Jonathan's raid
One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man carrying his armour: Come on, let's cross over to the Philistine outpost on the other side. He didn't tell his father. Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree at Migron, with about six hundred men. Ahijah was there wearing a priestly apron. He was son of Ahitub, brother of Ichabod, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, who had been the Lord's priest at Shiloh. The troops did not know Jonathan had gone. On each side of the pass Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a rocky crag. One was called Bozez and the other Seneh. One crag stood to the north facing Michmash, the other to the south facing Geba. Jonathan said to his young armour-bearer: Come on, let's cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Maybe the Lord will act for us. Nothing can stop the Lord saving, whether by many or by few. His armour-bearer replied: Do whatever you have in mind. I'm with you all the way. All right, Jonathan said. We'll cross over toward them and let them see us. If they say, Stay there until we come to you, we'll stay put and won't climb up. But if they say, Come up here, we'll climb up. That'll be our sign the Lord has given them into our hands. The two of them let the Philistine outpost see them. The Philistines said: Look at that — the Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they hid in. The men at the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armour-bearer: Come up here and we'll teach you something. Jonathan told his armour-bearer: Follow me. The Lord has given them into Israel's hands. Jonathan climbed up using his hands and feet, with his armour-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armour-bearer finished them off behind him. In that first attack Jonathan and his armour-bearer killed about twenty men in an area of roughly half an acre. Panic swept through the camp, the field and all the troops. Even the outpost and raiding parties were terrified. Then the earth shook, and the panic became overwhelming. Saul's lookouts at Gibeah in Benjamin saw the Philistine army melting away in confusion. Saul told the men with him: Count everyone and find out who's missing. They checked and discovered Jonathan and his armour-bearer were gone. Saul said to Ahijah: Bring the ark of God. At that time the ark of God was with the Israelites. While Saul was speaking to the priest, the noise from the Philistine camp grew louder and louder. Saul told the priest: Never mind — withdraw your hand. Saul and all the men with him rushed into the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, every man's sword turned against his mate. Hebrews who had previously been with the Philistines and had gone up with them into camp switched sides and joined the Israelites with Saul and Jonathan. When the Israelites hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard the Philistines were fleeing, they joined the pursuit. So the Lord saved Israel that day, and the battle moved beyond Beth-Aven.
Now it happened one day that Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armour: Come and let's go over to the garrison of the Philistines on the other side. But he didn't tell his father. And Saul stayed at the far edge of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. And the people with him were about six hundred men. And Ahijah son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, son of Phinehas son of Eli the Lord's priest in Shiloh, was wearing an ephod. And the people didn't know Jonathan had gone. And between the passes Jonathan looked to go over to the garrison of the Philistines, there was a sharp rock on one side and a sharp rock on the other side. And the name of one was Bozez and the name of the other Seneh. The one rock rose up on the north opposite Mikmash and the other on the south opposite Gibeah. And Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armour: Come and let's go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. Maybe the Lord will work for us. Because nothing holds the Lord back from saving by many or by few. And his armour-bearer said to him: Do everything that's in your heart. Turn where you like. Look — I'm with you according to your heart. Then Jonathan said: Look — we'll go over to these men and show ourselves to them. If they say to us: Wait till we come to you — then we'll stand still in our place and won't go up to them. But if they say: Come up to us — then we'll go up. Because the Lord has handed them over into our hand. And this will be the sign to us. And they both showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said: Look — the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they'd hidden themselves. And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armour-bearer: Come up to us, and we'll show you something. And Jonathan said to his armour-bearer: Come up after me, because the Lord has handed them over into the hand of Israel. And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and on his feet, and his armour-bearer after him. And they fell in front of Jonathan. And his armour-bearer killed them after him. And that first killing that Jonathan and his armour-bearer made was about twenty men, in about half an acre of land. And there was trembling in the camp, in the field and among all the people. The garrison and the raiders trembled too, and the earth shook. So it was a very great trembling. And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked. And there was the crowd melting away, and they went on beating each other down. Then Saul said to the people with him: Count now and see who's gone from us. And when they'd counted, Jonathan and his armour-bearer weren't there. And Saul said to Ahijah: Bring the ark of God here. Because the ark of God was with the people of Israel at that time. And while Saul talked to the priest, the noise in the camp of the Philistines went on and grew. And Saul said to the priest: Pull back your hand. And Saul and all the people with him gathered themselves and came to the battle. And there was every man's sword against his mate, and a very great uproar. What's more, the Hebrews who'd been with the Philistines before and had gone up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. All the men of Israel too who'd hidden themselves in Mount Ephraim, when they heard the Philistines had run, they chased hard after them in the battle. So the Lord saved Israel that day. And the battle went over to Beth Aven.
Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father. And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men; And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD’s priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone. And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few. And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart. Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them. If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us. And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves. And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel. And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him. 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. And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling. And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another. Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there. And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel. And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand. And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture. Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan. Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle. So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.
One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man carrying his armour: Come on, let's cross over to the Philistine outpost on the other side. He didn't tell his father.
Now it happened one day that Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armour: Come and let's go over to the garrison of the Philistines on the other side. But he didn't tell his father.
Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.
Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree at Migron, with about six hundred men.
And Saul stayed at the far edge of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. And the people with him were about six hundred men.
And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;
Ahijah was there wearing a priestly apron. He was son of Ahitub, brother of Ichabod, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, who had been the Lord's priest at Shiloh. The troops did not know Jonathan had gone.
And Ahijah son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, son of Phinehas son of Eli the Lord's priest in Shiloh, was wearing an ephod. And the people didn't know Jonathan had gone.
And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD’s priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
On each side of the pass Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a rocky crag. One was called Bozez and the other Seneh.
And between the passes Jonathan looked to go over to the garrison of the Philistines, there was a sharp rock on one side and a sharp rock on the other side. And the name of one was Bozez and the name of the other Seneh.
And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
One crag stood to the north facing Michmash, the other to the south facing Geba.
The one rock rose up on the north opposite Mikmash and the other on the south opposite Gibeah.
The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.
Jonathan said to his young armour-bearer: Come on, let's cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Maybe the Lord will act for us. Nothing can stop the Lord saving, whether by many or by few.
And Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armour: Come and let's go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. Maybe the Lord will work for us. Because nothing holds the Lord back from saving by many or by few.
And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.
His armour-bearer replied: Do whatever you have in mind. I'm with you all the way.
And his armour-bearer said to him: Do everything that's in your heart. Turn where you like. Look — I'm with you according to your heart.
And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.
All right, Jonathan said. We'll cross over toward them and let them see us.
Then Jonathan said: Look — we'll go over to these men and show ourselves to them.
Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.
If they say, Stay there until we come to you, we'll stay put and won't climb up.
If they say to us: Wait till we come to you — then we'll stand still in our place and won't go up to them.
If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.
But if they say, Come up here, we'll climb up. That'll be our sign the Lord has given them into our hands.
But if they say: Come up to us — then we'll go up. Because the Lord has handed them over into our hand. And this will be the sign to us.
But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.
The two of them let the Philistine outpost see them. The Philistines said: Look at that — the Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they hid in.
And they both showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said: Look — the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they'd hidden themselves.
And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
The men at the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armour-bearer: Come up here and we'll teach you something. Jonathan told his armour-bearer: Follow me. The Lord has given them into Israel's hands.
And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armour-bearer: Come up to us, and we'll show you something. And Jonathan said to his armour-bearer: Come up after me, because the Lord has handed them over into the hand of Israel.
And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.
Jonathan climbed up using his hands and feet, with his armour-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armour-bearer finished them off behind him.
And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and on his feet, and his armour-bearer after him. And they fell in front of Jonathan. And his armour-bearer killed them after him.
And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.
In that first attack Jonathan and his armour-bearer killed about twenty men in an area of roughly half an acre.
And that first killing that Jonathan and his armour-bearer made was about twenty men, in about half an acre of land.
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.
Panic swept through the camp, the field and all the troops. Even the outpost and raiding parties were terrified. Then the earth shook, and the panic became overwhelming.
And there was trembling in the camp, in the field and among all the people. The garrison and the raiders trembled too, and the earth shook. So it was a very great trembling.
And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.
Saul's lookouts at Gibeah in Benjamin saw the Philistine army melting away in confusion.
And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked. And there was the crowd melting away, and they went on beating each other down.
And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.
Saul told the men with him: Count everyone and find out who's missing. They checked and discovered Jonathan and his armour-bearer were gone.
Then Saul said to the people with him: Count now and see who's gone from us. And when they'd counted, Jonathan and his armour-bearer weren't there.
Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.
Saul said to Ahijah: Bring the ark of God. At that time the ark of God was with the Israelites.
And Saul said to Ahijah: Bring the ark of God here. Because the ark of God was with the people of Israel at that time.
And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.
While Saul was speaking to the priest, the noise from the Philistine camp grew louder and louder. Saul told the priest: Never mind — withdraw your hand.
And while Saul talked to the priest, the noise in the camp of the Philistines went on and grew. And Saul said to the priest: Pull back your hand.
