1 Samuel 14:37

Authorized King James Version

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And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּשְׁאַ֤ל asked H7592
וַיִּשְׁאַ֤ל asked
Strong's: H7592
Word #: 1 of 13
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
שָׁאוּל֙ And Saul H7586
שָׁאוּל֙ And Saul
Strong's: H7586
Word #: 2 of 13
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
בֵּֽאלֹהִ֔ים counsel of God H430
בֵּֽאלֹהִ֔ים counsel of God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 3 of 13
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
הַֽאֵרֵד֙ Shall I go down H3381
הַֽאֵרֵד֙ Shall I go down
Strong's: H3381
Word #: 4 of 13
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י after H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י after
Strong's: H310
Word #: 5 of 13
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים the Philistines H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים the Philistines
Strong's: H6430
Word #: 6 of 13
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
הֲתִתְּנֵ֖ם wilt thou deliver H5414
הֲתִתְּנֵ֖ם wilt thou deliver
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 7 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְּיַ֣ד them into the hand H3027
בְּיַ֣ד them into the hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 8 of 13
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
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 9 of 13
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְלֹ֥א H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 10 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עָנָ֖הוּ But he answered H6030
עָנָ֖הוּ But he answered
Strong's: H6030
Word #: 11 of 13
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
בַּיּ֥וֹם him not that day H3117
בַּיּ֥וֹם him not that day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 12 of 13
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
הַהֽוּא׃ H1931
הַהֽוּא׃
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 13 of 13
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

Analysis & Commentary

And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.

Saul's inquiry - 'Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel?' - receives no answer. Divine silence functions as divine communication. The notation 'he answered him not that day' indicates something is wrong. Saul interprets the silence as indicating sin within the camp rather than examining his own oath as the problem. His instinct to find fault elsewhere rather than within himself proves consistent.

Historical Context

Divine consultation through Urim and Thummim required yes/no answers that could remain unanswered if neither stone showed. This mechanism for divine guidance could register divine displeasure through silence. Saul's lack of answer indicated broken communication with God.

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