1 Samuel 14:39
New International Version
As surely as the LORD who rescues Israel lives, even if the guilt lies with my son Jonathan, he must die.” But not one of them said a word.

New Living Translation
I vow by the name of the LORD who rescued Israel that the sinner will surely die, even if it is my own son Jonathan!” But no one would tell him what the trouble was.

English Standard Version
For as the LORD lives who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But there was not a man among all the people who answered him.

Berean Standard Bible
As surely as the LORD who saves Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan, he must die!” But not one of the troops said a word.

King James Bible
For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.

New King James Version
For as the LORD lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But not a man among all the people answered him.

New American Standard Bible
For as the LORD lives, who saves Israel, even if it is in my son Jonathan, he shall assuredly die!” But not one of all the people answered him.

NASB 1995
“For as the LORD lives, who delivers Israel, though it is in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But not one of all the people answered him.

NASB 1977
“For as the LORD lives, who delivers Israel, though it is in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But not one of all the people answered him.

Legacy Standard Bible
For as Yahweh lives, who saves Israel, though it is in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But not one of all the people answered him.

Amplified Bible
For as the LORD lives, who saves Israel, for even if the guilt is in my son Jonathan, he shall most certainly die.” But not one of all the people answered him.

Christian Standard Bible
As surely as the LORD lives who saves Israel, even if it is because of my son Jonathan, he must die! ” Not one of the troops answered him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As surely as the LORD lives who saves Israel, even if it is because of my son Jonathan, he must die!” Not one of the troops answered him.

American Standard Version
For, as Jehovah liveth, who saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.

Contemporary English Version
I swear by the living LORD that whoever sinned must die, even if it turns out to be my own son Jonathan." No one said a word.

English Revised Version
For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I solemnly swear, as the LORD and Savior of Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan [who did it], he must die." But not one of the soldiers replied.

Good News Translation
I promise by the living LORD, who gives Israel victory, that the guilty one will be put to death, even if he is my son Jonathan." But no one said anything.

International Standard Version
Indeed, as the LORD who delivers Israel lives, even if the sin is with my son Jonathan, he will surely die!" Not a single one of the soldiers answered him.

Majority Standard Bible
As surely as the LORD who saves Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan, he must die!? But not one of the troops said a word.

NET Bible
For as surely as the LORD, the deliverer of Israel, lives, even if it turns out to be my own son Jonathan, he will certainly die!" But no one from the army said anything.

New Heart English Bible
For, as the LORD lives, who saves Israel, though it is in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die." But there was not a man among all the people who answered him.

Webster's Bible Translation
For as the LORD liveth, who saveth Israel, though it is in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.

World English Bible
For as Yahweh lives, who saves Israel, though it is in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But there was not a man among all the people who answered him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for YHWH lives, who is saving Israel: surely if it is in my son Jonathan, surely he certainly dies”; and none is answering him out of all the people.

Young's Literal Translation
for, Jehovah liveth, who is saving Israel: surely if it be in Jonathan my son, surely he doth certainly die;' and none is answering him out of all the people.

Smith's Literal Translation
For Jehovah lives, having saved Israel, for if it is in Jonathan my son, for dying he shall die. And none from all the people answered him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
As the Lord liveth who is the saviour of Israel, if it was done by Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. In this none of the people gainsaid him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
As the Lord lives, who is the Saviour of Israel, even if it were done by my son Jonathan, without retraction he shall die.” In this, no one among all the people contradicted him.

New American Bible
As the LORD lives who has given victory to Israel, even if my son Jonathan has committed it, he shall surely die!” But none of the people answered him.

New Revised Standard Version
For as the LORD lives who saves Israel, even if it is in my son Jonathan, he shall surely die!” But there was no one among all the people who answered him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For, as the LORD lives, who saved Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was no one of all the people that answered him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because LORD JEHOVAH lives who has saved Israel, that if it is in Jonathan my son, certainly he shall die!” And there was no one who answered him of all the people
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For, as the LORD liveth, who saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.' But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For as the Lord lives who has saved Israel, if answer should be against my son Jonathan, he shall surely die. And there was no one that answered out of all the people.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The People Save Jonathan
38Therefore Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the troops, and let us investigate how this sin has occurred today. 39As surely as the LORD who saves Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan, he must die!” But not one of the troops said a word. 40Then 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.…

Cross References
Joshua 7:15
The one who is caught with the things devoted to destruction must be burned, along with all that belongs to him, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD and committed an outrage in Israel.’”

1 Samuel 12:14-15
If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD, and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the LORD your God, then all will be well. / But if you disobey the LORD and rebel against His command, then the hand of the LORD will be against you as it was against your fathers.

1 Samuel 15:24-26
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. / Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the LORD.” / “I will not return with you,” Samuel replied. “For you have rejected the word of the LORD, and He has rejected you as king over Israel.”

2 Samuel 12:5-7
David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan: “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! / Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb four times over.” / Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.

