Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then Saul said to the men who were with him, “Muster the forces and see who has left us.” When they did, it was Jonathan and his armor-bearer who were not there. New Living Translation “Call the roll and find out who’s missing,” Saul ordered. And when they checked, they found that Jonathan and his armor bearer were gone. English Standard Version Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Count and see who has gone from us.” And when they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. Berean Standard Bible Saul said to the troops who were with him, “Call the roll and see who has left us.” And when they had called the roll, they saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. Berean Literal Bible And Saul said to the people who were with him, “Call the roll now, and see who has gone from us.” And they had called the roll, and behold, Jonathan and the bearer of his armor were not there. King James Bible 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. New King James Version Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Now call the roll and see who has gone from us.” And when they had called the roll, surprisingly, Jonathan and his armorbearer were not there. New American Standard Bible So Saul said to the people who were with him, “Look carefully now and see who has left us.” And when they had looked, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there. NASB 1995 Saul said to the people who were with him, “Number now and see who has gone from us.” And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there. NASB 1977 And Saul said to the people who were with him, “Number now and see who has gone from us.” And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there. Legacy Standard Bible So Saul said to the people who were with him, “Number now and see who has gone from us.” And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there. Amplified Bible Then Saul said to the people with him, “Take a count and see who has left us.” When they had taken a count, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were missing. Berean Annotated Bible Saul (desired) said to the troops who were with him, “Call the roll and see who has left us. And when they had called the roll, they saw that Jonathan (YHWH has given) and his armor-bearer were not there. Christian Standard Bible So Saul said to the troops with him, “Call the roll and determine who has left us.” They called the roll and saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were gone. Holman Christian Standard Bible So Saul said to the troops with him, “Call the roll and determine who has left us.” They called the roll and saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were gone. American Standard Version 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 armorbearer were not there. Contemporary English Version Saul told his officers, "Call the roll and find out who left our camp." When they had finished, they found out that Jonathan and the soldier who carried his weapons were missing. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Look around," Saul told the troops who were with him, "and see who has left [our camp]." They looked and found that Jonathan and his armorbearer were not there. Good News Translation So Saul said to his men, "Count the soldiers and find out who is missing." They did so and found that Jonathan and the young man who carried his weapons were missing. International Standard Version Saul told the people who were with him, "Do a roll call and see who has left us." They did a roll call, and Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there. NET Bible So Saul said to the army that was with him, "Muster the troops and see who is no longer with us." When they mustered the troops, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there. New Heart English Bible Then Saul said to the people who were with him, "Count now, and see who is missing from us." When they had counted, look, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there. Webster's Bible Translation Then said Saul to the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSaul said to the troops who were with him, “Call the roll and see who has left us.” And when they had called the roll, they saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. World English Bible Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Count now, and see who is missing from us.” When they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Saul says to the people who [are] with him, “Now inspect and see; who has gone from us?” And they inspect, and behold, Jonathan and the bearer of his weapons are not. Berean Literal Bible And Saul said to the people who were with him, “Call the roll now, and see who has gone from us.” And they had called the roll, and behold, Jonathan and the bearer of his armor were not there. Young's Literal Translation And Saul saith to the people who are with him, 'Inspect, I pray you, and see; who hath gone from us?' and they inspect, and lo, Jonathan and the bearer of his weapons are not. Smith's Literal Translation And Saul will say to the people that were with him, Review now, and see who went from us. And they will review, and behold, not Jonathan and he lifting up his arms. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Saul said to the people that were with him: Look, and see who is gone from us. And when they had sought, it was found that Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there. Catholic Public Domain Version And Saul said to the people who were with him, “Inquire and see who has gone out from us.” And when they had inquired, it was found that Jonathan and his armor bearer were not present. New American Bible Saul said to those around him, “Count the troops and find out if any of us are missing.” When they had taken the count, they found Jonathan and his armor-bearer missing. New Revised Standard Version Then Saul said to the troops that were with him, “Call the roll and see who has gone from us.” When they had called the roll, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen Saul said to the people that were with him, Take a count and see who is gone from us. And when they had mustered, behold, Jonathan and his armorbearer were not there. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Shaul said to the people who were with him: “Examine and see who has gone from us!” And they examined and they saw and behold, Jonathan and the Bearer of his Armor were not there OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then 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 armour-bearer were not there. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Saul said to the people with him, Number yourselves now, and see who has gone out from you: and they numbered themselves, and behold, Jonathan and his armour-bearer were not found. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jonathan's Victory over the Philistines…16Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction, 17Saul said to the troops who were with him, “Call the roll and see who has left us.” And when they had called the roll, they saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. 18Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.)… Cross References Saul said to the troops who were with him, 1 Samuel 15:4 So Saul summoned the troops and numbered them at Telaim—200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah. 1 Samuel 13:2 He chose for himself three thousand men of Israel: Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. And the rest of the troops he sent away, each to his own home. “Call the roll and see who has left us.” Judges 7:3-4 Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the men: ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand of them turned back, but ten thousand remained. / Then the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go. But if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” Deuteronomy 20:8 Then the officers shall speak further to the army, saying, “Is any man afraid or fainthearted? Let him return home, so that the hearts of his brothers will not melt like his own.” 1 Samuel 10:21-22 Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans, and the clan of Matri was selected. Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected. But when they looked for him, they could not find him. / So again they inquired of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD replied, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” And when they had called the roll, 2 Samuel 24:1-2 Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He stirred up David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.” / So the king said to Joab the commander of his army, who was with him, “Go now throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and register the troops, so that I may know their number.” 1 Chronicles 21:1-2 Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. / So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan and bring me a report, so that I may know their number.” Numbers 1:2-3 “Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. / You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years of age or older by their divisions—everyone who can serve in Israel’s army. they saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. 1 Samuel 20:18 Then Jonathan said to David, “Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty. 1 Samuel 20:27 But on the day after the New Moon, the second day, David’s place was still empty, and Saul asked his son Jonathan, “Why hasn’t the son of Jesse come to the meal either yesterday or today?” 2 Kings 2:16-18 “Look now,” they said to Elisha, “we your servants have fifty valiant men. Please let them go and search for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and put him on one of the mountains or in one of the valleys.” “Do not send them,” Elisha replied. / But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah. / When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you not to go?” Judges 7:19-22 Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the changing of the guard. They blew their horns and broke the jars that were in their hands. / The three companies blew their horns and shattered their jars. Holding the torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, they shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” / Each Israelite took his position around the camp, and the entire Midianite army fled, crying out as they ran. … 1 Samuel 13:15-16 Then Samuel set out from Gilgal and went up to Gibeah in Benjamin. And Saul numbered the troops who were with him, about six hundred men. / Now Saul and Jonathan his son and the troops with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin, while the Philistines camped at Michmash. 