1 Samuel 14:24 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Saul binds the army with a rash oath of fasting, leaving the men exhausted and distressed.
What Does 1 Samuel 14:24 Mean?
The chapter turns from triumph to trouble. Saul lays a binding curse on anyone who eats before evening, so that he may be avenged on his enemies. The famished soldiers, in the middle of a hard pursuit, dare not taste any food, and they grow faint and distressed.
Saul's vow sounds zealous but serves his own honor ('that I may be avenged'). Rash promises made in pride can wound the very people they claim to help. Genuine devotion to God strengthens His servants; it does not bind needless burdens on them in the name of zeal.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 14:24
What does 1 Samuel 14:24 mean?
Saul binds the army with a rash oath of fasting, leaving the men exhausted and distressed.