1 Samuel 14:35
New International Version
Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had done this.

New Living Translation
Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first of the altars he built to the LORD.

English Standard Version
And Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first altar that he built to the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar to the LORD.

King James Bible
And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.

New King James Version
Then Saul built an altar to the LORD. This was the first altar that he built to the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
And Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first altar that he built to the LORD.

NASB 1995
And Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first altar that he built to the LORD.

NASB 1977
And Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first altar that he built to the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Saul built an altar to Yahweh; it was the first altar that he built to Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
And Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first altar that he built to the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar to the LORD.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar to the LORD.

American Standard Version
And Saul built an altar unto Jehovah: the same was the first altar that he built unto Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
It was the first altar Saul had built for offering sacrifices to the LORD.

English Revised Version
And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar to the LORD.

Good News Translation
Saul built an altar to the LORD, the first one that he built.

International Standard Version
Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first altar that he built to the LORD.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar to the LORD.

NET Bible
Then Saul built an altar for the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar for the LORD.

New Heart English Bible
Saul built an altar to the LORD. This was the first altar that he built to the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Saul built an altar to the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built to the LORD:

World English Bible
Saul built an altar to Yahweh. This was the first altar that he built to Yahweh.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Saul builds an altar to YHWH; with it he has begun to build altars to YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
And Saul buildeth an alter to Jehovah; with it he hath begun to build altars to Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul will build an altar to Jehovah: this altar he began to build to Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Saul built an altar to the Lord and he then first began to build an altar to the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Saul built an altar to the Lord. And so, it was then that he first began to build an altar to the Lord.

New American Bible
and Saul built an altar to the LORD—this was the first time he built an altar to the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
And Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first altar that he built to the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Saul built there an altar to the LORD; thus he began to build his first altar to the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shaul built there an altar to LORD JEHOVAH, and he began to build the altar to LORD JEHOVAH
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Saul built an altar unto the LORD; the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Saul built an altar there to the Lord: this was the first altar that Saul built to the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jonathan Eats the Honey
34Then he said, “Go among the troops and tell them, ‘Each man must bring me his ox or his sheep, slaughter them in this place, and then eat. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.’ ” So that night everyone brought his ox and slaughtered it there. 35Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar to the LORD. 36And 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.”…

Cross References
Genesis 12:7-8
Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. / From there Abram moved on to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built an altar to the LORD, and he called on the name of the LORD.

Genesis 13:18
So Abram moved his tent and went to live near the Oaks of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD.

Genesis 22:9
When they arrived at the place God had designated, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar, atop the wood.

Exodus 17:15
And Moses built an altar and named it The LORD Is My Banner.

Exodus 24:4
And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Early the next morning he got up and built an altar at the base of the mountain, along with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.

Exodus 20:24-25
You are to make for Me an altar of earth, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats and cattle. In every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you. / Now if you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with stones shaped by tools; for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it.

Deuteronomy 27:5-6
Moreover, you are to build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You must not use any iron tool on them. / You shall build the altar of the LORD your God with uncut stones and offer upon it burnt offerings to the LORD your God.

Joshua 8:30-31
At that time Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal to the LORD, the God of Israel, / just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses: “an altar of uncut stones on which no iron tool has been used.” And on it they offered burnt offerings to the LORD, and they sacrificed peace offerings.

Judges 6:24
So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

1 Kings 18:30-32
Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people approached him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been torn down. / And Elijah took twelve stones, one for each tribe of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come and said, “Israel shall be your name.” / And with the stones, Elijah built an altar in the name of the LORD. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed.

2 Samuel 24:18-25
And that day Gad came to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” / So David went up at the word of Gad, just as the LORD had commanded. / When Araunah looked out and saw the king and his servants coming toward him, he went out and bowed facedown before the king. ...

1 Chronicles 21:26
And there he built an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. He called upon the LORD, who answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering.

2 Chronicles 33:16
Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it, and he told Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel.

Ezra 3:2-3
Then Jeshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests, along with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates, began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. / They set up the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the LORD—both the morning and evening burnt offerings—even though they feared the people of the land.

Psalm 43:4
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You with the harp, O God, my God.


Treasury of Scripture

And Saul built an altar to the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built to the LORD.

