1 Samuel 14:16 nasb — Now Saul's watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away; and they went here and there.

NASB

"Now Saul's watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away; and they went here and there."

— 1 Samuel 14:16, NASB

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1 Samuel 14:16 in Other Translations

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1 Samuel 14 — Context

13

Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor bearer behind him; and they fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer put some to death after him.

14

That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor bearer made was about twenty men within about half a furrow in an acre of land.

15

And there was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even the garrison and the raiders trembled, and the earth quaked so that it became a great trembling.

16

Now Saul's watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away; and they went here and there.

17

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.

18

Then Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God here." For the ark of God was at that time with the sons of Israel.

19

While Saul talked to the priest, the commotion in the camp of the Philistines continued and increased; so Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand."

1 Samuel 14:16 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Samuel 14:16 say?
1 Samuel 14:16 in the NASB reads: “Now Saul's watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away; and they went here and there.”
Where is 1 Samuel 14:16 in the Bible?
1 Samuel 14:16 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 14, verse 16.
Who wrote 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Samuel, Nathan, and Gad). It was written c. 930–722 BC.
What is the book of 1 Samuel about?
1 Samuel marks Israel's transition from judges to kings. It traces the births and ministries of the prophet Samuel, the rise and tragic fall of Saul as Israel's first king, and the anointing of the shepherd boy David, whose faith makes him a man after God's own heart.
What are the major themes of 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel explores themes including Kingship, Prophet, Faith vs. Fear, God's Sovereign Choice, Anointing. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Samuel 14:16.
What translation should I read 1 Samuel 14:16 in?
1 Samuel 14:16 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Samuel 14:16?
1 Samuel 14:16 reads (NASB): “Now Saul's watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away; and they went here and there.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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