1 Samuel 14:24 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

Were distressed, with hunger, and weakness, and faintness, thence arising; and all by reason of the following oath. As Saul's intention was good, namely, to execute vengeance upon God's and his enemies; so the matter of the obligation was not simply and in itself unlawful, if it had not been so rigorous in excluding all food, without any exception of cases of necessity; and in obliging the people to it under pain of a curse, and an accursed death, 1 Samuel 14:38,39,44, which was a punishment far exceeding the fault. None of the people tasted any food; partly in obedience to the king's command; and partly for fear of the curse.

1 Samuel 14:24

24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.