Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Samuel 14:28

"Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth food this day. And the people were faint." — 1 Samuel 14:28 (ASV)

And the people were faint - This should be read as “are faint,” as the words are part of the man’s complaint.