2 Samuel 18:24-27 Now David was sitting between the two gates when the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall, looked out, and saw a man running alone. / So he called out and told the king. “If he is alone,” the king replied, “he bears good news.” As the first runner drew near, / the watchman saw another man running, and he called out to the gatekeeper, “Look! Another man is running alone!” “This one also brings good news,” said the king. … 2 Kings 7:12-15 So the king got up in the night and said to his servants, “Let me tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know we are starving, so they have left the camp to hide in the field, thinking, ‘When they come out of the city, we will take them alive and enter the city.’” / But one of his servants replied, “Please, have scouts take five of the horses that remain in the city. Their plight will be no worse than all the Israelites who are left here. You can see that all the Israelites here are doomed. So let us send them and find out.” / Then the scouts took two chariots with horses, and the king sent them after the Aramean army, saying, “Go and see.” … 2 Kings 9:17-20 Now the watchman standing on the tower in Jezreel saw Jehu’s troops approaching, and he called out, “I see a company of troops!” “Choose a rider,” Joram commanded. “Send him out to meet them and ask, ‘Have you come in peace?’” / So a horseman rode off to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’” “What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.” And the watchman reported, “The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back.” / So the king sent out a second horseman, who went to them and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’” “What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.” … Treasury of Scripture Then said Saul to the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there. Jump to Previous Armor Armorbearer Armor-Bearer Armourbearer Armour-Bearer Bearer Inspect Jonathan Muster Numbered Saul Servant WeaponsJump to Next Armor Armorbearer Armor-Bearer Armourbearer Armour-Bearer Bearer Inspect Jonathan Muster Numbered Saul Servant Weapons1 Samuel 14 1. Jonathan goes and miraculously smites the Philistine's garrison15. 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 Saul said to the troops who were with him Saul, the first king of Israel, is depicted here as a leader addressing his soldiers. This reflects his role as a military commander during a time when Israel was frequently at war with neighboring nations, particularly the Philistines. The troops with Saul were likely stationed at Gibeah, a strategic location in the tribal territory of Benjamin. Saul's leadership is often contrasted with that of his son Jonathan, who is portrayed as more faithful and courageous. “Call the roll and see who has left us.” And when they had called the roll they saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. At this point in the account, Saul is leading the Israelites against the Philistines. 2. Jonathan Saul's son, known for his bravery and faith in God. He plays a crucial role in the events of this chapter by initiating an attack on the Philistine garrison. 3. Armor-bearer Jonathan's young assistant, who accompanies him into battle. His loyalty and courage are evident as he follows Jonathan into a dangerous situation. 4. Israelite Troops The soldiers under Saul's command, who are engaged in a standoff with the Philistines. 5. Philistines The primary adversaries of Israel during this period, representing a constant threat to the Israelites. Teaching Points Leadership and ResponsibilitySaul's decision to call the roll reflects his responsibility as a leader to account for his men. Leaders today must also be diligent in knowing and caring for those under their charge. Faith and Initiative Jonathan's absence from the camp is a result of his faith-driven initiative. Believers are encouraged to step out in faith, trusting God to work through their actions. Loyalty and Support The armor-bearer's willingness to follow Jonathan into danger highlights the importance of loyalty and support in fulfilling God's purposes. Divine Providence The unfolding events demonstrate God's providence in using Jonathan's actions to bring about a victory for Israel. Believers can trust that God is at work, even in seemingly small or isolated actions. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 14:17?2. How does 1 Samuel 14:17 demonstrate God's sovereignty in battle situations? 3. What leadership qualities does Saul exhibit in 1 Samuel 14:17? 4. How can we seek God's guidance in decision-making like Saul in 1 Samuel? 5. What scriptural connections exist between 1 Samuel 14:17 and other battles in the Bible? 6. How can we apply Saul's response to unexpected events in our daily lives? 7. What does 1 Samuel 14:17 reveal about leadership and decision-making in times of crisis? 8. How does 1 Samuel 14:17 illustrate the importance of communication within a community or group? 9. What historical context is necessary to fully understand 1 Samuel 14:17? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 14? 11. Who was Jonathan in the Bible? 12. If Jonathan unknowingly broke Saul's oath, why would God seemingly condemn him to death (1 Samuel 14:43-45)? 