1 Samuel 14:26

French (BDS) 2015 (La Bible du Semeur 2015)

En arrivant, les hommes virent bien ce miel qui ruisselait des rayons, mais aucun d’eux n’osa y toucher et en porter à sa bouche par respect du serment.

What Does This Mean?

In this verse from 1 Samuel, the soldiers in Saul's army find honey in the forest but do not eat it because they are bound by an oath they made. The verse shows how seriously the people took their oaths and the fear of breaking them.

Explained for Children

Imagine you and your friends make a promise not to eat any candy for a day. Later, you see a jar of yummy candies, but you don't touch them because you remember your promise. This verse is like that, but for grown-ups who didn't eat honey because of their promise.

Historical Background

The book of 1 Samuel was written by the prophet Samuel, Nathan, and Gad, around 930 BC. It was written for the Israelites to record their history and the rise of King Saul. The cultural setting involved a strict adherence to oaths and the fear of divine consequences for breaking them.

Living It Out Today

Today, this verse reminds us of the importance of keeping our promises and the value of self-discipline. For example, if you promise to study for an exam instead of playing video games, this verse encourages you to stick to your commitment, even when temptation is close.

Topics

• oaths
• self-discipline
• fear of God
• consequences
• commitment
• temptation

Related Verses

• Joshua 7:11-15
• Proverbs 20:25
• Matthew 5:33-37
• James 5:12
• Numbers 30:2

Frequently Asked Questions

Why didn't the soldiers eat the honey?

The soldiers didn't eat the honey because they were bound by an oath not to eat until evening, showing their commitment to their promise.

What was the oath mentioned in 1 Samuel 14:26?

The oath was likely made by Saul, forbidding his army to eat until evening, which they took very seriously to avoid divine punishment.

How does this verse show the importance of self-discipline?

The verse shows that despite the temptation of readily available honey, the soldiers maintained self-discipline and did not break their oath, highlighting the value of self-control.

What can we learn about fear in this verse?

The verse illustrates how fear of breaking an oath can lead to strict adherence to rules, even when the rules seem unreasonable.