1 Samuel 14:37
ESV
And Saul inquired of God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?" But he did not answer him that day.
NIV
So Saul asked God, "Shall I go down and pursue the Philistines? Will you give them into Israel’s hand?" But God did not answer him that day.
NASB
So Saul inquired of God: 'Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You hand them over to Israel?' But He did not answer him on that day.
CSB
So Saul inquired of God, "Should I go after the Philistines? Will you hand them over to Israel?" But God did not answer him that day.
NLT
So Saul asked God, 'Should we go after the Philistines? Will you help us defeat them?' But God made no reply that day.
KJV
And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.
NKJV
So Saul asked counsel of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You deliver them into the hand of Israel?” But He did not answer him that day.
What does 1 Samuel 14:37 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.