1 Samuel 14:17
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.
Original Language Analysis
לָעָם֙
unto the people
H5971
לָעָם֙
unto the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 17
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אִתּ֔וֹ
H854
אִתּ֔וֹ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וַֽיִּפְקְד֔וּ
from us And when they had numbered
H6485
וַֽיִּפְקְד֔וּ
from us And when they had numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
6 of 17
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
נָ֣א
H4994
נָ֣א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
7 of 17
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
וּרְא֔וּ
now and see
H7200
וּרְא֔וּ
now and see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
8 of 17
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
מִ֖י
H4310
מִ֖י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
9 of 17
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
הָלַ֣ךְ
who is gone
H1980
הָלַ֣ךְ
who is gone
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
10 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
מֵֽעִמָּ֑נוּ
H5973
מֵֽעִמָּ֑נוּ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
11 of 17
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וַֽיִּפְקְד֔וּ
from us And when they had numbered
H6485
וַֽיִּפְקְד֔וּ
from us And when they had numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
12 of 17
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
Historical Context
Military commanders regularly accounted for their forces. Saul's numbering reveals both proper procedure and delayed response. The time taken to number the 600 men while battle raged demonstrates misplaced priorities. Jonathan's absence explained the mysterious Philistine collapse.
Questions for Reflection
- How can proper procedures become excuses for avoiding faithful action?
- What does Saul's ignorance of Jonathan's action reveal about his leadership?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
Saul's command to 'Number now, and see who is gone from us' seeks information when action is needed. The discovery that 'Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there' reveals Saul was ignorant of the very initiative that produced the victory he now observes. The king sits counting while his son fights. This administrative response to divine intervention continues Saul's pattern of form over faith. He manages logistics while God acts through the faith-filled.