What does 1 Samuel 14:45 mean?

"And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not." - 1 Samuel 14:45

1 Samuel 14:45 - "And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not."

The Bible verse 1 Samuel 14:45 in the King James Version reads, "And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not." This verse comes from the Old Testament and is part of the narrative of Saul's reign as the first king of Israel.

The context of this passage is set during a battle between the Israelites and the Philistines. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, had displayed great courage and faith in God by leading a victorious attack against the Philistine army. However, because of a rash oath made by Saul earlier in the day, the people were ready to put Jonathan to death for breaking the oath by eating honey.

This verse addresses several important themes, the first of which is the tension between human authority and God's sovereignty. Throughout the story of Saul's reign, there is an ongoing struggle between Saul's will and God's will. In this case, Saul's oath nearly resulted in the death of his own son, but the people recognized that Jonathan's actions had been in alignment with God's plan for the victory of Israel. This tension between human authority and divine will is a recurring theme in the Bible, and this verse serves as a reminder that God's purposes will ultimately prevail, even in the face of human error.

Another theme present in this verse is the idea of salvation and deliverance. The people acknowledge that Jonathan has been instrumental in bringing about a great salvation for Israel through his bravery and obedience to God. This echoes the larger narrative of the Old Testament, where God consistently delivers his people from their enemies and establishes his presence among them. Jonathan's actions in this passage can be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate salvation and deliverance that God offers through Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

Furthermore, the symbolism in this verse is significant. Jonathan, as the son of the king, represents the potential for a new generation of leadership and faithfulness to God. His rescue from death by the people reflects the importance of preserving that potential for the future of Israel. Additionally, the mention of not a single hair of Jonathan's head falling to the ground is a symbol of divine protection and care. This language is reminiscent of Jesus' teaching about God's intimate knowledge and care for every individual (Matthew 10:30), emphasizing the depth of God's concern for his people.

In conclusion, 1 Samuel 14:45 is a rich and complex verse that encapsulates important themes of divine sovereignty, human obedience, salvation, and symbolism in the Old Testament. It serves as a reminder of God's ultimate authority and care for his people, even in the midst of human error and conflict. This verse continues to resonate with readers today, offering a powerful message of hope and assurance in God's enduring faithfulness.

1 Samuel 14:45 Artwork

Acts 1:4-5

1 Samuel 11:14 - "Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there."

1 Samuel 17:14 - "And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul."

1 Samuel 14:25 - "And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground."

1 Samuel 15:14 - "And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?"

1 Samuel 14:51 - "And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel."

1 Samuel 17:45 - "Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied."

1 Samuel 18:14 - "And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him."

2 Samuel 22:45 - "Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me."

1 Samuel 9:14 - "And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place."

2 Samuel 14:1 - "Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom."

1 Samuel 19:14 - "And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick."

1 Samuel 14:46 - "Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place."

Mark 14:45 - "And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him."

1 Samuel 14:42 - "And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken."

1 Samuel 14:35 - "And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD."

1 Samuel 14:44 - "And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan."

1 Samuel 14:31 - "And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint."

1 Samuel 16:14 - "¶ But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him."

Genesis 45:14 - "And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck."

1 Samuel 1:14 - "And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee."

1 Chronicles 1:45 - "And when Jobab was dead, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his stead."

Numbers 14:45 - "Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah."

1 Samuel 14:48 - "And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them."

1 Samuel 14:14 - "And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow."

1 Chronicles 6:45 - "The son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah,"

1 Samuel 20:14 - "And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:"

1 Samuel 14:8 - "Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them."

Philippians 1:4-5 - "Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now."