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For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/14.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here” (for at that time the ark of God was with the children of Israel).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/14.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here.” For at that time the ark of God was with the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/14.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Saul said to Ahijah, &#8220Bring the ark of God here.&#8221 For the ark of God was at that time with the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/14.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here.” For the ark of God was at that time with the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/14.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here.” For the ark of God was at that time with the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/14.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Saul said to Ahijah [the priest], “Bring the ark of God here.” For at that time the ark of God was with the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/14.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Saul told Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God,” for it was with the Israelites at that time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/14.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Saul told Ahijah, &#8220Bring the ark of God,&#8221 for it was with the Israelites at that time. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/14.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Saul said unto Ahijah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was there at that time with the children of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/14.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />At that time, Ahijah was serving as priest for the army of Israel, and Saul told him, "Come over here! Let's ask God what we should do." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/14.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Saul said unto Ahijah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was there at that time with the children of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/14.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring the priestly ephod," because Ahijah carried the ephod in front of Israel that day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/14.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Bring the ephod here," Saul said to Ahijah the priest. (On that day Ahijah was carrying it in front of the people of Israel.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/14.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Saul told Ahijah, "Bring the Ark of God here." For at that time the Ark of God was with the Israelis.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/14.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Saul said to Ahijah, ?Bring the ark of God.? (For at that time it was with the Israelites.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/14.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring near the ephod," for he was at that time wearing the ephod.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/14.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring near the ephod," for he wore the ephod at that time before Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/14.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Saul said to Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/14.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring God’s ark here.” For God’s ark was with the children of Israel at that time. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/14.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Saul says to Ahiah, “Bring the Ark of God near”; for the Ark of God has been with the sons of Israel on that day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/14.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Saul saith to Ahiah, 'Bring nigh the ark of God;' for the ark of God hath been on that day with the sons of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/14.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Saul will say to Ahiah, Bring near the ark of God. For the ark of God was in that day and the sons of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/14.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Saul said to Achias: Bring the ark of the Lord. (For the ark of God was there that day with the children of Israel.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/14.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of the God.” (For the ark of God was, in that day, with the sons of Israel in that place.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/14.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Saul then said to Ahijah, “Bring the ephod here.” (Ahijah was wearing the ephod before the Israelites at that time.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/14.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here.” For at that time the ark of God went with the Israelites.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/14.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Saul said to Ahiah, Bring here the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/14.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Shaul said to Akhia: “Bring the Ark of God!”, because the Ark of LORD JEHOVAH was there in that day with the children of Israel<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/14.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Saul said unto Ahijah: 'Bring hither the ark of God.' For the ark of God was there at that time with the children of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/14.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Saul said to Achia, Bring the ephod; for he wore the ephod in that day before Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/14-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=3576" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/14.htm">Jonathan's Victory over the Philistines</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>Saul said to the troops who were with him, “Call the roll and see who has left us.” And when they had called the roll, they saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: šā·’ūl (N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">Then Saul</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/281.htm" title="281: la·’ă·ḥî·yāh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- Brother of Yah, an Isr. name. Or pachiyahuw; from 'ach and Yahh; brother of Jah; Achijah, the name of nine Israelites.">to Ahijah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5066.htm" title="5066: hag·gî·šāh (V-Hifil-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To draw near, approach. ">“Bring</a> <a href="/hebrew/727.htm" title="727: ’ă·rō·wn (N-csc) -- A chest, ark. Or laron; from 'arah; a box.">the ark</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of God.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">(For</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hū (Art:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">at that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bay·yō·wm (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">time</a> <a href="/hebrew/727.htm" title="727: ’ă·rō·wn (N-csc) -- A chest, ark. Or laron; from 'arah; a box.">it</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God"></a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">was</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ū·ḇə·nê (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">with the Israelites.)</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity."></a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>While Saul was talking to the priest, the commotion in the Philistine camp continued to increase. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/27-21.htm">Numbers 27:21</a></span><br />He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/9-14.htm">Joshua 9:14</a></span><br />Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not seek the counsel of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-27.htm">Judges 20:27-28</a></span><br />And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there, / and Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, served before it.) The Israelites asked, “Should we again go out to battle against our brothers the Benjamites, or should we stop?” The LORD answered, “Fight, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/4-3.htm">1 Samuel 4:3-4</a></span><br />When the troops returned to the camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why has the LORD brought defeat on us before the Philistines today? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh, so that it may go with us to save us from the hand of our enemies.” / So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/7-1.htm">1 Samuel 7:1-2</a></span><br />Then the men of Kiriath-jearim came for the ark of the LORD and took it into Abinadab’s house on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to guard the ark of the LORD. / And from that day a long time passed, twenty years in all, as the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim. And all the house of Israel mournfully sought the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-22.htm">1 Samuel 10:22</a></span><br />So again they inquired of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD replied, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/23-9.htm">1 Samuel 23:9-12</a></span><br />When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.” / And David said, “O LORD, God of Israel, Your servant has heard that Saul intends to come to Keilah and destroy the city on my account. / Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O LORD, God of Israel, please tell Your servant.” “He will,” said the LORD. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/30-7.htm">1 Samuel 30:7-8</a></span><br />Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought it to him, / and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/6-2.htm">2 Samuel 6:2-3</a></span><br />And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name—the name of the LORD of Hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on it. / They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-1.htm">1 Kings 8:1-9</a></span><br />At that time Solomon assembled before him in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David. / And all the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the feast in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim. / When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/3-11.htm">2 Kings 3:11</a></span><br />But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/13-3.htm">1 Chronicles 13:3</a></span><br />Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of Him in the days of Saul.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/15-11.htm">1 Chronicles 15:11-15</a></span><br />David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. / And he said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. / It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/5-2.htm">2 Chronicles 5:2-5</a></span><br />At that time Solomon assembled in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David. / So all the men of Israel came together to the king at the feast in the seventh month. / When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the Levites took up the ark, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/132-8.htm">Psalm 132:8</a></span><br />Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Saul said to Ahiah, Bring here the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/4-3.htm">1 Samuel 4:3-5</a></b></br> And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/30-8.htm">1 Samuel 30:8</a></b></br> And David inquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake <i>them</i>, and without fail recover <i>all</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/27-21.htm">Numbers 27:21</a></b></br> And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask <i>counsel</i> for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, <i>both</i> he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.</p><p class="hdg">For the ark</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/5-2.htm">1 Samuel 5:2</a></b></br> When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/7-1.htm">1 Samuel 7:1</a></b></br> And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/14-3.htm">Ahiah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-3.htm">Ahijah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-3.htm">Ahi'jah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-2.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-12.htm">Children</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-3.htm">Ephod</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-16.htm">Hither</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-12.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-20.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-9.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-17.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-13.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/4-3.htm">Ahiah</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-3.htm">Ahijah</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-3.htm">Ahi'jah</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-2.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-47.htm">Children</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-9.htm">Ephod</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-34.htm">Hither</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-21.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-21.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-38.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-19.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-21.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 14</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/14-1.htm">Jonathan goes and miraculously smites the Philistine's garrison</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/14-15.htm">A divine terror makes them beat themselves</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/14-17.htm">Saul, not staying the priest's answer, sets on them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/14-21.htm">The captivated Hebrews, and the hidden Israelites, join against them.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/14-24.htm">Saul's unadvised adjuration hinders the victory</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/14-31.htm">He restrains the people from eating blood</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/14-35.htm">He builds an altar</a></span><br><span class="reftext">37. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/14-37.htm">Jonathan, taken by lot, is save by the people</a></span><br><span class="reftext">47. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/14-47.htm">Saul's victories, strength, and family</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/14.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/14.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then Saul said to Ahijah,</b><br>Saul, the first king of Israel, is depicted here in a moment of decision-making during a military conflict with the Philistines. Ahijah, the priest, is a descendant of Eli, indicating the continuation of the priestly line despite the earlier judgment against Eli's house (<a href="/1_samuel/2-31.htm">1 Samuel 2:31-36</a>). This highlights the complex relationship between the monarchy and the priesthood in Israel, where the king often sought divine guidance through the priest.<p><b>“Bring the ark of God.”</b><br>The Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object in Israel, symbolizing God's presence and covenant with His people. Saul's request to bring the ark suggests a desire for divine guidance or favor in battle, reflecting a common practice of seeking God's will through sacred objects. However, this action can also be seen as presumptuous, as the ark was not typically used as a talisman in warfare. This echoes earlier events in <a href="/1_samuel/4.htm">1 Samuel 4</a>, where the Israelites brought the ark into battle against the Philistines, resulting in its capture due to their misplaced trust in the object rather than in God Himself.<p><b>(For at that time it was with the Israelites.)</b><br>This parenthetical note provides historical context, indicating that the ark was with the Israelites after being returned by the Philistines (1 Samuel 6). The ark's presence among the Israelites signifies a period of restored worship and divine favor, contrasting with the earlier period of its absence. This context underscores the importance of the ark in Israel's religious life and the belief in its power to influence the outcome of events. The presence of the ark also serves as a reminder of God's covenant promises and His faithfulness to His people, despite their frequent disobedience.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel, chosen by God but later rejected due to disobedience. In this passage, he seeks divine guidance during a military conflict.