1 Kings 2:23-24
Then King Solomon swore by the LORD: “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if Adonijah has not made this request at the expense of his life. / And now, as surely as the LORD lives—the One who established me, who set me on the throne of my father David, and who founded for me a dynasty as He promised—surely Adonijah shall be put to death today!”

1 Kings 20:42
And the prophet said to the king, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you have let slip from your hand the man I had devoted to destruction, your life will be exchanged for his life, and your people for his people.’”

2 Kings 1:16
And Elijah said to King Ahaziah, “This is what the LORD says: Is there really no God in Israel for you to inquire of His word? Is that why you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.”

2 Kings 23:3
So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant.

Psalm 15:4
who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,

Proverbs 19:5
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.

Isaiah 3:10-11
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. / Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.

Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.

Matthew 5:37
Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.

Matthew 12:36-37
But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 26:52
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.


Treasury of Scripture

For, as the LORD lives, which saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.

1 Samuel 14:24,44
And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food…

1 Samuel 19:6
And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.

1 Samuel 20:31
For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.

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1 Samuel 14
1. Jonathan goes and miraculously smites the Philistine's garrison
15. A divine terror makes them beat themselves
17. Saul, not staying the priest's answer, sets on them
21. The captivated Hebrews, and the hidden Israelites, join against them.
24. Saul's unadvised adjuration hinders the victory
31. He restrains the people from eating blood
35. He builds an altar
37. Jonathan, taken by lot, is save by the people
47. Saul's victories, strength, and family














As surely as the LORD who saves Israel lives
This phrase underscores the solemnity and gravity of Saul's oath. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "YHWH," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. The phrase "who saves Israel" highlights God's role as the deliverer and protector of His chosen people. Historically, Israel's identity and survival were deeply intertwined with their faith in God's saving power, as seen in their deliverance from Egypt and victories in battles. Saul invokes God's living presence to assert the seriousness of his vow, reflecting a common practice in ancient Israel to swear by God's name as the ultimate authority.

even if it is my son Jonathan
This part of the verse reveals Saul's commitment to his oath, even to the point of sacrificing his own son. Jonathan, known for his bravery and faithfulness, is a beloved figure in the narrative. The Hebrew word for "son" is "ben," which not only denotes a biological relationship but also carries connotations of legacy and inheritance. Saul's willingness to include Jonathan in his vow demonstrates the king's struggle between personal affection and his perceived duty to uphold divine justice. This tension is a recurring theme in the Bible, where leaders must balance familial loyalty with their responsibilities to God and the community.

he must die!
The declaration "he must die" is stark and absolute, reflecting the seriousness with which Saul views the violation of his oath. The Hebrew verb used here, "mûth," is often employed in legal contexts to denote a death sentence. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of oaths and curses, where breaking a vow to God was seen as a grave offense deserving of severe punishment. Saul's pronouncement is a reminder of the weight of words and promises, especially those made before God, and the potential consequences of rash vows.

But not one of the troops said a word
The silence of the troops is telling. In the Hebrew text, the phrase "not one of the troops said a word" suggests a collective decision to withhold their voices. This silence can be interpreted as a form of protest or disagreement with Saul's rash vow. The troops' loyalty to Jonathan, who had led them to victory earlier in the chapter, likely influenced their decision. This moment highlights the tension between Saul's authority and the people's allegiance to Jonathan, foreshadowing the eventual decline of Saul's kingship. The troops' silence serves as a powerful statement of their respect for Jonathan and their reluctance to see him punished unjustly.

(39) Though it be in Jonathan my son.--"Were Jonathan himself the transgressor, he [Saul] would not spare his life; and so, feeling inwardly bound by his oath, presses for decision by means of the sacred lot, amid the ominous silence of the horror-stricken people."--Ewald.

Verse 39. - He shall surely die. With despotic violence, without waiting to learn what the offence was, and judging simply by consequences, because he was delayed in following up the pursuit, he takes a solemn oath that the offending person shall be put to death. Thus twice in the same day he was guilty of the sin of rash swearing. The people condemn him by their silence. They had obeyed him with ready devotion; but now they listen in terror to the rash and violent words which condemn to death the young hero by whom God had that day wrought deliverance for them.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
As surely as the LORD
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

lives
חַי־ (ḥay-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

who delivers
הַמּוֹשִׁ֙יעַ֙ (ham·mō·wō·šî·a‘)
Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor

Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

even
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

if
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

it is
יֶשְׁנ֛וֹ (yeš·nōw)
Adverb | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

my son
בְּנִ֖י (bə·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1121: A son

Jonathan,
בְּיוֹנָתָ֥ן (bə·yō·w·nā·ṯān)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3129: Jonathan

he must die!”
מ֣וֹת (mō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

But not one
וְאֵ֥ין (wə·’ên)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

of the troops
הָעָֽם׃ (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

said
עֹנֵ֖הוּ (‘ō·nê·hū)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

a word.
מִכָּל־ (mik·kāl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every


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OT History: 1 Samuel 14:39 For as Yahweh lives who saves Israel (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 14:38
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