1 Samuel 14:47
New International Version
After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them.

New Living Translation
Now when Saul had secured his grasp on Israel’s throne, he fought against his enemies in every direction—against Moab, Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. And wherever he turned, he was victorious.

English Standard Version
When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the Ammonites, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned he routed them.

Berean Standard Bible
After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
So Saul established his sovereignty over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the people of Ammon, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he harassed them.

New American Standard Bible
Now when Saul had taken control of the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, the sons of Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines; and wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment.

NASB 1995
Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, the sons of Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines; and wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment.

NASB 1977
Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, the sons of Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines; and wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, and he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, the sons of Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines; and wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment.

Amplified Bible
When Saul assumed control of the kingdom of Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side: Moab, the sons (descendants) of Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment.

Christian Standard Bible
When Saul assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies in every direction: against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he caused havoc.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Saul assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies in every direction: against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he caused havoc.

American Standard Version
Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he 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 put them to the worse.

English Revised Version
Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Saul had taken over the kingdom of Israel, he fought against his enemies on every side-against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he was victorious.

Good News Translation
After Saul became king of Israel, he fought all his enemies everywhere: the people of Moab, of Ammon, and of Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he fought he was victorious.

International Standard Version
When Saul became king over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Everywhere he turned he was victorious.

Majority Standard Bible
After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them.

NET Bible
After Saul had secured his royal position over Israel, he fought against all their enemies on all sides--the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. In every direction that he turned he was victorious.

New Heart English Bible
Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the people of Ammon, and against Edom, and against Beth Rehob, and against the king of Zobah, and against the Philistines; and wherever he turned, he was victorious.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 harassed them.

World English Bible
Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he 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. Wherever he turned himself, he defeated them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Saul captured the kingdom over Israel, and he fights all around against all his enemies, against Moab, and against the sons of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines, and wherever he turns he distresses [them].

Young's Literal Translation
and Saul captured the kingdom over Israel, and he fighteth round about against all his enemies, against Moab, and against the Bene-Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines, and whithersoever he turneth he doth vex them.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and he will fight round about against all his enemies, against Moab and against the sons of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the rovers: and in all which he will turn he will disturb.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Saul having his kingdom established over Israel, fought against all his enemies round about, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and Edom, and the kings of Soba, and the Philistines; and whithersoever he turned himself, he overcame.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Saul, his kingdom having been confirmed over Israel, was fighting against all his enemies on all sides: against Moab, and the sons of Ammon, and Edom, and the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. And wherever he turned himself, he was successful.

New American Bible
After taking possession of the kingship over Israel, Saul waged war on its enemies all around—Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he was successful

New Revised Standard Version
When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—against Moab, against the Ammonites, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines; wherever he turned he routed them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Saul took the kingship over Israel, and he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab and against the children of Ammon and against Edom and against the kingdom of Zobah and against the Philistines; and wherever he turned he was victorious.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shaul seized the Kingdom of Israel and he fought in his surroundings and with all his enemies, with Moab and among the sons of Amon, and with Edom and with the kingdom of Tsuba, and with the Philistines, and wherever he turned he was conquering
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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 put them to the worse.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Saul received the kingdom, by lot he inherits the office of ruling over Israel: and he fought against all his enemies round about, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against the children of Edom, and against Baethaeor, and against the king of Suba, and against the Philistines: whithersoever he turned, he was victorious.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul's Victories
47After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side— the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them. 48He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 7:13-14
So the Philistines were subdued, and they stopped invading the territory of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. / The cities from Ekron to Gath, which the Philistines had taken, were restored to Israel, who also delivered the surrounding territory from the hand of the Philistines. And there was peace between the Israelites and the Amorites.

1 Samuel 15:18
and sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and devote to destruction the sinful Amalekites. Fight against them until you have wiped them out.’

1 Samuel 28:18
Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today.

2 Samuel 8:11-12
and King David dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he had subdued— / from Edom and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

2 Samuel 22:44-46
You have delivered me from the strife of my people; You have preserved me as the head of nations; a people I had not known shall serve me. / Foreigners cower before me; when they hear me, they obey me. / Foreigners lose heart and come trembling from their strongholds.

1 Kings 11:14-25
Then the LORD raised up against Solomon an adversary, Hadad the Edomite, from the royal line of Edom. / Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom. / Joab and all Israel had stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom. ...