And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.
Saul and all the men with him rushed into the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, every man's sword turned against his mate.
And Saul and all the people with him gathered themselves and came to the battle. And there was every man's sword against his mate, and a very great uproar.
And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.
Hebrews who had previously been with the Philistines and had gone up with them into camp switched sides and joined the Israelites with Saul and Jonathan.
What's more, the Hebrews who'd been with the Philistines before and had gone up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.
When the Israelites hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard the Philistines were fleeing, they joined the pursuit.
All the men of Israel too who'd hidden themselves in Mount Ephraim, when they heard the Philistines had run, they chased hard after them in the battle.
Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.
So the Lord saved Israel that day, and the battle moved beyond Beth-Aven.
So the Lord saved Israel that day. And the battle went over to Beth Aven.
So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.
Saul's rash oath
The Israelites were exhausted that day because Saul had bound the army under an oath: Cursed is anyone who eats before evening, before I've taken revenge on my enemies. So nobody touched any food. The whole army entered the woods, where there was honey on the ground. They saw honey dripping there, but nobody put any to his mouth because they were afraid of the oath. Jonathan hadn't heard his father bind the people with the oath. He dipped the end of his staff into the honeycomb, raised it to his mouth, and his eyes brightened. One of the soldiers told Jonathan: Your father put the army under a strict oath: Cursed is anyone who eats today. No wonder the men are exhausted. Jonathan said: My father has made a mess of the country. Look how my eyes brightened after just a taste of this honey. Imagine how much better it would've been if the troops had eaten freely today from the plunder they took. The slaughter of the Philistines would've been far greater. That day they struck the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, and the troops became completely exhausted. The men pounced on the plunder, slaughtered sheep, cattle and calves on the ground, and ate the meat with the blood still in it. Someone told Saul: The troops are sinning against the Lord by eating meat with the blood. Saul said: You've acted faithlessly. Roll a large stone over here at once. Saul said: Spread out among the troops and tell them: Each man bring me his ox or sheep, slaughter it here and then eat. Don't sin against the Lord by eating meat with the blood still in it. So that night everyone brought his ox and slaughtered it there. Saul built an altar to the Lord. It was the first altar he had built to the Lord. Saul said: Let's go after the Philistines tonight and plunder them until morning. We won't leave one of them alive. The men answered: Do whatever you think is best. But the priest said: Let's inquire of God here first. Saul asked God: Should I go after the Philistines? Will you give them into Israel's hand? But God did not answer him that day. Saul said: All you leaders of the people, come here. We need to find out what sin has been committed today. As surely as the Lord who saves Israel lives, even if the guilt lies with my son Jonathan, he must die. But not one person answered Saul. Then Saul told all Israel: You stand on one side. Jonathan and I will stand on the other. The people answered: Do whatever you think is right. Saul prayed: Lord God of Israel, give a clear answer. The lot fell on Saul and Jonathan, and the people were cleared. Saul said: Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan. Jonathan was chosen. Saul said to Jonathan: Tell me what you've done. Jonathan told him: I only tasted a little honey with the end of my staff. And now I'm supposed to die? Saul said: May God deal with me ever so severely if you don't die, Jonathan. But the people said to Saul: Jonathan die? The man who won this great victory for Israel? Not a chance. As surely as the Lord lives, not one hair of his head will fall to the ground, because today he fought with God's help. So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die. Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and they returned to their own territory.
