1 Samuel 14:31
ESV
They struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were very faint.
NIV
That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Mikmash to Aijalon, they were exhausted.
NASB
They attacked the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. But the people were very tired.
CSB
The Israelites struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash all the way to Aijalon. Since the Israelites were completely exhausted,
NLT
They chased and killed the Philistines all day from Micmash to Aijalon, growing more and more faint.
KJV
And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.
NKJV
Now they had driven back the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. So the people were very faint.
What does 1 Samuel 14:31 mean?
Please see our chapter commentary on 1 Samuel chapter 14, verse-level content coming soon!First Samuel 14:24–46 opens with Saul's declaration, in the form of an oath with a curse, that his troops must not eat until evening. Jonathan doesn't hear about the oath and eats honey during the day. The Lord remains silent when Saul asks if they should attack the Philistines by night. Lots cast to find a sinful person among them fall on Jonathan. Saul prepares to execute his son for breaking the oath, but the people refuse to allow this. The Israelites and the surviving Philistines go home.
God sparks panic among the Philistines after Jonathan boldly attacks and kills twenty of the enemy. When Saul sees the Philistines are scattering and killing each other, the Israelites pursue them out of the region. The Lord remains silent when Saul asks if they should attack the Philistines by night. Lots cast to reveal sin among them fall on Jonathan, who broke an oath of the king which he did not know about. The people refuse to allow Saul to execute Jonathan for this crime. Saul does not pursue the Philistines that night, but throughout his days as king he experiences success over them and other enemies such as the Moabites, Ammonites, Amalekites, and Edomites.
