What does 1 Samuel 14:23 Mean?

Context Summary

Saul's unwise prohibition had a terrible sequel: first, in the exhaustion of his troops; and, second, in the rushing of the hungry upon the spoil without the proper separation of blood. Then, as the day closed in, the divine oracle was dumb. Evidently some sin had interposed its dark shadow between the king and the Eternal Light. See 1 Samuel 14:37. Saul knew this, but he refused to look for the sin in his own heart, even when he and Jonathan stood alone. See 1 Samuel 14:42.

The cause of the discomfiture and silence was not in Jonathan. Saul was alone to blame. In that the good sense of the people decided rigidly. Not only had the king marred and missed the greatest opportunity of his life, but he was already enwrapping his soul in that jealousy, moroseness of temper and impetuosity of judgment which ruined his after-career. In Paul's expressive phrase, he became a castaway, and was flung from the mighty hand which longed to make Him a vessel unto honor, meet for every noble work. See 1 Corinthians 9:27; 2 Timothy 2:21. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Samuel 14

¹  Jonathan goes and miraculously smites the Philistine's garrison
¹⁵  A divine terror makes them beat themselves
¹⁷  Saul, not staying the priest's answer, sets on them
²¹  The captivated Hebrews, and the hidden Israelites, join against them
²⁴  Saul's unadvised adjuration hinders the victory
³¹  He restrains the people from eating blood
³⁵  He builds an altar
³⁷  Jonathan, taken by lot, is save by the people
⁴⁷  Saul's victories, strength, and family