1 Samuel 14:1
New International Version
One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.

New Living Translation
One day Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to where the Philistines have their outpost.” But Jonathan did not tell his father what he was doing.

English Standard Version
One day Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.

Berean Standard Bible
One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But Jonathan did not tell his father.

King James Bible
Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.

New King James Version
Now it happened one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.

New American Standard Bible
Now the day came that Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come, and let’s cross over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.

NASB 1995
Now the day came that Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come and let us cross over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.

NASB 1977
Now the day came that Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come and let us cross over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on yonder side.” But he did not tell his father.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now the day came that Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come and let us cross over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.

Amplified Bible
One day Jonathan the son of Saul said to his young armor bearer, “Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.

Christian Standard Bible
That same day Saul’s son Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, “Come on, let’s cross over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” However, he did not tell his father.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
That same day Saul’s son Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, “Come on, let’s cross over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” However, he did not tell his father.

American Standard Version
Now it fell upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armor, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on yonder side. But he told not his father.

English Revised Version
Now it fell upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on yonder side. But he told not his father.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
One day Saul's son Jonathan said to his armorbearer, "Let's go to the Philistine military post on the other side." But Jonathan didn't tell his father [he was going].

Good News Translation
One day Jonathan said to the young man who carried his weapons, "Let's go across to the Philistine camp." But Jonathan did not tell his father Saul,

International Standard Version
One day Jonathan told his armor bearer, "Come, let's go over to the Philistine garrison which is on the other side," but he did not tell his father.

Majority Standard Bible
One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, ?Come, let us cross over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.? But Jonathan did not tell his father.

NET Bible
Then one day Jonathan son of Saul said to his armor bearer, "Come on, let's go over to the Philistine garrison that is opposite us." But he did not let his father know.

New Heart English Bible
Now it happened one day that Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the young man who carried his armor, "Come, let?s go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side." But he did not tell his father.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the young man that bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of the Philistines, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.

World English Bible
Now it happened on a day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come! Let’s go over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he didn’t tell his father.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the day comes that Jonathan son of Saul says to the young man carrying his weapons, “Come, and we pass over to the station of the Philistines, which [is] on the other side of this”; and he has not declared [it] to his father.

Young's Literal Translation
And the day cometh that Jonathan son of Saul saith unto the young man bearing his weapons, 'Come, and we pass over unto the station of the Philistines, which is on the other side of this;' and to his father he hath not declared it.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be the day, and Jonathan son of Saul, will say to the boy lifting up his arms, Come, and we will pass over to the station of the rovers, which is from beyond this And to his father he announced not.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now it came to pass one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man that bore his armour: Come, and let us go over to the garrison of the Philistines, which is on the other side of yonder place. But he told not this to his father.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And it happened that, on a certain day, Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the youth who bore his armor, “Come, and let us go over to the garrison of the Philistines, which is across from that place.” But he did not reveal this to his father.

New American Bible
One day Jonathan, son of Saul, said to his armor-bearer, “Come, let us go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not inform his father—

New Revised Standard Version
One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armor, ?Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.? But he did not tell his father.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
NOW it came to pass one day, Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison that is on the other side yonder. But he did not tell his father.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it was day and Jonathan son of Shaul said to the boy bearing his weapons: “Come, we will pass to the garrison of the Philistines to the other far side.” And he did not tell his father
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now it fell upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bore his armour: 'Come and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on yonder side. But he told not his father.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And when a certain day arrived, Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man that bore his armour, Come, and let us go over to Messab of the Philistines that is on the other side yonder; but he told not his father.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jonathan's Victory over the Philistines
1 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But Jonathan did not tell his father. 2Meanwhile, Saul was staying under the pomegranate tree in Migron on the outskirts of Gibeah. And the troops who were with him numbered about six hundred men,…

Cross References
Judges 7:9-15
That night the LORD said to Gideon, “Get up and go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand. / But if you are afraid to do so, then go down to the camp with your servant Purah / and listen to what they are saying. Then your hands will be strengthened to attack the camp.” So he went with Purah his servant to the outposts where armed men were guarding the camp. ...

