Bible Strands
1 Samuel 14:40
Then Saul said to all Israel, “You stand on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will stand on the other side.” “Do what seems good to you,” the troops replied.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Saul addresses the entire Israelite army, instructing them to divide into two groups while he and Jonathan take the opposing side. This command follows his oath regarding Jonathan’s potential death and immediately precedes his consultation of the Lord to determine guilt.
The words — The phrase לְעֵבֶר אֶחָד (le./'E.ver 'e.Chad) literally means “to one side,” establishing the physical division for the casting of lots. אַתֶּם תִּהְיוּ (a.Tem tih.Yu) translates to “you will be,” placing the structural command directly on the troops.
The thread — The troops’ reply mirrors the compliance language in 1 Samuel 14:7 and 1 Samuel 14:36, and aligns with the formal submission formula in 2 Samuel 15:15. These passages track a consistent pattern of military deference to royal authority during critical decisions.
Why it lands — The text records the procedural arrangement for divine inquiry without explicitly validating the method. It requires the reader to observe how ancient leadership structured human action while awaiting divine response.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 14:7 His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”
- 1 Samuel 14:36 And Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until dawn, leaving no man alive!” “Do what seems good to you,” the troops replied. But the priest said, “We must consult God here.”
- 2 Samuel 15:15 The king’s servants replied, “Whatever our lord the king decides, we are your servants.”