👉 And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, [which] a yoke [of oxen might plow].
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 14:14. It’s a really interesting and dramatic passage about David and his enemies. Here's the explanation in simple terms: The Basic Situation: David is facing a significant threat – his enemy, Ish-bosheth, is trying to trick him into giving up his kingdom. He's ordered his men to kill a group of young men, who are essentially his personal guards and lieutenants. What Happened: Twenty Men: The men tasked with this killing were actually just twenty people total – a small group. Half an Acre: They were given a huge piece of land (about half an acre). Yoke of Oxen: This is the really key part. They were told to use oxen (like animals) to plow this land. The Meaning - It’s About Strategy & Avoiding a Fight: David, instead of fighting these men head-on, decided to trick them into a situation where they would be forced to leave their land. He ordered the oxen to plow the land, effectively making it unusable for them. This was a strategic move – he wasn’t trying to kill them; he was forcing them to surrender and move on. Why is this important? It shows David's intelligence and his ability to think outside the box. He used a clever plan that avoided a direct confrontation, saving him a lot of trouble and potentially preventing a war. In short: This verse describes a seemingly simple act (killing young men) that ultimately led to a brilliant and resourceful solution – David using a land-plowing strategy to outwit his enemies. Do you want me to delve deeper into any aspect of this verse, like its context in the story or what it reveals about David’s character? For example, would you like to know: More about the significance of the oxen? How this relates to a larger theme in the book of Samuel?
