1 Samuel 14:44
And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה
do so
H6213
יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה
do so
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 11
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 11
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
וְכֹ֣ה
H3541
וְכֹ֣ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יוֹסִ֑ף
and more also
H3254
יוֹסִ֑ף
and more also
Strong's:
H3254
Word #:
7 of 11
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תָּמ֖וּת
die
H4191
תָּמ֖וּת
die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
9 of 11
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Cross References
1 Samuel 14:39For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.Ruth 1:17Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.1 Samuel 25:22So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
Historical Context
The oath formula was a serious self-imprecation. Saul essentially says, 'May God punish me if I do not execute Jonathan.' Ancient Near Eastern kings were bound by their oaths; failure to enforce them brought divine displeasure. Saul is trapped by his own words.
Questions for Reflection
- How do religious systems sometimes demand injustice in the name of consistency?
- When does commitment to maintaining vows become greater evil than breaking them?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.
Saul's verdict - 'God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan' - invokes divine sanction for executing his own son. The oath formula 'God do so and more also' was a self-curse promising divine punishment if the speaker failed to fulfill his vow. Saul compounds original folly with judicial murder. He will execute the battle's hero for eating honey he did not know was forbidden. Religious scrupulosity reaches its absurd extreme: killing the faithful to maintain the form of faithfulness.