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1 Samuel 14:45

JonathanSaul
JusticeMercy and compassionSalvation

43 “Tell me what you have done,” Saul commanded him. So Jonathan told him, “I only tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. And now I must die?”

44 And Saul declared, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if you, Jonathan, do not surely die!”

But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die—he who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? Never! As surely as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for with God’s help he has accomplished this today.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.

46 Then Saul gave up his pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own land.

47 After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them.

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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.

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BSB
But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die—he who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? Never! As surely as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for with God’s help he has accomplished this today.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.
KJV
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.
WEB
The people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As the LORD lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God today!” So the people rescued Jonathan, so he didn’t die.
ASV
And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? Far from it: as Jehovah 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.
DARBY
And the people said to Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who has wrought this great salvation in Israel? Far be it! [as] Jehovah liveth, there shall not a hair of his head fall to the ground; for he has wrought with God this day. So the people delivered Jonathan, that he died not.
BLB
And the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great salvation in Israel? Profane! As YHWH lives, if shall fall a hair of his head to the ground! For with God he has worked this day.” And the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.
ÅB
Men folket sa til Saul: Skulle Jonatan dø, han som har vunnet denne store seier i Israel? Langt derifra! Så sant Herren lever, skal det ikke falle et hår av hans hode til jorden; for med Guds hjelp har han gjort sin gjerning idag. Slik fridde folket Jonatan fra døden.
OTB
Men folket sa til Saul: «Skal Jonatan dø, han som har brakt denne store frelsen i Israel? Langt derifra! Så sant Herren lever, ikke et hår av hans hode skal falle til jorden, for han har arbeidet med Gud i dag.» Så folket reddet Jonatan, og han døde ikke.
B1930
Men folket sa til Saul: Skulde Jonatan dø, han som har vunnet denne store seier i Israel? Langt derifra! Så sant Herren lever, skal det ikke falle et hår av hans hode til jorden; for med Guds hjelp har han gjort sin gjerning idag. Således fridde folket Jonatan fra døden.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Acts 27:34

    So for your own preservation, I urge you to eat something, because not a single hair of your head will be lost.”

    Read in context

  • 2 Samuel 14:11

    “Please,” she replied, “may the king invoke the LORD your God to prevent the avenger of blood from increasing the devastation, so that my son may not be destroyed!” “As surely as the LORD lives,” he vowed, “not a hair of your son’s head will fall to the ground.”

    Read in context

  • Luke 21:18

    Yet not even a hair of your head will perish.

    Read in context

  • 1 Kings 1:52

    And Solomon replied, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, he will die.”

    Read in context

  • Matthew 10:30

    And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

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  • 2 Corinthians 6:1

    As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.

    Read in context

  • Acts 21:19

    Paul greeted them and recounted one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

    Read in context

  • Revelation 19:14

    The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses.

    Read in context