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.