24 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 e of the people tasted food . 25 All the people of the land entered the forest , and there was honey on the ground e . 26 When the people entered the forest , behold , there was a flow of honey ; but no man put his hand to his mouth , for the people feared the oath . 27 But Jonathan had not heard when his father put the people under oath ; therefore, he put out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb e , and put his hand to his mouth , and his eyes brightened . 28 Then one of the people said , "Your father strictly put the people under oath , saying , 'Cursed be the man who eats food today .' " And the people were weary . 29 Then Jonathan said , " My father has troubled the land . See now , how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey . 30 "How much e more e , if only the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found ! For now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:24-30
Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:24-35
(Read 1 Samuel 14:24-35)
Saul's severe order was very unwise; if it gained time, it lost strength for the pursuit. Such is the nature of our bodies, that daily work cannot be done without daily bread, which therefore our Father in heaven graciously gives. Saul was turning aside from God, and now he begins to build altars, being then most zealous, as many are, for the form of godliness when he was denying the power of it.