1 Samuel 14:43 net — So Saul said to Jonathan,“Tell me what you have done.” Jonathan told him,“I used the end of the staff that was in my ha…

NET Bible

"So Saul said to Jonathan,“Tell me what you have done.” Jonathan told him,“I used the end of the staff that was in my hand to taste a little honey. I must die!”"

— 1 Samuel 14:43, NET Bible

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1 Samuel 14:43 in Other Translations

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1 Samuel 14 — Context

40

Then he said to all Israel,“You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side.” The army replied to Saul,“Do whatever you think is best.”

41

Then Saul said,“O LORD God of Israel! If this sin has been committed by me or by my son Jonathan, then, O LORD God of Israel, respond with Urim. But if this sin has been committed by your people Israel, respond with Thummim.” Then Jonathan and Saul were indicated by lot, while the army was exonerated.

42

Then Saul said,“Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan!” Jonathan was indicated by lot.

43

So Saul said to Jonathan,“Tell me what you have done.” Jonathan told him,“I used the end of the staff that was in my hand to taste a little honey. I must die!”

44

Saul said,“God will punish me severely if Jonathan doesn’t die!”

45

But the army said to Saul,“Should Jonathan, who won this great victory in Israel, die? May it never be! As surely as the LORD lives, not a single hair of his head will fall to the ground! For it is with the help of God that he has acted today.” So the army rescued Jonathan from death.

46

Then Saul stopped chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines went back home.

1 Samuel 14:43 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Samuel 14:43 say?
1 Samuel 14:43 in the NET Bible reads: “So Saul said to Jonathan,“Tell me what you have done.” Jonathan told him,“I used the end of the staff that was in my hand to taste a little honey. I must die!””
Where is 1 Samuel 14:43 in the Bible?
1 Samuel 14:43 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 14, verse 43.
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 14:43.
What translation should I read 1 Samuel 14:43 in?
1 Samuel 14:43 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 14:43?
1 Samuel 14:43 reads (NET): “So Saul said to Jonathan,“Tell me what you have done.” Jonathan told him,“I used the end of the staff that was in my hand to taste a little honey. I must die!”” 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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