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ahijah.htm">Ahijah</a></b><br>A priest serving during Saul's reign, likely a descendant of Eli. He is called upon by Saul to bring the ark, indicating his role in religious matters.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ark_of_god.htm">The Ark of God</a></b><br>A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence and guidance among the Israelites.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, engaged in a battle with the Philistines at this time.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a></b><br>A neighboring people and frequent adversaries of Israel, known for their military prowess and conflicts with the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_guidance.htm">Seeking God's Guidance</a></b><br>Saul's request for the ark underscores the importance of seeking divine guidance in times of uncertainty. Believers today should prioritize prayer and scripture study to discern God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbol_vs._substance.htm">Symbol vs. Substance</a></b><br>The ark was a symbol of God's presence, but true reliance on God requires obedience and faith, not just ritualistic actions. Christians should ensure their faith is genuine and not merely symbolic.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_responsibility.htm">Leadership and Responsibility</a></b><br>Saul's leadership decisions had significant consequences for Israel. Leaders in any capacity should seek God's wisdom and act responsibly, understanding the impact of their choices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/historical_context_and_relevance.htm">Historical Context and Relevance</a></b><br>Understanding the historical and cultural context of biblical events enriches our comprehension and application of scripture. Believers should study the Bible with an awareness of its original setting.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_14.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 14</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_michal_aid_david's_escape.htm">Why did Michal help David escape from Saul?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_saul_offer_michal_to_david.htm">1 Samuel 18:20-21: Why would Saul offer his daughter Michal to David if he intended to harm him, and does this suggest inconsistencies within the narrative?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_saul_consult_a_medium_in_1_sam_28.htm">If necromancy is condemned (Deut. 18:9-12), how can 1 Samuel 28:7-25 portray Saul successfully consulting a medium?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_origin_of_demons.htm">What is Gibeah's significance in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/14.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">And Saul said unto Ahiah . . .</span>--The LXX. renders here, "And Saul said to Ahijah, Bring hither the ephod; for he bore the ephod in those days before the children of Israel." This is a statement easily to be understood. Saul was in doubt what to do under the present emergency. Should he--seeing the panic that was evidently increasing in the Philistine camp, and knowing nothing of the cause, only that his son and the armour-bearer were missing--should he risk his little force, and, leaving his strong position, attack that great host of apparently panic-stricken enemies? So he sent for the high priest Ahijah, and bade him consult the Urim and Thummim in his ephod.<p>But the Hebrew and all the versions read as in our English Version, "Bring hither the Ark of God" What does this mean? Was the Ark, then, with that little band of Saul? We never before, or after, find the slightest hint that the sacred coffer ever left the "city of woods" (Kiriath-yearim) until David bore it to Zion. Then, again, the word preceding "Bring hither" is never used in connection with the Ark. No question or oracle could be asked of the Ark or by the Ark. The Urim and Thummim, whatever these mysterious objects were alone were used to give answers to questions solemnly asked by king and people, and this Urim and Thummim were connected, not with the Ark, but with the high-priestly ephod. On the whole, the reading of the LXX. probably represents the original Hebrew. The present Hebrew text, with the word "Ark," is, however, clearly of extreme antiquity; the second part of the verse is most likely an explanatory gloss of some ancient scribe. Josephus' account of this transaction shows us that he had before him a text corresponding to the LXX. His words are, "He bid the priest take the garment of his high priesthood and prophesy" (<span class= "ital">Antiq., </span>6 ? 3). Maurer prefers the present Hebrew text, for he says, At that supreme moment of danger Saul wanted not the advice of an oracle, but rather the help and encouragement which the presence of the sacred Ark would give to his handful of soldiers. But this would rather degrade Saul to the level of the superstitious Hophni and Phinehas, the wicked sons of Eli. who, it will be remembered, exposed and lost the sacred Ark in the fatal battle in which they perished. Saul, with all his faults, was a far nobler type of man than those profligate, though brave, priests.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/14-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then Saul</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁאוּל֙</span> <span class="translit">(šā·’ūl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> </span><span class="str2">Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֤אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Ahijah,</span><br /><span class="heb">לַֽאֲחִיָּ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(la·’ă·ḥî·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_281.htm">Strong's 281: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ahijah -- 'brother of Yah', an Israelite name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Bring</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגִּ֖ישָׁה</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gî·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5066.htm">Strong's 5066: </a> </span><span class="str2">To draw near, approach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the ark</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲר֣וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·rō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_727.htm">Strong's 727: </a> </span><span class="str2">A chest, ark</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of God.”</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">(For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at that</span><br /><span class="heb">הַה֖וּא</span> <span class="translit">(ha·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">time</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּיּ֥וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(bay·yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲר֧וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·rō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_727.htm">Strong's 727: </a> </span><span class="str2">A chest, ark</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was</span><br /><span class="heb">הָיָ֞ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with the Israelites.)</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/14-18.htm">1 Samuel 14:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/14-18.htm">1 Samuel 14:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/14-18.htm">1 Samuel 14:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/14-18.htm">1 Samuel 14:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/14-18.htm">1 Samuel 14:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/14-18.htm">1 Samuel 14:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/14-18.htm">1 Samuel 14:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/14-18.htm">1 Samuel 14:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/14-18.htm">1 Samuel 14:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/14-18.htm">1 Samuel 14:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/14-18.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 14:18 Saul said to Ahijah Bring here (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/14-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 14:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 14:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/14-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 14:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 14:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>