Meanwhile, Saul was staying under the pomegranate treeThis phrase indicates a pause or a moment of inaction on Saul's part. The pomegranate tree is often associated with abundance and fertility in the Bible, but here it may symbolize a lack of decisive leadership. Saul's inactivity contrasts with Jonathan's proactive faith in the preceding verses. The pomegranate tree could also suggest a place of shade and rest, indicating Saul's hesitance or indecision during a critical time.
in Migron on the outskirts of Gibeah.
Migron is a location near Gibeah, Saul's hometown and the center of his early reign. The mention of Migron provides a geographical context, suggesting a strategic position near the Philistine threat. Gibeah, meaning "hill," was a significant location in Saul's life, serving as his base of operations. The proximity to Gibeah highlights Saul's connection to his roots and the tribal lands of Benjamin, emphasizing the local nature of his kingship at this point.
And the troops who were with him numbered about six hundred men,
The number six hundred is significant, as it reflects a small, perhaps insufficient, force compared to the Philistine army. This detail underscores the dire situation Israel faced and Saul's limited resources. The number also recalls previous instances in Israel's history where God delivered His people despite overwhelming odds, such as Gideon's three hundred men. This sets the stage for a demonstration of God's power and the importance of faith over numbers, a recurring theme in the biblical narrative.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SaulThe first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. At this point in the account, Saul is leading Israel against the Philistines.
2.
GibeahA town in the territory of Benjamin, often associated with Saul as it was his hometown and the location of his royal residence.
3.
Pomegranate TreeA specific location under which Saul was staying. The pomegranate tree may symbolize abundance and fertility, but here it serves as a marker of Saul's inactivity.
4.
MigronA location near Gibeah, possibly a strategic military position or a place of encampment.
5.
Six Hundred MenThe number of soldiers with Saul, indicating a small force compared to the Philistine army, highlighting the dire situation Israel faced.
Teaching Points
Leadership in CrisisSaul's position under the pomegranate tree symbolizes a lack of decisive leadership. In times of crisis, leaders are called to be proactive and seek God's guidance rather than remain passive.
Spiritual InactivityJust as Saul was physically inactive, believers must guard against spiritual inactivity. We are called to be vigilant and active in our faith, especially when facing challenges.
Trust in God's ProvisionDespite the small number of men with Saul, God's past deliverances remind us that victory does not depend on numbers but on God's power and presence.
Symbolism of the PomegranateWhile the pomegranate often symbolizes abundance, Saul's inactivity under the tree serves as a reminder that true abundance comes from obedience to God.
The Importance of ObedienceSaul's earlier disobedience set the stage for his current predicament. Obedience to God's commands is crucial for His favor and guidance.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 14:2?
2.How does Saul's location in 1 Samuel 14:2 reflect his leadership style?
3.What can we learn from Saul's inaction under the "pomegranate tree"?
4.How does Saul's situation compare to other biblical leaders' reliance on God?
5.How can we avoid spiritual complacency as seen in 1 Samuel 14:2?
6.What steps can we take to actively seek God's guidance in leadership?
7.What is the significance of Saul's location under the pomegranate tree in 1 Samuel 14:2?
8.How does Saul's inaction in 1 Samuel 14:2 reflect on his leadership qualities?
9.Why is the number of men with Saul in 1 Samuel 14:2 important?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 14?
11.How could Jonathan and his armor-bearer realistically defeat twenty Philistine warriors in such a small area (1 Samuel 14:12–14)?
12.How did King Saul die? (1 Samuel 31:4-6 vs. 2 Samuel 1:8-10)
13.1 Chronicles 14:8-17 - How do we reconcile any discrepancies between this account of David's battles with the Philistines and the parallel text in 2 Samuel 5?
14.Who killed Saul? Saul took his own sword and fell upon it.... Thus Saul died... (I Samuel 31:4-6) An Amalekite slew him (2 Samuel 1:1- 16)What Does 1 Samuel 14:2 Mean
Meanwhile“Meanwhile” (1 Samuel 14:2) drops us into two simultaneous scenes: Jonathan is moving forward in faith (14:1), while Saul is stationary.
• The narrative contrast—Jonathan advancing, Saul sitting—highlights differing responses to the Philistine threat (14:6–7; 13:5–7).
• Scripture often pairs a leader’s hesitation with another’s bold obedience: think of Barak and Deborah (Judges 4:4–10) or Moses and Caleb (Numbers 14:6–10).
• The word “meanwhile” reminds us that God’s purposes press on even when leaders hesitate (Esther 4:14).
Saul was staying under the pomegranate treeSaul’s choice of a shaded spot exposes more than a preference for comfort.
• He had once rallied Israel decisively (11:5–11); now he waits. Compare his later posture “under the tamarisk tree” with spear in hand, stewing in jealousy (22:6).