2 Kings 14:25-27
This Jeroboam restored the boundary of Israel from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word that the LORD, the God of Israel, had spoken through His servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath-hepher. / For the LORD saw that the affliction of the Israelites, both slave and free, was very bitter. There was no one to help Israel, / and since the LORD had said that He would not blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash.

2 Chronicles 20:29-30
And the fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. / Then Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

Psalm 18:37-42
I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back until they were consumed. / I crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet. / You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me. ...

Psalm 60:8-12
Moab is My washbasin; upon Edom I toss My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.” / Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? / Have You not rejected us, O God? Will You no longer march out, O God, with our armies? ...

Isaiah 9:4
For as in the day of Midian You have shattered the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor.

Isaiah 14:29-31
Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. For a viper will spring from the root of the snake, and a flying serpent from its egg. / Then the firstborn of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety, but I will kill your root by famine, and your remnant will be slain. / Wail, O gate! Cry out, O city! Melt away, all you Philistines! For a cloud of smoke comes from the north, and there are no stragglers in its ranks.

Jeremiah 48:40-47
For this is what the LORD says: “Behold, an eagle swoops down and spreads his wings against Moab. / Kirioth has been taken, and the strongholds seized. In that day the heart of Moab’s warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor. / Moab will be destroyed as a nation because he vaunted himself against the LORD. ...

Jeremiah 49:1-6
Concerning the Ammonites, this is what the LORD says: “Has Israel no sons? Is he without heir? Why then has Milcom taken possession of Gad? Why have his people settled in their cities? / Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will sound the battle cry against Rabbah of the Ammonites. It will become a heap of ruins, and its villages will be burned. Then Israel will drive out their dispossessors, says the LORD. / Wail, O Heshbon, for Ai has been destroyed; cry out, O daughters of Rabbah! Put on sackcloth and mourn; run back and forth within your walls, for Milcom will go into exile together with his priests and officials. ...

Ezekiel 25:15-17
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because the Philistines acted in vengeance, taking vengeance with malice of soul to destroy Judah with ancient hostility, / therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant along the coast. / I will execute great vengeance against them with furious reproof. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I lay My vengeance upon them.’”


Treasury of Scripture

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 wherever he turned himself, he vexed them.

Saul

1 Samuel 13:1
Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,

fought

2 Kings 14:27
And the LORD said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash.

Ammon

1 Samuel 11:11
And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.

1 Samuel 12:2
And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.

zobah

2 Samuel 10:6
And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.

1 Kings 11:23
And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah:

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Ammon Children Edom Enemies Harassed Israel Kingdom Kings Moab Philistines Saul Side Turned Vexed Wherever Whithersoever Worse Zobah
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Ammon Children Edom Enemies Harassed Israel Kingdom Kings Moab Philistines Saul Side Turned Vexed Wherever Whithersoever Worse Zobah
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














After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel
The phrase marks a significant transition in Israel's history, as Saul becomes the first king. The Hebrew root for "assumed" (מָלַךְ, malak) implies a divine appointment and authority. Saul's kingship represents a shift from theocratic judges to a monarchy, reflecting Israel's desire to be like other nations (1 Samuel 8:5). This transition is pivotal, as it sets the stage for the complex relationship between divine will and human leadership.

he fought against all his enemies on every side
This phrase highlights Saul's role as a military leader. The Hebrew word for "fought" (נִלְחַם, nilcham) suggests not just physical battles but also spiritual and moral struggles. Saul's reign is marked by constant warfare, symbolizing the ongoing struggle between God's people and the surrounding pagan nations. This reflects the broader biblical theme of spiritual warfare, where believers are called to stand firm against the forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12).

against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines
Each of these nations has a distinct historical and theological significance. Moab and Ammon, descendants of Lot, often opposed Israel (Genesis 19:37-38). Edom, descended from Esau, represents a longstanding familial rivalry (Genesis 25:30). Zobah, a lesser-known Aramean kingdom, signifies the broader regional conflicts. The Philistines, Israel's perennial foes, symbolize the persistent threat of idolatry and moral corruption. Saul's battles against these nations underscore the ongoing conflict between God's covenant people and the surrounding pagan cultures.

Wherever he turned, he routed them
The phrase "routed them" (יַכֵּם, yakeim) indicates decisive victories. Saul's military success is attributed to divine favor, as God empowers him to defeat Israel's enemies. This reflects the biblical principle that victory comes from the Lord (Proverbs 21:31). However, Saul's reliance on military might foreshadows his eventual downfall, as he increasingly trusts in his own strength rather than God's guidance. This serves as a cautionary tale for believers to depend on God's power rather than human abilities.

