And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.

1 SAMUEL 14:36KJV
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1 Samuel 14:36 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 14:36 mean?

1 Samuel 14:36 shows Saul proposing to attack the Philistines during the night and continue fighting until morning, aiming to leave none of them alive. Saul’s men agree to his plan, but the priest suggests that they should first seek God’s guidance before moving forward.

In this scene, Saul is speaking to his army after a day of battle against the Philistines. Saul wants to press the advantage by launching a night attack, but the priest—likely Ahijah—reminds Saul to consult God before acting. This moment highlights the tension between human plans and the need to seek God’s direction, especially in critical decisions during warfare.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 14:36

  • "Let us draw near" (נִקְרְבָה־נָּא, niq'rəvah-nā): This phrase, spoken by the priest, means to approach or come close, often used for approaching God in prayer or inquiry. It emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s will before taking action.
  • "Spoil" (בָּזָה, bazah): This word means to plunder or take goods by force. Saul’s intent is not just to defeat the Philistines but also to take their possessions, showing the totality of his plan.
  • "Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee" (עֲשֵׂה כָּל־הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינֶיךָ, ‘aseh kol-haṭṭov bə‘einekha): This phrase means to do whatever seems right or good in your eyes. It shows the soldiers’ willingness to follow Saul’s judgment, but also hints at a lack of independent seeking of God’s will.

Why 1 Samuel 14:36 matters

  • This verse highlights a key moment where human initiative is checked by a reminder to seek God’s guidance, showing the role of spiritual discernment in leadership.
  • The priest’s intervention connects to a larger theme in 1 Samuel, where Saul often acts impulsively without waiting for God’s direction, which leads to later consequences.
  • The verse sets up the following events, where seeking God’s will becomes crucial to the outcome, and it underscores the importance of spiritual leadership alongside military strategy.

Where else these words appear

“hither” Hebrew H1988 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 16:13 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
  • Judges 20:7 Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel.
  • 1 Samuel 14:38 And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.

“spoil” Hebrew H962 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 34:27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
  • 2 Chronicles 14:14 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
  • Isaiah 42:22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.

“light” Hebrew H216 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
  • Job 36:32 With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.
  • Isaiah 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

“leave” Hebrew H7604 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 7:23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
  • Joshua 13:1 Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.
  • Nehemiah 1:2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.