• The shade tree echoes Deborah’s judgment seat under her palm (Judges 4:5), but Saul offers no counsel or command; he merely lingers.
• His inactivity follows a pattern: earlier he delayed when Samuel had told him to wait seven days (13:8–12); now he waits when action is needed (14:18–19).
• The verse illustrates that spiritual leadership is measured by faith-driven movement, not comfortable positioning (James 2:17).
In Migron on the outskirts of GibeahMigron lies just north of Saul’s hometown, Gibeah (10:26).
• By remaining near familiar turf, Saul chooses safety over strategic advance toward the Philistine garrison at Michmash (14:5).
• Gibeah carries mixed memories: a place of royal beginnings (10:26) and past national shame (Judges 19:14–30). Staying here signals looking backward instead of forward.
• God often calls His people away from the edge of comfort into the field of battle—Abram leaving Haran (Genesis 12:1), David stepping onto the valley floor against Goliath (17:40).
• Saul’s location underscores the danger of dwelling on the margin of obedience rather than entering the center of God’s purposes.
The troops who were with him numbered about six hundred menIsrael’s army had dwindled from 3,000 (13:2) to 600, the same number recorded right after Samuel left Saul at Gilgal (13:15).
• Fear, not strategy, thinned the ranks (13:6–7). Yet Jonathan’s later exploit will inspire deserting Israelites and even defected Hebrews to return (14:21–22).
• God often works through small remnants—Gideon’s 300 (Judges 7:6–7), the faithful “7000” in Elijah’s day (1 Kings 19:18).
• The verse reveals that numerical weakness cannot hinder divine victory when God’s people rely on Him (Zechariah 4:6).
• Saul’s 600 contrasts with the Philistines’ overwhelming force (13:5), stressing the need for faith rather than mere headcount (Psalm 20:7).
summary1 Samuel 14:2 pictures Saul seated beneath a pomegranate tree near Gibeah with a shrinking force of 600. Every detail accents hesitation: while Jonathan steps out in trust, Saul clings to comfort, proximity, and visible resources. The verse warns against passive leadership and urges reliance on God rather than circumstance, reminding us that decisive faith, not convenient shelter, positions God’s people for victory.
(2)
Under a pomegranate tree.--The love of Saul for trees, which was so common among the children of Israel, has been noticed. (See again 1 Samuel 22,
1Samuel 14:6. The king is spoken of as under the tamarisk of Ramali; Deborah is specially mentioned as judging Israel under the palm-tree in Beth-el.)
Verse 2. -
Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah.I.e. the part nearest Geba.
Under, not
a, but
the pomegranate tree, the well known tree at Migron. Saul evidently shared to the full in the love of trees common among the Israelites (see
1 Samuel 22:6). The Hebrew word for pomegranate is Rimmon, but there is no doubt that the tree is here meant, and not the rock Rimmon (
Judges 20:45, 47), so called probably from a fancied resemblance to the fruit.
Migron, said to mean a
cliff was apparently a common name for localities in this mountainous district, as in
Isaiah 10:28 we read of one lying to the north of Michmash, whereas this is to the south.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Meanwhile, Saulוְשָׁא֗וּל(wə·šā·’ūl)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586:Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israeliteswas stayingיוֹשֵׁב֙(yō·wō·šêḇ)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3427:To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marryunderתַּ֥חַת(ta·ḥaṯ)Preposition
Strong's 8478:The bottom, below, in lieu ofthe pomegranate treeהָרִמּ֖וֹן(hā·rim·mō·wn)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7416:A pomegranate, the tree, the fruitin Migronבְּמִגְר֑וֹן(bə·miḡ·rō·wn)Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4051:Migron -- an area near Gibeah, also a place North of Michmashon the outskirtsבִּקְצֵ֣ה(biq·ṣêh)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7097:End, extremityof Gibeah.הַגִּבְעָ֔ה(hag·giḇ·‘āh)Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1390:Gibeah -- 'hill', three cities in PalestineAnd the troopsוְהָעָם֙(wə·hā·‘ām)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flockwho [were]אֲשֶׁ֣ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatwith himעִמּ֔וֹ(‘im·mōw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973:With, equally withnumbered about sixכְּשֵׁ֥שׁ(kə·šêš)Preposition-k | Number - feminine singular
Strong's 8337:Six (a cardinal number)hundredמֵא֖וֹת(mê·’ō·wṯ)Number - feminine plural
Strong's 3967:A hundredmen,אִֽישׁ׃(’îš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male person
Links
1 Samuel 14:2 NIV1 Samuel 14:2 NLT1 Samuel 14:2 ESV1 Samuel 14:2 NASB1 Samuel 14:2 KJV
1 Samuel 14:2 BibleApps.com1 Samuel 14:2 Biblia Paralela1 Samuel 14:2 Chinese Bible1 Samuel 14:2 French Bible1 Samuel 14:2 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Samuel 14:2 Saul abode in the uttermost part (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) 
