1 Samuel 14:36
And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.
Original Language Analysis
נֵֽרְדָ֣ה
Let us go down
H3381
נֵֽרְדָ֣ה
Let us go down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
3 of 26
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
אַֽחֲרֵי֩
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵי֩
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
4 of 26
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
פְלִשְׁתִּ֨ים׀
the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּ֨ים׀
the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
5 of 26
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
לַ֜יְלָה
by night
H3915
לַ֜יְלָה
by night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
6 of 26
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
9 of 26
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
א֣וֹר
light
H216
א֣וֹר
light
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
10 of 26
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
הַבֹּ֗קֶר
them until the morning
H1242
הַבֹּ֗קֶר
them until the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
11 of 26
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נַשְׁאֵ֤ר
and let us not leave
H7604
נַשְׁאֵ֤ר
and let us not leave
Strong's:
H7604
Word #:
13 of 26
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
אִ֔ישׁ
a man
H376
אִ֔ישׁ
a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
15 of 26
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)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַטּ֥וֹב
good
H2896
הַטּ֥וֹב
good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
18 of 26
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ
whatsoever seemeth
H5869
בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ
whatsoever seemeth
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
19 of 26
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
עֲשֵׂ֑ה
Do
H6213
עֲשֵׂ֑ה
Do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
20 of 26
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
22 of 26
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
Historical Context
Night attacks were risky in ancient warfare due to coordination difficulties, but could achieve surprise. The priest's intervention slowed Saul's impulsive military plan, introducing the possibility of divine guidance into human strategy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does impulsive religious activity differ from genuine God-seeking?
- What is the value of spiritual counsel that slows hasty decisions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.
Saul proposes night attack: 'Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light.' The military aggressiveness contrasts with his earlier passivity (verse 2). The priest's counsel to 'draw near hither unto God' suggests need for divine guidance before such action. Saul's willingness to consult God - 'Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee' - appears appropriately submissive. The pattern of seeking God after decision, rather than before, continues.