36 Then Saul said , "Let us go down after the Philistines by night and take spoil among them until the morning light , and let us not leave a man of them." And they said , "Do whatever seems good to you." So the priest said , "Let us draw near to God here ." 37 Saul inquired of God , "Shall I go down after the Philistines ? Will You give them into the hand of Israel ?" But He did not answer him on that day . 38 Saul said , " Draw near here , all you chiefs of the people , and investigate and see how this sin has happened today . 39 "For as the Lord lives , who delivers Israel , though e it is in Jonathan my son , he shall surely e die ." But not one of all the people answered him. 40 Then he said to all Israel , "You shall be on one side and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side ." And the people said to Saul , "Do what seems good to you." 41 Therefore, Saul said to the Lord , the God of Israel , " Give a perfect lot." And Jonathan and Saul were taken , but the people escaped . 42 Saul said , "Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son ." And Jonathan was taken . 43 Then Saul said to Jonathan , " Tell me what you have done ." So Jonathan told him and said , " I indeed tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand . Here I am, I must die !" 44 Saul said , " May God do this to me and more also , for you shall surely die , Jonathan ." 45 But the people said to Saul , "Must Jonathan die , who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel ? Far from it! As the Lord lives , not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground , for he has worked with God this day ." So the people rescued Jonathan and he did not die . 46 Then Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines , and the Philistines went to their own place .
47 Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel , he fought against all his enemies on every side , against Moab , the sons of Ammon , Edom , the kings of Zobah , and the Philistines ; and wherever e he turned , he inflicted punishment . 48 He acted valiantly and defeated the Amalekites , and delivered Israel from the hands of those who plundered them. 49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan and Ishvi and Malchi-shua ; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab and the name of the younger Michal . 50 The name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz . And the name of the captain of his army was Abner the son of Ner , Saul's uncle . 51 Kish was the father of Saul , and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel . 52 Now the war against the Philistines was severe all the days of Saul ; and when Saul saw any mighty man or any valiant man , he attached him to his staff.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:36-52
Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:36-46
(Read 1 Samuel 14:36-46)
If God turns away our prayer, we have reason to suspect it is for some sin harboured in our hearts, which we should find out, that we may put it away, and put it to death. We should always first suspect and examine ourselves; but an unhumbled heart suspects every other person, and looks every where but at home for the sinful cause of calamity. Jonathan was discovered to be the offender. Those most indulgent to their own sins are most severe upon others; those who most disregard God's authority, are most impatient when their own commands are slighted. Such as cast abroad curses, endanger themselves and their families. What do we observe in the whole of Saul's behaviour on this occasion, but an impetuous, proud, malignant, impious disposition? And do we not in every instance perceive that man, left to himself, betrays the depravity of his nature, and is enslaved to the basest tempers.
Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:47-52
(Read 1 Samuel 14:47-52)
Here is a general account of Saul's court and camp. He had little reason to be proud of his royal dignity, nor had any of his neighbours cause to envy him, for he had but little enjoyment after he took the kingdom. And often men's earthly glory makes a blaze just before the dark night of disgrace and woe comes on them.