The Church Fathers on this verse

1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 14:39Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

As the Lord liveth, who is the Saviour of Israel, if it was done by Jonathan, my son, he shall surely die. In this none of the people gainsayed him.

Douay-Rheims

כִּ֣י חַי־יְהוָ֗ה הַמּוֹשִׁ֙יעַ֙ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כִּ֧י אִם־יֶשְׁנ֛וֹ בְּיוֹנָתָ֥ן בְּנִ֖י כִּ֣י מ֣וֹת יָמ֑וּת וְאֵ֥ין עֹנֵ֖הוּ מִכָּל־הָעָֽם׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

Although the vow was violated, there was silence surrounding it, and none were bold enough to identify the wrongdoer. This silence itself represented a significant transgression, for not only are those who violate the vow culpable, but those who are aware of it and choose to hide the truth also share in the guilt. The sinner had not yet been revealed, yet judgment had already been carried out on him; without knowing the actual offender, the father assumed the role of the executioner, delivering a sentence of guilt prior to any inquiry into the matter.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.