(47) So Saul took the kingdom over Israel.--Some expositors closely connect this verse with the successful termination of the Philistine war, considering that it was through this great victory over the nation which had so long harassed and impoverished Israel that Saul really acquired for the first time the regal authority over all Israel, and that previously his rule had only been acknowledged in certain of the tribes. It is, however, better to consider the statement contained in this verse as simply a general view of Saul's reign, which was a reign of perpetual wars. The words, then, of our verse are simply introductory to the list of wars waged from the very beginning of his government. It should be observed that this view is supported by the mention of the Ammonite war, which took place a considerable time before the events just related. Such a mention would, therefore, be out of place, unless we take this verse as containing a general statement--in other words, "Saul assumed the reins of government, and during his reign he waged the following wars."

On every side . . . Moab . . . Ammon . . . Edom . . . Zobah . . . Philistines.--This enumeration of the nations with whom he fought literally included the countries on every side of the Land of Promise. Moab and Ammon bounded the Israelites on the east; Edom on the south; the Philistines on the west, along the coast of the Mediterranean; while Zobah was a district of Syria on the north-east of the territory of the twelve tribes, lying between the Euphrates and the Syrian Orontes.

He vexed them.--The exact sense of the Hebrew word yar'shia, rendered in our version "he vexed," has puzzled all commentators. The LXX. evidently read another word here, as they translate it by es?zeto, "he was preserved." The majority of the versions and Gesenius, however, give the real sense: "Whithersoever he (Saul) turned himself lie was victorious." Luther's rendering is scholarly: "Whithersoever he turned he inflicted punishment," and is adopted by Keil.

Verse 47. - So Saul took the kingdom. Instead of so the Hebrew has and, rightly; for this is no result or consequence of Saul's victory over the Philistines, but a mere historical introduction to the summary of his wars. The more correct translation would be, "When Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he fought," etc. Saul's reign was valiant and full of military glory. He was, in fact, in war all that the people had longed for, and not only. did he gain independence for Israel.. but laid the foundation of the vast empire of David and Solomon. But it is not the purpose of Holy, Scripture to give us the history of all Saul s valiant exploits, but only of his moral probation and failure. Of wars we read more than enough in profane history; here we read of the formation of character, and how a hero in the midst of noble and worthy feats of arms may yet lose something nobler and worthier - the favour of God. On every side. Moab and Ammon were on the east, Edom on the south, Zobah on the northeast, and the Philistines on the west. Zobah lay beyond Damascus, and, from the accounts given in 2 Samuel 8:3-8; 2 Samuel 10:6, must have been a powerful state. He vexed them. The verb is a judicial one, used of punishing the guilty, and might be translated "he chastised them." The Syriac and Vulgate give the real sense - "he was victorious."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
After Saul
וְשָׁא֛וּל (wə·šā·’ūl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

had assumed
לָכַ֥ד (lā·ḵaḏ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3920: To catch, to capture, occupy, to choose, to cohere

the kingship
הַמְּלוּכָ֖ה (ham·mə·lū·ḵāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4410: Something ruled, a realm

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

he fought
וַיִּלָּ֣חֶם (way·yil·lā·ḥem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

against all
בְּֽכָל־ (bə·ḵāl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

his enemies
אֹיְבָ֡יו (’ō·yə·ḇāw)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary

on every side—
סָבִ֣יב ׀ (sā·ḇîḇ)
Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

the Moabites,
בְּמוֹאָ֣ב ׀ (bə·mō·w·’āḇ)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124: Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled

the Ammonites,
וּבִבְנֵי־ (ū·ḇiḇ·nê-)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

the Edomites,
וּבֶאֱד֜וֹם (ū·ḇe·’ĕ·ḏō·wm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 123: The name of a condiment

the kings
וּבְמַלְכֵ֤י (ū·ḇə·mal·ḵê)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Zobah,
צוֹבָה֙ (ṣō·w·ḇāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6678: Zobah -- an Aramean (Syrian) kingdom

and the Philistines.
וּבַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (ū·ḇap·pə·liš·tîm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

Wherever
וּבְכֹ֥ל (ū·ḇə·ḵōl)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

he turned,
יִפְנֶ֖ה (yip̄·neh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look

he routed them.
יַרְשִֽׁיעַ׃ (yar·šî·a‘)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7561: To be, wrong, to disturb, violate


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OT History: 1 Samuel 14:47 Now when Saul had taken the kingdom (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 14:46
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