1 Samuel 14:27

Contextual Overview

²⁴Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, "Cursed be any man who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!" So none of the troops tasted food. ²⁴ Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, "Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!" So none of the troops tasted food. ²⁴Now the men of Israel were hard-pressed on that day. And Saul had put the people under oath, saying, "Cursed be the man who eats food before evening and until I have avenged myself on my enemies." So none of the people tasted food. ²⁴ Now the men of Israel were hard-pressed on that day, for Saul had put the people under oath, saying, "Cursed be the man who eats food before evening, and until I have avenged myself on my enemies." So none of the people tasted food. ²⁴ And when the men of Israel were kepte downe with hunger that day, Saul charged the people with an oth, saying: Cursed be the man that eateth any foode vntill night, till I be auenged of myne enemies. And so none of the people tasted any sustenaunce. ²⁴ But Saul made a big mistake that day. He made this oath: "If any man eats food before evening comes, before I finish defeating my enemies, he will be under a curse." He made the soldiers promise not to eat. So none of them ate anything. ²⁴ And the men of Israel were distressed on that day, for Saul took an oath of the people, saying, Cursed shall be the man who eats food until the evening, when I have been avenged on my foes. And none of the people tasted food. ²⁴ And the men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul laid an oath on the people, saying, "Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies." So none of the people tasted food. ²⁴ The men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man who eats any food until it be evening, and I be avenged on my enemies. So none of the people tasted food. ²⁴ And the men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adiured the people, saying, Cursed bee the man that eateth any foode vntill euening, that I may be auenged on mine enemies: so none of the people tasted any food.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

his eyes: 1 Samuel 14:29, 1 Samuel 30:12, Proverbs 25:26

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:2 - through Judges 19:5 - Comfort 1 Samuel 14:24 - Cursed 1 Samuel 14:43 - I did but Ezra 9:8 - lighten Psalms 13:3 - lighten Psalms 38:10 - the light Acts 23:12 - that

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath,.... Which charge was given, either before he came from Gibeah, before he came to Jonathan, or while pursuing, when Jonathan was with another party either fighting or pursuing:

wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand: the staff with which he walked, or rather the spear which he carried in his hand, and fought his enemies with:

and dipped it in an honeycomb; or sugar cane, as Jarchi; or in wood honey, as the margin of our Bibles; but best, in the honeycomb, as the word is rendered, Song of Solomon 5:1 and so the Targum, into the nest of honey x:

and he put his hand to his mouth; first he took the honey off of the top of his rod, and then put it to his mouth and ate it;

and his eyes were enlightened: which before were dim and dull through want of food, which is a common case; but became brisk and lively on eating the honey, nourishment being presently communicated, and he refreshed with it, and his spirits revived; and which quickly appeared in the briskness and sparkling of his eyes: honey being of a subtle nature, gives immediate refreshment and rigour; hence this phrase is frequently used by Jewish writers y for refreshment, after hunger, fatigue, and weariness; and which virtue is ascribed by them to fine bread, wine, oil, and particularly to honey.

x "Progeniem nidosque fovent----", Virgil. Georgic. l. 4. ver. 56. y T. Bab. Pesachim, fol. 42. 1, 2. Yoma, fol. 18, 2. & 83. 1. Maimon. Hilch. Maacolot Asurot, c. 14. sect. 16.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Were enlightened - i. e., he was refreshed, when he was faint.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Samuel 14:27. His eyes were enlightened. — Hunger and fatigue affect and dim the sight; on taking food, this affection is immediately removed. This most people know to be a fact.