1 Samuel 14:4 Bible Verse Meaning, Explanation & Context
"Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines" garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side and a rocky crag on the other side; and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh."
Found near the beginning of the chapter, this verse lays the foundation for the themes ahead. Read this verse with nearby lines and chapter themes to avoid out-of-context interpretation.
Verse Navigation
Surrounding Context
These nearby verses help interpret 1 Samuel 14:4 inside the chapter flow.
1 Samuel 14:2
Saul stayed in the uttermost part of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in Migron; and the people who were with him were about six hundred men,
1 Samuel 14:3
including Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod"s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli the priest of Yahweh in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. The people didn"t know that Jonathan was gone.
1 Samuel 14:4
Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines" garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side and a rocky crag on the other side; and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
1 Samuel 14:5
The one crag rose up on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.
1 Samuel 14:6
Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come! Let"s go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that Yahweh will work for us, for there is no restraint on Yahweh to save by many or by few."
Meaning and Themes
1 Samuel 14:4 contains Scripture that reveals God's heart and invites personal response.
Reflection Questions
- What does the word "passes" suggest about God's character or His purposes in this verse?
- Read the verses immediately before and after 1 Samuel 14:4. How does the surrounding context change the way you understand this verse?
- If you were explaining 1 Samuel 14:4 to a friend, what is the one main idea you would share?
Praying This Verse
"Heavenly Father, as I read 1 Samuel 14:4 — "Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines" garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one…" — open my heart to understand what You are saying. Teach me about Your truth through this passage. Let these words shape how I think and act today. Help me carry this truth into every conversation and decision I face. In Jesus' name, amen."
Start with this prayer, then personalize it to your real situation.
5-Day Verse Study Plan
Day 1 — Read
Read 1 Samuel 14 in full. Mark where verse 4 sits and observe the flow of the chapter.
Day 2 — Observe
Read 1 Samuel 14:4 three times slowly. Write down every detail you notice: who is speaking, what is promised, and what action is described.
Day 3 — Interpret
Ask: What did 1 Samuel 14:4 mean to its original audience? Compare the wording in different translations if possible.
Day 4 — Apply
Write one sentence about how 1 Samuel 14:4 applies to your life this week. Share it with a friend or journal about it.
Day 5 — Pray
Turn 1 Samuel 14:4 into a personal prayer. Thank God for what the verse teaches, and ask Him to help you live it out.
Personalized Next Paths
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When you need peace
Use this verse to calm anxious thoughts and turn stress into prayer.
When you need direction
RecommendedTurn this verse into a decision-making framework for real choices.
When you need gratitude
Use this verse to shift from pressure to thanksgiving and trust.
When you need relational wisdom
Apply this verse to family, marriage, friendship, or team conflict.
Common Questions
What does 1 Samuel 14:4 mean?
1 Samuel 14:4 is best understood by reading the full chapter. The meaning deepens when you see what comes before and after.
How can I apply 1 Samuel 14:4 to my life today?
Start by reading 1 Samuel 14:4 slowly: "Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines" garrison, there was a ro…" Ask what it reveals about God, whether there is a command or promise, and how the truth connects to a situation you are facing right now.
Is 1 Samuel 14:4 a good verse to memorize?
Memorizing individual verses strengthens your faith. Read 1 Samuel 14:4 aloud several times, write it from memory, and revisit it throughout the week. Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Next Steps
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