1 Samuel 14:18
16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.
17 Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.
And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.
19 And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.
20 And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.)
- KJV
- And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.
- WEB
- Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring God’s ark here.” For God’s ark was with the children of Israel at that time.
- ASV
- And Saul said unto Ahijah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was [there] at that time with the children of Israel.
- DARBY
- And Saul said to Ahijah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.
- BLB
- And Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring here the ark of God.” (For the ark of God was at that time with the sons of Israel.)
- ÅB
- Da sa Saul til Akia: Kom hit med Guds ark! Guds ark var på den tid der blant Israels barn.
- OTB
- Så sa Saul til Akia: «Bring Guds ark hit.» For Guds ark var på den tiden med Israels sønner.
- B1930
- Da sa Saul til Akia: Kom hit med Guds ark! Guds ark var på den tid der blandt Israels barn.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Judges 20:18
And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.
Read in contextJudges 20:27–28
And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
Read in context1 Samuel 4:3–5
And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.
Read in context1 Samuel 7:1
And the men of Kirjath-jearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.
Read in contextJudges 20:23
(And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him.)
Read in context2 Samuel 15:24–26
And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.
Read in context2 Samuel 11:11
And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
Read in context1 Samuel 30:7–8
And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
Read in context