1 Samuel 7:9,17
And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him…

Judges 21:4
And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.

Hosea 8:14
For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.

the same, etc.

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Altar Altars Alter Begun Build Buildeth Built Saul Time
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Altar Altars Alter Begun Build Buildeth Built Saul Time
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














Then Saul built an altar
The act of building an altar is significant in the Old Testament as it represents a place of worship, sacrifice, and communion with God. The Hebrew word for altar, "mizbeach," is derived from the root "zabach," meaning "to sacrifice." This indicates that altars were primarily places for offering sacrifices to God. Saul's decision to build an altar suggests a moment of religious dedication or repentance. Historically, altars were constructed from earth or uncut stones, symbolizing purity and the unaltered creation of God. Saul's action here can be seen as an attempt to seek divine favor or guidance, especially in the context of his military leadership and the challenges he faced.

to the LORD
The use of "the LORD" in this context refers to Yahweh, the covenant name of God revealed to Moses. This name emphasizes God's eternal presence and faithfulness to His people. Saul's building of an altar to Yahweh signifies an acknowledgment of the God of Israel as the supreme deity deserving of worship and sacrifice. It reflects a moment where Saul recognizes the need to align with the divine will, seeking the LORD's blessing and intervention. In the broader scriptural context, this act is a reminder of the importance of maintaining a relationship with God through worship and obedience.

it was the first time
This phrase highlights the uniqueness of the event, marking it as a significant moment in Saul's reign. The fact that it was the first altar Saul built suggests a turning point or a new beginning in his spiritual journey or leadership. It may indicate a realization of the necessity of divine support in his kingship. Historically, the building of altars by leaders was a common practice to demonstrate piety and seek divine favor. This moment can be seen as Saul's attempt to establish a spiritual foundation for his rule, acknowledging the need for God's presence and guidance.

he had built an altar to the LORD
The repetition of the act of building an altar to the LORD emphasizes the importance of this action. It underscores Saul's intention to dedicate this altar specifically to Yahweh, distinguishing it from any pagan practices or altars to other deities. This dedication is crucial in the context of Israel's covenant relationship with God, where exclusive worship of Yahweh was a central tenet. Saul's construction of the altar can be viewed as an act of obedience and reverence, seeking to honor God and invite His presence and blessing upon the nation. In the broader narrative, it serves as a reminder of the need for leaders to prioritize spiritual commitments and seek divine guidance in their endeavors.

(35) The same was the first altar that he built . . .--More accurately, as in margin, the same he began to build as an altar. The great Jewish commentators are divided as to the precise meaning of the old Hebrew language of this verse. Abarbanel interprets the words, "that King Saul began to build, but did not finish." The Midrash prefers to understand the statement as telling how "Saul began among the kings of Israel the building of altars." The more obvious meaning, if we translate as in our English Version, seems to be that this was the first public acknowledgment King Saul made to God for the mercies and goodness vouchsafed to him.

Verse 35. - And Saul built an altar unto Jehovah as a thank offering for the Divine favour in gaining so great a victory. The same was the first altar, etc. Literally, "As to it he began to build an altar unto Jehovah." On these words the question has arisen whether the meaning be that Saul began to build an altar, but with characteristic impetuosity left off before he had completed it; or whether on that occasion he commenced the custom followed by David (2 Samuel 24:25) of erecting altars as the patriarchs had done in old time. The latter interpretation is more in accordance with the usage of the Hebrew language, and is approved by the translations of the Septuagint and Vulgate.

CHAPTER 14:36-52 JONATHAN'S DANGER AND DELIVERANCE (vers. 36-46).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Saul
שָׁא֛וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

built
וַיִּ֧בֶן (way·yi·ḇen)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1129: To build

an altar
מִזְבֵּ֖חַ (miz·bê·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

to the LORD;
לַֽיהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

it was the first
הֵחֵ֔ל (hê·ḥêl)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2490: To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play

time he had built
לִבְנ֥וֹת (liḇ·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1129: To build

an altar
מִזְבֵּ֖חַ (miz·bê·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

to the LORD.
לַֽיהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT History: 1 Samuel 14:35 Saul built an altar to Yahweh: (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 14:34
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