1 Samuel 13:3-4
Then Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. So Saul blew the ram’s horn throughout the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!” / And all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked an outpost of the Philistines, and now Israel has become a stench to the Philistines!” Then the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.

2 Kings 7:3-7
Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate, and they said to one another, “Why just sit here until we die? / If we say, ‘Let us go into the city,’ we will die there from the famine in the city; but if we sit here, we will also die. So come now, let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they let us live, we will live; if they kill us, we will die.” / So they arose at twilight and went to the camp of the Arameans. But when they came to the outskirts of the camp, there was not a man to be found. ...

1 Samuel 13:22-23
So on the day of battle not a sword or spear could be found in the hands of the troops with Saul and Jonathan; only Saul and his son Jonathan had weapons. / And a garrison of the Philistines had gone out to the pass at Michmash.

1 Samuel 18:1-4
After David had finished speaking with Saul, the souls of Jonathan and David were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as himself. / And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. / Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. ...

1 Samuel 14:6-14
Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” / His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” / “Very well,” said Jonathan, “we will cross over toward these men and show ourselves to them. ...

1 Samuel 17:32-37
And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail on account of this Philistine. Your servant will go and fight him!” / But Saul replied, “You cannot go out against this Philistine to fight him. You are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” / David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, ...

2 Samuel 10:12
Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

1 Samuel 14:39-45
As 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. / Then Saul said to all Israel, “You stand on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will stand on the other side.” “Do what seems good to you,” the troops replied. / So Saul said to the LORD, the God of Israel, “Why have You not answered Your servant this day? If the fault is with me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim, but if the fault is with the men of Israel, respond with Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were selected, but the people were cleared of the charge. ...

1 Samuel 14:24-30
Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food. / Then all the troops entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground. / And when they entered the forest and saw the flowing honey, not one of them put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. ...

1 Samuel 14:16-23
Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction, / Saul said to the troops who were with him, “Call the roll and see who has left us.” And when they had called the roll, they saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. / Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.) ...

1 Samuel 14:8-10
“Very well,” said Jonathan, “we will cross over toward these men and show ourselves to them. / If they say, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stay where we are and will not go up to them. / But if they say, ‘Come on up,’ then we will go up, because this will be our sign that the LORD has delivered them into our hands.”

1 Samuel 14:11-12
So the two of them showed themselves to the outpost of the Philistines, who exclaimed, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes in which they were hiding!” / So the men of the outpost called out to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come on up, and we will teach you a lesson!” “Follow me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.”

1 Samuel 14:13-14
So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. And the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off. / In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in about half an acre of land.

1 Samuel 14:15
Then panic struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked, and panic spread from God.


Treasury of Scripture

Now it came to pass on a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man that bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.

A.

1 Samuel 14:39-45
For, 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…

1 Samuel 13:2,22
Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent…

1 Samuel 18:1-4
And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul…

he told not

1 Samuel 25:19
And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.

Judges 6:27
Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.

Judges 14:6
And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

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1 Samuel 14
1. Jonathan goes and miraculously smites the Philistine's garrison
15. A divine terror makes them beat themselves
17. Saul, not staying the priest's answer, sets on them
21. The captivated Hebrews, and the hidden Israelites, join against them.
24. Saul's unadvised adjuration hinders the victory
31. He restrains the people from eating blood
35. He builds an altar
37. Jonathan, taken by lot, is save by the people
47. Saul's victories, strength, and family














One day
This phrase sets the stage for a significant event, suggesting divine timing and intervention. In the Hebrew context, "one day" often marks a pivotal moment orchestrated by God. It reminds us that God can use any ordinary day to bring about extraordinary change, encouraging believers to remain vigilant and expectant for God's timing in their lives.

Jonathan son of Saul
Jonathan, whose name means "Yahweh has given," is introduced as the son of Saul, Israel's first king. His identity is crucial, as it highlights his royal lineage and the expectations placed upon him. Jonathan's faith and courage often contrast with Saul's disobedience, serving as a model of godly leadership and trust in God's promises.

said to the young man bearing his armor
The "young man" or armor-bearer was a trusted companion, often chosen for his loyalty and bravery. This relationship reflects the importance of godly companionship and mentorship. Jonathan's initiative to speak to his armor-bearer demonstrates leadership and the value of sharing one's vision with trusted allies in faith.

