1 Samuel 14:38

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the troops, and let us investigate how this sin has occurred today.

American Standard Version (1901)

And Saul said, Draw nigh hither, all ye chiefs of the people; and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.

Bible in Basic English

And Saul said, Come near, all you chiefs of the people, and let us get word from God and see in whom is this sin today.

Free Bible Version

So Saul gave the order, “All you army commanders, come here so we can investigate what sin has happened today.

King James (Authorized) Version

And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.

Translation for Translators

Then Saul summoned all the leaders of his army. He said to them, “I am sure that God has not answered me because someone has sinned. We must find out what sin someone has committed.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the people; learn and see how this sin has happened today.

Noah Webster Bible

And Saul said, Draw ye near hither all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.

World English Bible

Saul said, “Draw near here, all you chiefs of the people, and know and see in whom this sin has been today.

Young's Literal Translation

And Saul saith, 'Draw ye nigh hither all, the chiefs of the people, and know and see in what this sin hath been to-day;

Context

The People Save Jonathan

³⁷So Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You give them into the hand of Israel?” But God did not answer him that day.³⁸Therefore Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the troops, and let us investigate how this sin has occurred today. ³⁹As surely as the LORD who saves Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan, he must die!” But not one of the troops said a word.

Summary

This verse depicts a situation where King Saul seeks divine guidance through the Urim and Thummim to discern the reason for the silence of God in response to his inquiries. The use of the Urim and Thummim was a method of seeking God's will in ancient Israel. Saul's inquiry reflects his desire to understand and follow God's direction in making decisions. This passage highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance and the belief in His sovereignty over human affairs.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And Saul said, draw ye near hither all the chief of the people,.... Or, the corners of the peoples (g); the princes, as Jarchi interprets it: and so the Targum, the heads of the people, in allusion to the cornerstones in buildings, which are the ornament, strength, and cement of them, see Zac 10:4, though Abarbinel thinks the tribes themselves are meant, which lay encamped everyone in a corner by themselves, separated from one another; and these he would have brought together; not the heads only, but everyone, small and great, that it might be seen and known where the sin lay; but he should have observed, that the tribes of Israel were not now present with Saul, but a small number of them: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day; he concluded, from having no answer from the Lord, that sin had been committed, which was the cause of it; but never thought of his own rash oath, which was the cause of the people's sinning, and had brought his son into danger; nor the sin of the people in eating the flesh with the blood; nothing ran in his mind but the breach of the oath with which he had adjured the people, and this he was determined to find out, if possible. (g) "anguli populi", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.