1 Samuel 14:34
And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.
Original Language Analysis
פֻּ֣צוּ
Disperse
H6327
פֻּ֣צוּ
Disperse
Strong's:
H6327
Word #:
3 of 30
to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
הָעָ֜ם
And all the people
H5971
הָעָ֜ם
And all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 30
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וַיַּגִּ֨שׁוּ
brought
H5066
וַיַּגִּ֨שׁוּ
brought
Strong's:
H5066
Word #:
7 of 30
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
אִ֣ישׁ
and every man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
and every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 30
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אִ֣ישׁ
and every man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
and every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
11 of 30
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בָּזֶה֙
H2088
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 30
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תֶחֶטְא֥וּ
and sin
H2398
תֶחֶטְא֥וּ
and sin
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
17 of 30
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
not against the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
not against the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
18 of 30
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַדָּ֑ם
with the blood
H1818
הַדָּ֑ם
with the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
21 of 30
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
וַיַּגִּ֨שׁוּ
brought
H5066
וַיַּגִּ֨שׁוּ
brought
Strong's:
H5066
Word #:
22 of 30
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
23 of 30
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֜ם
And all the people
H5971
הָעָ֜ם
And all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
24 of 30
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אִ֣ישׁ
and every man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
and every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
25 of 30
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בְיָ֛דוֹ
with him
H3027
בְיָ֛דוֹ
with him
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
27 of 30
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
הַלַּ֖יְלָה
that night
H3915
הַלַּ֖יְלָה
that night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
28 of 30
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
Historical Context
The dispersal of royal representatives throughout the camp to supervise proper slaughter shows organizational capability. Each person bringing their own animal for supervised slaughter prevented further violations. The administrative solution, however, did not address the oath that caused the problem.
Questions for Reflection
- When do administrative solutions mask spiritual failures?
- How can competent management coexist with deficient spiritual leadership?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.
Saul's instruction to 'Disperse yourselves among the people' and ensure proper slaughter demonstrates administrative competence. He solves the immediate problem: animals would now be killed properly. Yet the deeper issue - his oath's role in creating this crisis - goes unaddressed. Saul manages situations without examining himself. 'And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night' shows compliance with the king's corrective orders. Surface order is restored.