1 Samuel 14:30
How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?
Original Language Analysis
אַ֗ף
How much more
H637
אַ֗ף
How much more
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
1 of 17
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
כִּ֡י
H3588
כִּ֡י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לוּא֩
if haply
H3863
לוּא֩
if haply
Strong's:
H3863
Word #:
3 of 17
a conditional particle; if; by implication (interj. as a wish) would that!
הַיּוֹם֙
to day
H3117
הַיּוֹם֙
to day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 17
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הָעָ֔ם
the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
7 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 #:
10 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מָצָ֑א
which they found
H4672
מָצָ֑א
which they found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עַתָּ֛ה
H6258
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
רָבְתָ֥ה
for had there not been now a much greater
H7235
רָבְתָ֥ה
for had there not been now a much greater
Strong's:
H7235
Word #:
15 of 17
to increase (in whatever respect)
Historical Context
Ancient armies commonly relied on captured enemy supplies to sustain campaigns. Saul's prohibition of eating meant troops fought exhausted, limiting pursuit capacity. Jonathan's counterfactual reasoning - 'how much more' - was a common rhetorical strategy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does bad spiritual leadership limit what God's people could accomplish?
- What victories are lost because of unnecessary religious restrictions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?
Jonathan extends his critique: 'How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies?' He argues that the oath not only harmed the army but limited the victory. 'Had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?' The hypothetical suggests Saul's religious excess allowed enemy escape. Jonathan's military analysis exposes the practical consequences of impractical piety. True spiritual leadership strengthens rather than weakens God's people for their calling.