The men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man who eats any food until it be evening, and I be avenged on my enemies. So none of the people tasted food.
Aijalon (1 Samuel 14:31) stood about 17 miles west of Michmash. 1 Samuel 14:32-34 illustrate the confusion that resulted from Saul’s misguided oath. The Mosaic Law forbade eating meat with the blood not drained from it (Leviticus 17:10-14). The great stone (1 Samuel 14:33) served as a slaughtering table where the priests carefully prepared the meat for eating.