Jonathan's Death Sentence and Honey Incident in 1 Samuel

The Incident and Its Context

The story of Jonathan's death sentence and the honey incident is found in 1 Samuel 14. The narrative begins with Jonathan, Saul's son, and his armor-bearer attacking a Philistine garrison, achieving a significant victory ^[1]. Before this attack, Saul had invoked a curse on anyone who ate before the evening, saying, "Cursed be the man who eats food before it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies" (1 Samuel 14:24). Unaware of his father's vow, Jonathan tasted some honey with the end of his rod, an act that was in direct violation of Saul's curse.

The Confrontation and Its Outcome

When the lot was cast to determine who had eaten during the day, it fell on Jonathan, who confessed to having tasted the honey ^{[1, 2]}. Saul, determined to uphold his vow, declared that Jonathan must die, stating, "God do so to me and more also, you shall surely die, Jonathan" (1 Samuel 14:44). However, the people intervened, rescuing Jonathan from death because they recognized the significant role he played in the victory over the Philistines ^[3].

Interpretations of Jonathan's Actions

Interpreters have varied in their understanding of Jonathan's actions and the implications of Saul's vow. John Gill notes that Jonathan was unaware of his father's charge to the people and thus did not willfully disobey ^[4]. Matthew Henry, while commenting on a different part of the narrative, highlights Jonathan's faithfulness and courage, traits that were evident in his attack on the Philistine garrison ^[5]. Adam Clarke provides context to the events leading up to Jonathan's tasting the honey, emphasizing the spontaneity of Jonathan's actions and the lack of premeditation ^[6].

Theological and Historical Significance

The incident raises questions about the nature of vows, obedience, and the consequences of actions taken in ignorance. The people's intervention on Jonathan's behalf suggests a growing discomfort with Saul's leadership and his arbitrary imposition of a vow. This event is part of a larger narrative that highlights the complexities of Saul's reign and the emerging tensions between him and his successors, particularly David ^{[7, 8, 9]}.

Tradition and Commentary

The various traditions represented in the sources offer insights into how this incident has been understood. one commentary tradition, as represented by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, emphasizes the people's role in saving Jonathan, highlighting their more enlightened conscience compared to Saul's rigid adherence to his vow ^[3]. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, through John Gill, focuses on the details of Jonathan's actions and the circumstances surrounding them ^{[4, 10]}. The Nonconformist/Puritan perspective, as seen in Matthew Henry's commentary, underscores the themes of faithfulness and the complexities of human relationships within the narrative ^{[5, 7, 8, 9]}.

The story of Jonathan and the honey incident serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative of 1 Samuel, illustrating the tensions within Saul's household and the complexities of leadership and obedience. It highlights the interplay between individual actions, communal judgment, and the broader theological themes of the biblical text.

Sources

1 Samuel “Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done!” Jonathan told him, and said, “I certainly did taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand; and behold, I must die.” -- 1 Samuel 14:43”
Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 6, section 6: by him himself, that though he that hath committed this sin should prove to be my own son Jonathan, I will slay him, and by that means will appease the anger of God against us, and that in the very same manner as if I were to punish a stranger, and one not at all related to me, for the same offense." So when the multitude cried out to him so to do, he presently set all the rest on one side, and he and his son stood on the other side, and he sought to discover the offender by lot. Now the lot appeared to fall upon Jonathan himself”
1 Samuel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Samuel 14:45: the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not--When Saul became aware of Jonathan's transgression in regard to the honey, albeit it was done in ignorance and involved no guilt, he was, like Jephthah [Jdg 11:31, Jdg 11:35], about to put his son to death, in conformity with his vow [Sa1 14:44]. But the more enlightened conscience of the army prevented the tarnishing the glory of the day by the blood of the young hero, to whose faith and valor it was chiefly due.”
1 Samuel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Samuel 14:43: Then Saul said to Jonathan, tell me what thou hast done,.... What sin he had committed, the lot having fallen on him, and found him out: and Jonathan told him; the whole of the matter, all the truth, without any reserve: and said, I did but take a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand; he speaks of the fact as a trivial thing, as if it was not deserving of death, though he was willing to submit to it; yet it seems strange he should say nothing of his ignorance of the charge and oath of Saul, and plead that in excuse of it; though Josephus (”
1 Samuel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Samuel 20:35: Here is, 1. Jonathan's faithful performance of his promise to give David notice of the success of his dangerous experiment. He went at the time and to the place appointed (Sa1 20:35), within sight of which he knew David lay hid, sent his footboy to fetch his arrows, which he would shoot at random (Sa1 20:36), and gave David the fatal signal by shooting an arrow beyond the lad (Sa1 20:37): Is not the arrow beyond thee? That word [beyond] David knew the meaning of better than the lad. Jonathan dismissed the lad, who knew nothing of the matter, and, finding the co”
1 Samuel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Samuel 14 (introduction): Jonathan and his armor-bearer purpose to attack a garrison of the Philistines, Sa1 14:1. Saul and his army, with Ahiah the priest, tarry in Gibeah, Sa1 14:2, Sa1 14:3. Jonathan plans his attack of the Philistine garrison, Sa1 14:4-10. He and his armor-bearer climb over a rock: attack and rout the garrison, Sa1 14:11-15. Saul and has company, seeing confusion on the Philistine host, come out against them; as did the men who had hidden themselves; and the Philistines are defeated, Sa1 14:16-23. Saul lays every man under a curse who shall eat food until ”
1 Samuel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Samuel 20:24: Jonathan is here effectually convinced of that which he was so loth to believe, that his father had an implacable enmity to David, and would certainly be the death of him if it were in his power; and he had like to have paid very dearly himself for the conviction. I. David is missed from the feast on the first day, but nothing is said of him. The king sat upon his seat, to feast upon the peace-offerings as at other times (Sa1 20:25), and yet had his heart as full of envy and malice against David as it could hold. He should first have been reconciled to him, and”
1 Samuel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Samuel 20:1: Here, I. David makes a representation to Jonathan of his present troubles. While Saul lay bound by his trance at Naioth David escaped to the court, and got to speak with Jonathan. And it was happy for him that he had such a friend at court, when he had such an enemy on the throne. If there be those that hate and despise us, let us not be disturbed at that, for there are those also that love and respect us. God hath set the one over against the other, and so must we. Jonathan was a friend that loved at all times, loved David as well now in his distress, and bade ”
1 Samuel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Samuel 20:9: Here, I. Jonathan protests his fidelity to David in his distress. Notwithstanding the strong confidence David had in Jonathan, yet, because he might have some reason to fear that his father's influence, and his own interest, should make him warp, or grow cool towards him, Jonathan thought it requisite solemnly to renew the professions of his friendship to him (Sa1 20:9): "Far be it from thee to think that I suspect thee of any crime for which I should either slay thee myself or deliver thee to my father; no, if thou hast any jealousy of that, Come let us go into”
1 Samuel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Samuel 14:27: But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath,.... Which charge was given, either before he came from Gibeah, before he came to Jonathan, or while pursuing, when Jonathan was with another party either fighting or pursuing: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand: the staff with which he walked, or rather the spear which he carried in his hand, and fought his enemies with: and dipped it in an honeycomb; or sugar cane, as Jarchi; or in wood honey, as the margin of our Bibles; but best, in the honeycomb, as the word”

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