שמואל א, פרק י״ד, פסוק מ״ד

God has fallen silent, refusing to answer the Israelites because a sacred oath was broken. In a dramatic turning point, King Saul must judge his own son, Jonathan, placing the integrity of a public vow above his child's life. Saul issues a severe oath, using a common phrase of threat where the speaker deliberately leaves the exact punishment unspoken. Through this expression, Saul is actually accepting a curse upon himself, declaring that God should bring terrible harm upon him if Jonathan is not put to death [רד״ק, מצודת דוד].

Saul's unyielding decision to execute his son stems directly from the consequences of Jonathan's actions. By violating the sworn ban, Jonathan caused God to hide His face and refuse to answer the Israelites on that critical day [רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The severity of the punishment is emphasized through an intense, repeated decree of death. This repetition reveals Saul's understanding of Jonathan's spiritual condition. Because Jonathan broke the ban, he is already condemned to death by Heaven. Therefore, Saul rules that his son must suffer a physical execution in this world. This earthly death is intended to serve as an atonement and a substitute, sparing Jonathan from the heavenly punishment that would otherwise await him [אלשיך].