1 Samuel 14:47
So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.
Original Language Analysis
לָכַ֥ד
took
H3920
לָכַ֥ד
took
Strong's:
H3920
Word #:
2 of 20
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
over Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
over Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
סָבִ֣יב׀
on every side
H5439
סָבִ֣יב׀
on every side
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
7 of 20
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
בְּֽכָל
H3605
בְּֽכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּמוֹאָ֣ב׀
against Moab
H4124
בְּמוֹאָ֣ב׀
against Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
10 of 20
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
וּבִבְנֵֽי
and against the children
H1121
וּבִבְנֵֽי
and against the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עַמּ֨וֹן
of Ammon
H5983
עַמּ֨וֹן
of Ammon
Strong's:
H5983
Word #:
12 of 20
ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country
וּבֶֽאֱד֜וֹם
and against Edom
H123
וּבֶֽאֱד֜וֹם
and against Edom
Strong's:
H123
Word #:
13 of 20
edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him
וּבַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
and against the Philistines
H6430
וּבַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
and against the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
16 of 20
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וּבְכֹ֥ל
H3605
וּבְכֹ֥ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
2 Samuel 10:6And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ish-tob twelve thousand men.1 Samuel 14:52And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.
Historical Context
The list of enemies represents threats from every direction: Moab and Ammon to the east, Edom to the south, Zobah (Aramean kingdom) to the north, Philistines to the west, and Amalek to the south. Saul's military successes secured Israel's borders during his reign.
Questions for Reflection
- Can outward success coexist with inward failure?
- How should we evaluate leaders who achieve results while demonstrating character flaws?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.
The summary of Saul's military campaigns - against Moab, Ammon, Edom, Zobah, the Philistines, and Amalek - demonstrates his general effectiveness as a warrior king. The phrase 'took the kingdom over Israel' suggests his reign brought order after the judges' chaos. His ability to 'vex' (yarsha, 'condemn' or 'treat as guilty') his enemies indicates military success. Yet this summary follows immediately after failure, creating tension between public achievement and private dysfunction.