And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.

1 SAMUEL 14:31KJV
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1 Samuel 14:31 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 14:31 mean?

1 Samuel 14:31 describes how the Israelite army struck down the Philistines that day, pursuing them from Michmash to Aijalon, and how the Israelite people became extremely exhausted from the battle. The verse highlights both the military success and the physical toll it took on the soldiers.

This verse is part of the story where Saul’s army, led by his son Jonathan’s earlier actions, is pressing the advantage against the Philistines. The pursuit covers a significant distance, showing the intensity of the conflict and the determination of the Israelites. The mention of the people being "very faint" sets up the next events, where their exhaustion leads to further challenges.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 14:31

  • "smote" (נָכָה, nakah) means to strike or defeat decisively; here, it emphasizes the thoroughness of the Israelites’ attack on the Philistines.
  • "very" (מְאֹד, me’od) intensifies the description of their exhaustion, showing that the people were not just tired but utterly worn out.
  • "faint" (עָף, ‘aph) means to be weary or exhausted, highlighting the physical limits reached by the soldiers after such a long and hard pursuit.

Why 1 Samuel 14:31 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Israelites’ victory was hard-won and came at a significant physical cost, not just a simple or easy triumph.
  • The exhaustion of the people connects directly to the following verses, where their weariness leads to actions that create further tension in the story.
  • Understanding the distance from Michmash to Aijalon and the state of the people helps readers grasp the scale of the battle and the human element in the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“Aijalon” Hebrew H357 · used in 10 verses

  • Joshua 10:12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
  • Judges 1:35 But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries.
  • 1 Chronicles 8:13 Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath:

“Michmash” Hebrew H4363 · used in 11 verses

  • 1 Samuel 13:2 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 13:16 And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
  • Ezra 2:27 The men of Michmas, an hundred twenty and two.

“faint” Hebrew H5774 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 1:20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
  • Psalms 18:10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
  • Isaiah 14:29 Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.