1. 1 Samuel 14:19 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does Saul mean when he said to the priest Ahijah, "Withdraw your hand”?

1 Samuel 14:19 (ESV)

19 Now while Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”

Initially, Saul wanted guidance from the Lord as to how he should proceed. When it became clear to him that the Philistines were routing he did not want to miss the opportunity to attack, and he determined that it was no longer necessary for a special word from God.1