Come, let us cross over
This invitation signifies a call to action and faith. "Cross over" implies moving from a place of safety to one of potential danger, symbolizing the believer's journey of faith and trust in God's protection. Jonathan's words inspire believers to step out in faith, trusting God to lead them through challenges.

to the Philistine outpost on the other side
The Philistines were a constant threat to Israel, representing opposition and spiritual warfare. The "outpost" signifies a strategic military position, and Jonathan's desire to confront it shows his boldness and reliance on God rather than human strength. This phrase encourages believers to confront spiritual strongholds with confidence in God's power.

But he did not tell his father
This decision not to inform Saul, his father, suggests a lack of trust in Saul's leadership or a desire to act independently under God's guidance. It highlights the tension between divine guidance and human authority. For believers, it underscores the importance of discerning God's will, even when it means stepping out in faith without the approval of earthly authorities.

(1) Now it came to pass.--As if in strong contrast to Saul--who at Gilgal openly made light of the supernatural assistance promised by Samuel, showing plainly by his conduct on that memorable occasion that he hardly believed in the part the invisible King had laken in the history of the people--the action of Jonathan at Michmash, which led to the rout of the Philistine army, is related with some detail. Jonathan was the typical warrior of that wild and adventurous age--recklessly brave, chivalrous, and generous, possessing evidently vast strength and unusual skill in all warlike exercises. He was animated with an intense faith in the willingness and power of the Eternal to help Israel. This mighty faith in the ever-presence of the God who chose Israel, was the mainspring of the victorious power of all the great Hebrew heroes--of men like Joshua and Gideon, Barak and Samson. David, the greatest of them all, we shall see, possessed this sublime spirit of faith in a pre-eminent degree. But King Saul utterly lacked it; hence his rejection.

The young prince's heart burned within him at the degradation which the Philistine occupation brought upon the people. His father was too prudent to engage in battle with his own feeble and disorganised forces, so Jonathan determined, with the help of the Divine Friend of Israel, to strike a blow at these insolent foes. Under any other circumstances--without the consciousness of supernatural help--to attempt such a feat of arms would have been madness; but Jonathan had an inward conviction that an unseen Arm would hold a shield before him. It is noticeable that he never communicated his desperate purpose to his father, Saul.

Verse 1. - Now it came to pass upon a day. Literally, "And there was a day, and Jonathan," etc.; or, as we should say, And it happened one day that Jonathan. The phrase means that Jonathan's brave feat took place not many days after the garrison had occupied the cliff, probably only two or three, but without definitely stating how many. He told not his father. Not only because Saul would have forbidden so rash an enterprise, but because secrecy was essential to any chance of success: probably too the purpose came upon him as an inspiration from above.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
One day
הַיּ֗וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

Jonathan
יוֹנָתָ֤ן (yō·w·nā·ṯān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3129: Jonathan

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Saul
שָׁאוּל֙ (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the young man
הַנַּ֙עַר֙ (han·na·‘ar)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

bearing
נֹשֵׂ֣א (nō·śê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

his armor,
כֵלָ֔יו (ḵê·lāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus

“Come,
לְכָ֗ה (lə·ḵāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

let us cross over
וְנַעְבְּרָה֙ (wə·na‘·bə·rāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the Philistine
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (pə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

outpost
מַצַּ֣ב (maṣ·ṣaḇ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4673: A fixed spot, an office, a military post

on the other side.”
מֵעֵ֣בֶר (mê·‘ê·ḇer)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5676: A region across, on the opposite side

But [Jonathan] did not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

tell
הִגִּֽיד׃ (hig·gîḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

his father.
וּלְאָבִ֖יו (ū·lə·’ā·ḇîw)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father


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OT History: 1 Samuel 14:1 Now it fell on a day that (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 13:23
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