13. In 1 Samuel 16:14, why would God send an 'evil spirit' to torment Saul, contradicting the idea of a benevolent deity? 14. 1 Chronicles 14:2 - Why would God's favor be linked to David's increasing power and multiple wives, despite biblical warnings against polygamy elsewhere? What Does 1 Samuel 14:17 Mean Saul said to the troops who were with him• Saul is surrounded by a shrinking, fearful army (1 Samuel 13:6–7). • His leadership is reactive; he waits for reports rather than seeking God’s guidance, a contrast to Jonathan’s earlier faith-filled initiative (1 Samuel 14:6). • Psalm 20:7 reminds us that some trust in chariots and horses; Saul leans on human assessment instead of divine direction. Call the roll and see who has left us • Taking attendance was common for accountability (Numbers 1:2; Joshua 7:14). • Saul hopes to explain the Philistine confusion (1 Samuel 14:15–16) by locating the source within his ranks. • Proverbs 27:23 urges knowing the state of one’s flocks; Saul applies a military version of that wisdom, yet without first seeking the Lord (contrast 1 Samuel 14:36–37). When they had called the roll • Obedient soldiers act promptly, showing military discipline even under pressure (2 Samuel 24:2–4). • The orderly roll call underscores that God is never the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), even when men are. They saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there • Jonathan’s absence reveals God’s hidden work: two faithful men have already routed the enemy (1 Samuel 14:13–14). • Zechariah 4:6—“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit”—is illustrated as the Lord uses a pair rather than an army. • The loyalty of the armor-bearer (1 Samuel 14:7) models Ecclesiastes 4:9–10; two truly are better than one in God’s service. • Saul’s delayed discovery highlights the difference between title and trust. Jonathan trusted the Lord; Saul trusted procedure. summary 1 Samuel 14:17 shows Saul relying on human methods to solve a divine mystery, while God is already acting through Jonathan’s daring faith. The verse contrasts reactive leadership with proactive trust, underscoring that the Lord can achieve great victories through a few who believe Him literally and act courageously. (17) Then said Saul . . .--When this panic which was taking place in the Philistine army was reported to King Saul, he naturally inquired as to what had caused it, knowing that he, as general-in-chief, had given no directions to any of his men to attack the enemy. In the little Israelitish force, when the roll was called, it was soon discovered who was missing.Verses 17, 18. - Number now. On hearing from the watchmen that fighting was seen on the other side of the ravine, Saul commands the roll to be called, that he may learn who has made the attack, and finds only his son and the armour bearer missing. Uncertain what their absence might mean, he said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. The Syriac, Vulgate, and Chaldee support this reading, but the Septuagint has ephod, and there can be no doubt that this is the right reading; for the verb rendered. Bring hither is never used of the ark, but only of the ephod; nor was the ark used for making inquiry of God, but the ephod with the breastplate inserted in it. The rest of the verse is a gloss added by some scribe struck at this strange mention of the ark, which we know was still at Kirjath-jearim. It is itself corrupt and ungrammatical, being, "For the ark of God was in that day and the children of Israel." Still both the reading ark and the gloss are very ancient, being found in the versions, except the Septuagint, as above.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Saulשָׁא֗וּל (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites said וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to the troops לָעָם֙ (lā·‘ām) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock with him, אִתּ֔וֹ (’it·tōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among “Call the roll פִּקְדוּ־ (piq·ḏū-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit and see וּרְא֔וּ (ū·rə·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 7200: To see who מִ֖י (mî) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix has left הָלַ֣ךְ (hā·laḵ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk us.” מֵעִמָּ֑נוּ (mê·‘im·mā·nū) Preposition-m | first person common plural Strong's 5973: With, equally with And when they had called the roll, וַֽיִּפְקְד֔וּ (way·yip̄·qə·ḏū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit they saw וְהִנֵּ֛ה (wə·hin·nêh) Conjunctive waw | Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! that Jonathan יוֹנָתָ֖ן (yō·w·nā·ṯān) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3129: Jonathan and his armor-bearer וְנֹשֵׂ֥א (wə·nō·śê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take [were] not [there]. אֵ֥ין (’ên) Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle Links 1 Samuel 14:17 NIV1 Samuel 14:17 NLT 1 Samuel 14:17 ESV 1 Samuel 14:17 NASB 1 Samuel 14:17 KJV 1 Samuel 14:17 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 14:17 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 14:17 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 14:17 French Bible 1 Samuel 14:17 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 14:17 Then said Saul to the people who (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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