And the men of Israel were pressed hard that day. Because Saul had made the people swear: Cursed is the man who eats any food till evening, so I can pay back the ones against me. So none of the people tasted any food. And all the people of the land came into a wood, and there was honey on the ground. And when the people had come into the wood, there was the honey dripping. But nobody put his hand to his mouth, because the people were frightened of the oath. But Jonathan hadn't heard when his father made the people swear. So he put out the end of the staff in his hand and dipped it in a honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth. And his eyes were brightened. Then one of the people answered: Your father made the people swear a solemn oath: Cursed is the man who eats any food today. And the people were faint. Then Jonathan said: My father has troubled the land. Look, please, how my eyes have been brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. How much more if the people had eaten freely today of the plunder of the ones against them that they found. Because wouldn't there have been a much greater killing among the Philistines? And they struck the Philistines that day from Mikmash to Aijalon. And the people were very faint. And the people flew on the plunder and took sheep and oxen and calves and killed them on the ground. And the people ate them with the blood. Then they told Saul: Look — the people are sinning against the Lord, by eating with the blood. And he said: You've broken faith. Roll a big stone to me today. And Saul said: Scatter yourselves among the people and say to them: Bring me here every man his ox and every man his sheep, and kill them here and eat. And don't sin against the Lord by eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night and killed them there. And Saul built an altar to the Lord. That was the first altar he built to the Lord. And Saul said: Let's go down after the Philistines by night and take plunder from them till the morning light, and let's not leave a man of them. And they said: Do whatever seems good to you. Then the priest said: Let's come near to God here. And Saul asked counsel of God: Should I go down after the Philistines? Will you hand them over into the hand of Israel? But he didn't answer him that day. And Saul said: Come here, all you chief of the people, and know and see what this sin has been today. Because as surely as the Lord lives, who saves Israel, even if it's in Jonathan my son, he'll definitely die. But there wasn't a man among all the people who answered him. Then he said to all Israel: You be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said to Saul: Do what seems good to you. So Saul said to the Lord God of Israel: Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken, but the people got away. And Saul said: Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken. Then Saul said to Jonathan: Tell me what you've done. And Jonathan told him: I definitely tasted a little honey with the end of the staff in my hand. And look — I have to die. And Saul answered: God do that and more. Because you'll definitely die, Jonathan. And the people said to Saul: Should Jonathan die, who's worked this great salvation in Israel? God forbid. As surely as the Lord lives, not one hair of his head will fall to the ground. Because he's worked with God today. So the people rescued Jonathan, so he didn't die. Then Saul went up from chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.
And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food. And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground. And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath. But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened. Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint. Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey. How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines? And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint. And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood. Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day. And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there. And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD. And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God. And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day. And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day. For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him. Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee. Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped. And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken. Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die. And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan. And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not. Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.
The Israelites were exhausted that day because Saul had bound the army under an oath: Cursed is anyone who eats before evening, before I've taken revenge on my enemies. So nobody touched any food.
And the men of Israel were pressed hard that day. Because Saul had made the people swear: Cursed is the man who eats any food till evening, so I can pay back the ones against me. So none of the people tasted any food.
And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
The whole army entered the woods, where there was honey on the ground.
And all the people of the land came into a wood, and there was honey on the ground.
And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.
They saw honey dripping there, but nobody put any to his mouth because they were afraid of the oath.
And when the people had come into the wood, there was the honey dripping. But nobody put his hand to his mouth, because the people were frightened of the oath.
And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.
Jonathan hadn't heard his father bind the people with the oath. He dipped the end of his staff into the honeycomb, raised it to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.
But Jonathan hadn't heard when his father made the people swear. So he put out the end of the staff in his hand and dipped it in a honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth. And his eyes were brightened.
But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
One of the soldiers told Jonathan: Your father put the army under a strict oath: Cursed is anyone who eats today. No wonder the men are exhausted.
Then one of the people answered: Your father made the people swear a solemn oath: Cursed is the man who eats any food today. And the people were faint.
Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.
Jonathan said: My father has made a mess of the country. Look how my eyes brightened after just a taste of this honey.
Then Jonathan said: My father has troubled the land. Look, please, how my eyes have been brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.
Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
Imagine how much better it would've been if the troops had eaten freely today from the plunder they took. The slaughter of the Philistines would've been far greater.
How much more if the people had eaten freely today of the plunder of the ones against them that they found. Because wouldn't there have been a much greater killing among the Philistines?
How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?
That day they struck the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, and the troops became completely exhausted.
And they struck the Philistines that day from Mikmash to Aijalon. And the people were very faint.
And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.
The men pounced on the plunder, slaughtered sheep, cattle and calves on the ground, and ate the meat with the blood still in it.
And the people flew on the plunder and took sheep and oxen and calves and killed them on the ground. And the people ate them with the blood.
And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.
Someone told Saul: The troops are sinning against the Lord by eating meat with the blood. Saul said: You've acted faithlessly. Roll a large stone over here at once.
Then they told Saul: Look — the people are sinning against the Lord, by eating with the blood. And he said: You've broken faith. Roll a big stone to me today.
Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.
Saul said: Spread out among the troops and tell them: Each man bring me his ox or sheep, slaughter it here and then eat. Don't sin against the Lord by eating meat with the blood still in it. So that night everyone brought his ox and slaughtered it there.
And Saul said: Scatter yourselves among the people and say to them: Bring me here every man his ox and every man his sheep, and kill them here and eat. And don't sin against the Lord by eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night and killed them there.
And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.
Saul built an altar to the Lord. It was the first altar he had built to the Lord.
And Saul built an altar to the Lord. That was the first altar he built to the Lord.
And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.
Saul said: Let's go after the Philistines tonight and plunder them until morning. We won't leave one of them alive. The men answered: Do whatever you think is best. But the priest said: Let's inquire of God here first.
And Saul said: Let's go down after the Philistines by night and take plunder from them till the morning light, and let's not leave a man of them. And they said: Do whatever seems good to you. Then the priest said: Let's come near to God here.
And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.
Saul asked God: Should I go after the Philistines? Will you give them into Israel's hand? But God did not answer him that day.
And Saul asked counsel of God: Should I go down after the Philistines? Will you hand them over into the hand of Israel? But he didn't answer him that day.
And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.
Saul said: All you leaders of the people, come here. We need to find out what sin has been committed today.
And Saul said: Come here, all you chief of the people, and know and see what this sin has been today.
And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.
As surely as the Lord who saves Israel lives, even if the guilt lies with my son Jonathan, he must die. But not one person answered Saul.
Because as surely as the Lord lives, who saves Israel, even if it's in Jonathan my son, he'll definitely die. But there wasn't a man among all the people who answered him.
For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.
Then Saul told all Israel: You stand on one side. Jonathan and I will stand on the other. The people answered: Do whatever you think is right.
Then he said to all Israel: You be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said to Saul: Do what seems good to you.
Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee.
Saul prayed: Lord God of Israel, give a clear answer. The lot fell on Saul and Jonathan, and the people were cleared.
So Saul said to the Lord God of Israel: Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken, but the people got away.
Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.
Saul said: Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan. Jonathan was chosen.
And Saul said: Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.
And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.
Saul said to Jonathan: Tell me what you've done. Jonathan told him: I only tasted a little honey with the end of my staff. And now I'm supposed to die?
Then Saul said to Jonathan: Tell me what you've done. And Jonathan told him: I definitely tasted a little honey with the end of the staff in my hand. And look — I have to die.
Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.
Saul said: May God deal with me ever so severely if you don't die, Jonathan.
And Saul answered: God do that and more. Because you'll definitely die, Jonathan.
And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.
But the people said to Saul: Jonathan die? The man who won this great victory for Israel? Not a chance. As surely as the Lord lives, not one hair of his head will fall to the ground, because today he fought with God's help. So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.
And the people said to Saul: Should Jonathan die, who's worked this great salvation in Israel? God forbid. As surely as the Lord lives, not one hair of his head will fall to the ground. Because he's worked with God today. So the people rescued Jonathan, so he didn't die.
And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.
Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and they returned to their own territory.
Then Saul went up from chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.
Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.
Saul's wars and family
After Saul took the kingship over Israel, he fought his enemies on every side: Moab, Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he defeated them. He fought bravely, struck the Amalekites and rescued Israel from those who plundered them. Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malchi-Shua. His daughters were Merab, the older, and Michal, the younger. Saul's wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The commander of his army was Abner son of Ner, Saul's uncle. Kish was Saul's father, and Ner, Abner's father, was a son of Abiel. There was fierce war with the Philistines throughout Saul's reign. Whenever Saul saw a strong or capable fighter, he brought the man into his service.
So Saul took the kingdom over Israel and fought the ones against him on every side — against Moab and against the sons of Ammon and against Edom and against the kings of Zobah and against the Philistines. And wherever he turned, he did harm to them. And he gathered an army and struck the Amalekites, and rescued Israel out of the hands of the ones who robbed them. Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan and Ishvi and Malki-Shua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal. And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the captain of his army was Abner son of Ner, Saul's uncle. And Kish was the father of Saul. And Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. And there was hard war against the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man or any brave man, he took him to himself.
So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them. And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them. Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal: And the name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle. And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.
After Saul took the kingship over Israel, he fought his enemies on every side: Moab, Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he defeated them.
So Saul took the kingdom over Israel and fought the ones against him on every side — against Moab and against the sons of Ammon and against Edom and against the kings of Zobah and against the Philistines. And wherever he turned, he did harm to them.
So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.
He fought bravely, struck the Amalekites and rescued Israel from those who plundered them.
And he gathered an army and struck the Amalekites, and rescued Israel out of the hands of the ones who robbed them.
And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.
Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malchi-Shua. His daughters were Merab, the older, and Michal, the younger.
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan and Ishvi and Malki-Shua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal.
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:
Saul's wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The commander of his army was Abner son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the captain of his army was Abner son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
And the name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.
Kish was Saul's father, and Ner, Abner's father, was a son of Abiel.
And Kish was the father of Saul. And Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
There was fierce war with the Philistines throughout Saul's reign. Whenever Saul saw a strong or capable fighter, he brought the man into his service.
And there was hard war against the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man or any brave man, he took him to himself.
And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.