַיֹּאֶל֩ (way·yō·’el) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 422: To adjure, imprecate saying, לֵאמֹ֗ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say “Cursed [is] אָר֣וּר (’ā·rūr) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular Strong's 779: To execrate the man הָ֠אִישׁ (hā·’îš) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person who אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that eats יֹ֨אכַל (yō·ḵal) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 398: To eat [any] food לֶ֜חֶם (le·ḥem) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain before עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while evening, הָעֶ֗רֶב (hā·‘e·reḇ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6153: Evening before I have taken vengeance וְנִקַּמְתִּי֙ (wə·niq·qam·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Strong's 5358: To grudge, avenge, punish on my enemies.” מֵאֹ֣יְבַ֔י (mê·’ō·yə·ḇay) Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary So none וְלֹֽא (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no of the troops הָעָ֖ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock tasted טָעַ֥ם (ṭā·‘am) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2938: To taste, to perceive any food. לָֽחֶם׃ (lā·ḥem) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain Links 1 Samuel 14:24 NIV1 Samuel 14:24 NLT 1 Samuel 14:24 ESV 1 Samuel 14:24 NASB 1 Samuel 14:24 KJV 1 Samuel 14:24 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 14:24 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 14:24 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 14:24 French Bible 1 Samuel 14:24 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 14:24 The men of Israel were distressed that (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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