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1 Samuel 14:37

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 14:37 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
1 Samuel 14:37 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
34And 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 Jehovah in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.
35And Saul built an altar unto Jehovah: the same was the first altar that he built unto Jehovah.
36And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and take spoil among 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.
37And 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.
38And Saul said, Draw nigh hither, all ye chiefs of the people; and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.
39For, as Jehovah liveth, who 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.
40Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Saul asked counsel of God, etc.] He agreed to the motion of the high priest, and asked counsel by Urim and Thummim; the Targum is, as before, “inquired by the Word of the Lord:” shall I go down after the Philistines? pursue after them in their flight to their own country, which, lying to the sea, was a descent: wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? what remain of them, otherwise a victory over them was obtained: but he answered him not that day; no answer was returned by Urim and Thummim, so that he was left in suspense whether he should pursue or no; the Targum is, “he received not his prayer that day;” this was treating him in a righteous manner; since he would not stay for…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Asked counsel - The technical phrase for inquiring of God by Urim and Thummim, and applied also to inquiry of other oracles. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“14:37-38 God made no reply: Neither the “no” lot nor the “yes” lot of the Urim and Thummim appeared.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Shall I go: Sa1 23:4, Sa1 23:9-12, Sa1 30:7, Sa1 30:8; Jdg 1:1, Jdg 20:18, Jdg 20:28; Sa2 5:19, Sa2 5:23; Kg1 22:5, Kg1 22:15 he answered: Sa1 28:6; Eze 14:3-5, Eze 20:3 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 14:38”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 14 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification