Samuel Rebukes Saul

13 Saul was thirty[a] years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-[b] two years.

Saul chose three thousand men from Israel; two thousand(A) were with him at Mikmash(B) and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah(C) in Benjamin. The rest of the men he sent back to their homes.

Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost(D) at Geba,(E) and the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul had the trumpet(F) blown throughout the land and said, “Let the Hebrews hear!” So all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked the Philistine outpost, and now Israel has become obnoxious(G) to the Philistines.” And the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.

The Philistines assembled(H) to fight Israel, with three thousand[c] chariots, six thousand charioteers, and soldiers as numerous as the sand(I) on the seashore. They went up and camped at Mikmash,(J) east of Beth Aven.(K) When the Israelites saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed, they hid(L) in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns.(M) Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad(N) and Gilead.

Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking(O) with fear. He waited seven(P) days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered(Q) up the burnt offering. 10 Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel(R) arrived, and Saul went out to greet(S) him.

11 “What have you done?” asked Samuel.

Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash,(T) 12 I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal,(U) and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.(V)’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”

13 “You have done a foolish thing,(W)” Samuel said. “You have not kept(X) the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.(Y) 14 But now your kingdom(Z) will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart(AA) and appointed(AB) him ruler(AC) of his people, because you have not kept(AD) the Lord’s command.”

15 Then Samuel left Gilgal[d] and went up to Gibeah(AE) in Benjamin, and Saul counted the men who were with him. They numbered about six hundred.(AF)

Israel Without Weapons

16 Saul and his son Jonathan and the men with them were staying in Gibeah[e](AG) in Benjamin, while the Philistines camped at Mikmash. 17 Raiding(AH) parties went out from the Philistine camp in three detachments. One turned toward Ophrah(AI) in the vicinity of Shual, 18 another toward Beth Horon,(AJ) and the third toward the borderland overlooking the Valley of Zeboyim(AK) facing the wilderness.

19 Not a blacksmith(AL) could be found in the whole land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears!(AM) 20 So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plow points, mattocks, axes and sickles[f] sharpened. 21 The price was two-thirds of a shekel[g] for sharpening plow points and mattocks, and a third of a shekel[h] for sharpening forks and axes and for repointing goads.

22 So on the day of the battle not a soldier with Saul and Jonathan(AN) had a sword or spear(AO) in his hand; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them.

Jonathan Attacks the Philistines

23 Now a detachment of Philistines had gone out to the pass(AP) at Mikmash.(AQ) 14 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.

Saul was staying(AR) on the outskirts of Gibeah(AS) under a pomegranate tree(AT) in Migron.(AU) With him were about six hundred men, among whom was Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was a son of Ichabod’s(AV) brother Ahitub(AW) son of Phinehas, the son of Eli,(AX) the Lord’s priest in Shiloh.(AY) No one was aware that Jonathan had left.

On each side of the pass(AZ) that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez and the other Seneh. One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the other to the south toward Geba.(BA)

Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised(BB) men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing(BC) can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many(BD) or by few.(BE)

“Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us. If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign(BF) that the Lord has given them into our hands.(BG)

11 So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews(BH) are crawling out of the holes they were hiding(BI) in.” 12 The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.(BJ)

So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me; the Lord has given them into the hand(BK) of Israel.”

13 Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him. 14 In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre.

Israel Routs the Philistines

15 Then panic(BL) struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding(BM) parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God.[i]

16 Saul’s lookouts(BN) at Gibeah in Benjamin saw the army melting away in all directions. 17 Then Saul said to the men who were with him, “Muster the forces and see who has left us.” When they did, it was Jonathan and his armor-bearer who were not there.

18 Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring(BO) the ark(BP) of God.” (At that time it was with the Israelites.)[j] 19 While Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the Philistine camp increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest,(BQ) “Withdraw your hand.”

20 Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking(BR) each other with their swords. 21 Those Hebrews who had previously been with the Philistines and had gone up with them to their camp went(BS) over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 When all the Israelites who had hidden(BT) in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were on the run, they joined the battle in hot pursuit. 23 So on that day the Lord saved(BU) Israel, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven.(BV)

Jonathan Eats Honey

24 Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath,(BW) saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the troops tasted food.

25 The entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground. 26 When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out; yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. 27 But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb.(BX) He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.[k] 28 Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, ‘Cursed be anyone who eats food today!’ That is why the men are faint.”

29 Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble(BY) for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?”

31 That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Mikmash(BZ) to Aijalon,(CA) they were exhausted. 32 They pounced on the plunder(CB) and, taking sheep, cattle and calves, they butchered them on the ground and ate them, together with the blood.(CC) 33 Then someone said to Saul, “Look, the men are sinning against the Lord by eating meat that has blood(CD) in it.”

“You have broken faith,” he said. “Roll a large stone over here at once.” 34 Then he said, “Go out among the men and tell them, ‘Each of you bring me your cattle and sheep, and slaughter them here and eat them. Do not sin against the Lord by eating meat with blood still(CE) in it.’”

So everyone brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there. 35 Then Saul built an altar(CF) to the Lord; it was the first time he had done this.

36 Saul said, “Let us go down and pursue the Philistines by night and plunder them till dawn, and let us not leave one of them alive.”

“Do whatever seems best to you,” they replied.

But the priest said, “Let us inquire(CG) of God here.”

37 So Saul asked God, “Shall I go down and pursue the Philistines? Will you give them into Israel’s hand?” But God did not answer(CH) him that day.

38 Saul therefore said, “Come here, all you who are leaders of the army, and let us find out what sin has been committed(CI) today. 39 As surely as the Lord who rescues Israel lives,(CJ) even if the guilt lies with my son Jonathan,(CK) he must die.”(CL) But not one of them said a word.

40 Saul then said to all the Israelites, “You stand over there; I and Jonathan my son will stand over here.”

“Do what seems best to you,” they replied.

41 Then Saul prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel, “Why have you not answered your servant today? If the fault is in me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim, but if the men of Israel are at fault,[l] respond with Thummim.” Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, and the men were cleared. 42 Saul said, “Cast the lot(CM) between me and Jonathan my son.” And Jonathan was taken.

43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.”(CN)

So Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey(CO) with the end of my staff. And now I must die!”

44 Saul said, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely,(CP) if you do not die, Jonathan.(CQ)

45 But the men said to Saul, “Should Jonathan die—he who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Never! As surely as the Lord lives, not a hair(CR) of his head will fall to the ground, for he did this today with God’s help.” So the men rescued(CS) Jonathan, and he was not put to death.

46 Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and they withdrew to their own land.

47 After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab,(CT) the Ammonites,(CU) Edom,(CV) the kings[m] of Zobah,(CW) and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them.[n] 48 He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites,(CX) delivering Israel from the hands of those who had plundered them.

Saul’s Family

49 Saul’s sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malki-Shua.(CY) The name of his older daughter was Merab, and that of the younger was Michal.(CZ) 50 His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of Saul’s army was Abner(DA) son of Ner, and Ner was Saul’s uncle.(DB) 51 Saul’s father Kish(DC) and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.

52 All the days of Saul there was bitter war with the Philistines, and whenever Saul saw a mighty or brave man, he took(DD) him into his service.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 13:1 A few late manuscripts of the Septuagint; Hebrew does not have thirty.
  2. 1 Samuel 13:1 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text (see Acts 13:21); Masoretic Text does not have forty-.
  3. 1 Samuel 13:5 Some Septuagint manuscripts and Syriac; Hebrew thirty thousand
  4. 1 Samuel 13:15 Hebrew; Septuagint Gilgal and went his way; the rest of the people went after Saul to meet the army, and they went out of Gilgal
  5. 1 Samuel 13:16 Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts Geba, a variant of Gibeah
  6. 1 Samuel 13:20 Septuagint; Hebrew plow points
  7. 1 Samuel 13:21 That is, about 1/4 ounce or about 8 grams
  8. 1 Samuel 13:21 That is, about 1/8 ounce or about 4 grams
  9. 1 Samuel 14:15 Or a terrible panic
  10. 1 Samuel 14:18 Hebrew; Septuagint “Bring the ephod.” (At that time he wore the ephod before the Israelites.)
  11. 1 Samuel 14:27 Or his strength was renewed; similarly in verse 29
  12. 1 Samuel 14:41 Septuagint; Hebrew does not have “Why … at fault.
  13. 1 Samuel 14:47 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint king
  14. 1 Samuel 14:47 Hebrew; Septuagint he was victorious

Israel’s Sons(A)

These were the sons of Israel:

Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad and Asher.

Judah(B)

To Hezron’s Sons

The sons of Judah:(C)

Er, Onan and Shelah.(D) These three were born to him by a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua.(E) Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the Lord’s sight; so the Lord put him to death.(F) Judah’s daughter-in-law(G) Tamar(H) bore Perez(I) and Zerah to Judah. He had five sons in all.

The sons of Perez:(J)

Hezron(K) and Hamul.

The sons of Zerah:

Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Kalkol and Darda[a]—five in all.

The son of Karmi:

Achar,[b](L) who brought trouble on Israel by violating the ban on taking devoted things.[c](M)

The son of Ethan:

Azariah.

The sons born to Hezron(N) were:

Jerahmeel, Ram and Caleb.[d]

From Ram Son of Hezron

10 Ram(O) was the father of

Amminadab(P), and Amminadab the father of Nahshon,(Q) the leader of the people of Judah. 11 Nahshon was the father of Salmon,[e] Salmon the father of Boaz, 12 Boaz(R) the father of Obed and Obed the father of Jesse.(S)

13 Jesse(T) was the father of

Eliab(U) his firstborn; the second son was Abinadab, the third Shimea, 14 the fourth Nethanel, the fifth Raddai, 15 the sixth Ozem and the seventh David. 16 Their sisters were Zeruiah(V) and Abigail. Zeruiah’s(W) three sons were Abishai, Joab(X) and Asahel. 17 Abigail was the mother of Amasa,(Y) whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite.

Caleb Son of Hezron

18 Caleb son of Hezron had children by his wife Azubah (and by Jerioth). These were her sons: Jesher, Shobab and Ardon. 19 When Azubah died, Caleb(Z) married Ephrath, who bore him Hur. 20 Hur was the father of Uri, and Uri the father of Bezalel.(AA)

21 Later, Hezron, when he was sixty years old, married the daughter of Makir the father of Gilead.(AB) He made love to her, and she bore him Segub. 22 Segub was the father of Jair, who controlled twenty-three towns in Gilead. 23 (But Geshur and Aram captured Havvoth Jair,[f](AC) as well as Kenath(AD) with its surrounding settlements—sixty towns.) All these were descendants of Makir the father of Gilead.

24 After Hezron died in Caleb Ephrathah, Abijah the wife of Hezron bore him Ashhur(AE) the father[g] of Tekoa.

Jerahmeel Son of Hezron

25 The sons of Jerahmeel the firstborn of Hezron:

Ram his firstborn, Bunah, Oren, Ozem and[h] Ahijah. 26 Jerahmeel had another wife, whose name was Atarah; she was the mother of Onam.

27 The sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel:

Maaz, Jamin and Eker.

28 The sons of Onam:

Shammai and Jada.

The sons of Shammai:

Nadab and Abishur.

29 Abishur’s wife was named Abihail, who bore him Ahban and Molid.

30 The sons of Nadab:

Seled and Appaim. Seled died without children.

31 The son of Appaim:

Ishi, who was the father of Sheshan.

Sheshan was the father of Ahlai.

32 The sons of Jada, Shammai’s brother:

Jether and Jonathan. Jether died without children.

33 The sons of Jonathan:

Peleth and Zaza.

These were the descendants of Jerahmeel.

34 Sheshan had no sons—only daughters.

He had an Egyptian servant named Jarha. 35 Sheshan gave his daughter in marriage to his servant Jarha, and she bore him Attai.

36 Attai was the father of Nathan,

Nathan the father of Zabad,(AF)

37 Zabad the father of Ephlal,

Ephlal the father of Obed,

38 Obed the father of Jehu,

Jehu the father of Azariah,

39 Azariah the father of Helez,

Helez the father of Eleasah,

40 Eleasah the father of Sismai,

Sismai the father of Shallum,

41 Shallum the father of Jekamiah,

and Jekamiah the father of Elishama.

The Clans of Caleb

42 The sons of Caleb(AG) the brother of Jerahmeel:

Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph, and his son Mareshah,[i] who was the father of Hebron.

43 The sons of Hebron:

Korah, Tappuah, Rekem and Shema. 44 Shema was the father of Raham, and Raham the father of Jorkeam. Rekem was the father of Shammai. 45 The son of Shammai was Maon(AH), and Maon was the father of Beth Zur.(AI)

46 Caleb’s concubine Ephah was the mother of Haran, Moza and Gazez. Haran was the father of Gazez.

47 The sons of Jahdai:

Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah and Shaaph.

48 Caleb’s concubine Maakah was the mother of Sheber and Tirhanah. 49 She also gave birth to Shaaph the father of Madmannah(AJ) and to Sheva the father of Makbenah and Gibea. Caleb’s daughter was Aksah.(AK) 50 These were the descendants of Caleb.

The sons of Hur(AL) the firstborn of Ephrathah:

Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim,(AM) 51 Salma the father of Bethlehem, and Hareph the father of Beth Gader.

52 The descendants of Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim were:

Haroeh, half the Manahathites, 53 and the clans of Kiriath Jearim: the Ithrites,(AN) Puthites, Shumathites and Mishraites. From these descended the Zorathites and Eshtaolites.

54 The descendants of Salma:

Bethlehem, the Netophathites,(AO) Atroth Beth Joab, half the Manahathites, the Zorites, 55 and the clans of scribes[j] who lived at Jabez: the Tirathites, Shimeathites and Sucathites. These are the Kenites(AP) who came from Hammath,(AQ) the father of the Rekabites.[k](AR)

The Sons of David(AS)(AT)

These were the sons of David(AU) born to him in Hebron:

The firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam(AV) of Jezreel;(AW)

the second, Daniel the son of Abigail(AX) of Carmel;

the third, Absalom the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

the fourth, Adonijah(AY) the son of Haggith;

the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

and the sixth, Ithream, by his wife Eglah.

These six were born to David in Hebron,(AZ) where he reigned seven years and six months.(BA)

David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years, and these were the children born to him there:

Shammua,[l] Shobab, Nathan and Solomon. These four were by Bathsheba[m](BB) daughter of Ammiel. There were also Ibhar, Elishua,[n] Eliphelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet—nine in all. All these were the sons of David, besides his sons by his concubines. And Tamar(BC) was their sister.(BD)

The Kings of Judah

10 Solomon’s son was Rehoboam,(BE)

Abijah(BF) his son,

Asa(BG) his son,

Jehoshaphat(BH) his son,

11 Jehoram[o](BI) his son,

Ahaziah(BJ) his son,

Joash(BK) his son,

12 Amaziah(BL) his son,

Azariah(BM) his son,

Jotham(BN) his son,

13 Ahaz(BO) his son,

Hezekiah(BP) his son,

Manasseh(BQ) his son,

14 Amon(BR) his son,

Josiah(BS) his son.

15 The sons of Josiah:

Johanan the firstborn,

Jehoiakim(BT) the second son,

Zedekiah(BU) the third,

Shallum(BV) the fourth.

16 The successors of Jehoiakim:

Jehoiachin[p](BW) his son,

and Zedekiah.(BX)

The Royal Line After the Exile

17 The descendants of Jehoiachin the captive:

Shealtiel(BY) his son, 18 Malkiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar,(BZ) Jekamiah, Hoshama and Nedabiah.(CA)

19 The sons of Pedaiah:

Zerubbabel(CB) and Shimei.

The sons of Zerubbabel:

Meshullam and Hananiah.

Shelomith was their sister.

20 There were also five others:

Hashubah, Ohel, Berekiah, Hasadiah and Jushab-Hesed.

21 The descendants of Hananiah:

Pelatiah and Jeshaiah, and the sons of Rephaiah, of Arnan, of Obadiah and of Shekaniah.

22 The descendants of Shekaniah:

Shemaiah and his sons:

Hattush,(CC) Igal, Bariah, Neariah and Shaphat—six in all.

23 The sons of Neariah:

Elioenai, Hizkiah and Azrikam—three in all.

24 The sons of Elioenai:

Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah and Anani—seven in all.

Other Clans of Judah

The descendants of Judah:(CD)

Perez, Hezron,(CE) Karmi, Hur and Shobal.

Reaiah son of Shobal was the father of Jahath, and Jahath the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the Zorathites.

These were the sons[q] of Etam:

Jezreel, Ishma and Idbash. Their sister was named Hazzelelponi. Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah.

These were the descendants of Hur,(CF) the firstborn of Ephrathah and father[r] of Bethlehem.(CG)

Ashhur(CH) the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.

Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni and Haahashtari. These were the descendants of Naarah.

The sons of Helah:

Zereth, Zohar, Ethnan, and Koz, who was the father of Anub and Hazzobebah and of the clans of Aharhel son of Harum.

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez,[s] saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

11 Kelub, Shuhah’s brother, was the father of Mehir, who was the father of Eshton. 12 Eshton was the father of Beth Rapha, Paseah and Tehinnah the father of Ir Nahash.[t] These were the men of Rekah.

13 The sons of Kenaz:

Othniel(CI) and Seraiah.

The sons of Othniel:

Hathath and Meonothai.[u] 14 Meonothai was the father of Ophrah.

Seraiah was the father of Joab,

the father of Ge Harashim.[v] It was called this because its people were skilled workers.

15 The sons of Caleb son of Jephunneh:

Iru, Elah and Naam.

The son of Elah:

Kenaz.

16 The sons of Jehallelel:

Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria and Asarel.

17 The sons of Ezrah:

Jether, Mered, Epher and Jalon. One of Mered’s wives gave birth to Miriam,(CJ) Shammai and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa. 18 (His wife from the tribe of Judah gave birth to Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Soko, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah.(CK)) These were the children of Pharaoh’s daughter Bithiah, whom Mered had married.

19 The sons of Hodiah’s wife, the sister of Naham:

the father of Keilah(CL) the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maakathite.(CM)

20 The sons of Shimon:

Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-Hanan and Tilon.

The descendants of Ishi:

Zoheth and Ben-Zoheth.

21 The sons of Shelah(CN) son of Judah:

Er the father of Lekah, Laadah the father of Mareshah and the clans of the linen workers at Beth Ashbea, 22 Jokim, the men of Kozeba, and Joash and Saraph, who ruled in Moab and Jashubi Lehem. (These records are from ancient times.) 23 They were the potters who lived at Netaim and Gederah; they stayed there and worked for the king.

Simeon(CO)

24 The descendants of Simeon:(CP)

Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib,(CQ) Zerah and Shaul;

25 Shallum was Shaul’s son, Mibsam his son and Mishma his son.

26 The descendants of Mishma:

Hammuel his son, Zakkur his son and Shimei his son.

27 Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters, but his brothers did not have many children; so their entire clan did not become as numerous as the people of Judah. 28 They lived in Beersheba,(CR) Moladah,(CS) Hazar Shual, 29 Bilhah, Ezem,(CT) Tolad, 30 Bethuel, Hormah,(CU) Ziklag,(CV) 31 Beth Markaboth, Hazar Susim, Beth Biri and Shaaraim.(CW) These were their towns until the reign of David. 32 Their surrounding villages were Etam, Ain,(CX) Rimmon, Token and Ashan(CY)—five towns— 33 and all the villages around these towns as far as Baalath.[w] These were their settlements. And they kept a genealogical record.

34 Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah son of Amaziah, 35 Joel, Jehu son of Joshibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel, 36 also Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah, 37 and Ziza son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah.

38 The men listed above by name were leaders of their clans. Their families increased greatly, 39 and they went to the outskirts of Gedor(CZ) to the east of the valley in search of pasture for their flocks. 40 They found rich, good pasture, and the land was spacious, peaceful and quiet.(DA) Some Hamites had lived there formerly.

41 The men whose names were listed came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. They attacked the Hamites in their dwellings and also the Meunites(DB) who were there and completely destroyed[x] them, as is evident to this day. Then they settled in their place, because there was pasture for their flocks. 42 And five hundred of these Simeonites, led by Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi, invaded the hill country of Seir.(DC) 43 They killed the remaining Amalekites(DD) who had escaped, and they have lived there to this day.

Reuben

The sons of Reuben(DE) the firstborn of Israel (he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father’s marriage bed,(DF) his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph(DG) son of Israel;(DH) so he could not be listed in the genealogical record in accordance with his birthright,(DI) and though Judah(DJ) was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler(DK) came from him, the rights of the firstborn(DL) belonged to Joseph)— the sons of Reuben(DM) the firstborn of Israel:

Hanok, Pallu,(DN) Hezron(DO) and Karmi.

The descendants of Joel:

Shemaiah his son, Gog his son,

Shimei his son, Micah his son,

Reaiah his son, Baal his son,

and Beerah his son, whom Tiglath-Pileser[y](DP) king of Assyria took into exile. Beerah was a leader of the Reubenites.

Their relatives by clans,(DQ) listed according to their genealogical records:

Jeiel the chief, Zechariah, and Bela son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel. They settled in the area from Aroer(DR) to Nebo(DS) and Baal Meon.(DT) To the east they occupied the land up to the edge of the desert that extends to the Euphrates(DU) River, because their livestock had increased in Gilead.(DV)

10 During Saul’s reign they waged war against the Hagrites(DW), who were defeated at their hands; they occupied the dwellings of the Hagrites throughout the entire region east of Gilead.

Gad

11 The Gadites(DX) lived next to them in Bashan, as far as Salekah:(DY)

12 Joel was the chief, Shapham the second, then Janai and Shaphat, in Bashan.

13 Their relatives, by families, were:

Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jakan, Zia and Eber—seven in all.

14 These were the sons of Abihail son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz.

15 Ahi son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, was head of their family.

16 The Gadites lived in Gilead, in Bashan and its outlying villages, and on all the pasturelands of Sharon as far as they extended.

17 All these were entered in the genealogical records during the reigns of Jotham(DZ) king of Judah and Jeroboam(EA) king of Israel.

18 The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 men ready for military service(EB)—able-bodied men who could handle shield and sword, who could use a bow, and who were trained for battle. 19 They waged war against the Hagrites, Jetur,(EC) Naphish and Nodab. 20 They were helped(ED) in fighting them, and God delivered the Hagrites and all their allies into their hands, because they cried(EE) out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted(EF) in him. 21 They seized the livestock of the Hagrites—fifty thousand camels, two hundred fifty thousand sheep and two thousand donkeys. They also took one hundred thousand people captive, 22 and many others fell slain, because the battle(EG) was God’s. And they occupied the land until the exile.(EH)

The Half-Tribe of Manasseh

23 The people of the half-tribe of Manasseh(EI) were numerous; they settled in the land from Bashan to Baal Hermon, that is, to Senir (Mount Hermon).(EJ)

24 These were the heads of their families: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah and Jahdiel. They were brave warriors, famous men, and heads of their families. 25 But they were unfaithful(EK) to the God of their ancestors and prostituted(EL) themselves to the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them. 26 So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit(EM) of Pul(EN) king of Assyria (that is, Tiglath-Pileser(EO) king of Assyria), who took the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh into exile. He took them to Halah,(EP) Habor, Hara and the river of Gozan, where they are to this day.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 2:6 Many Hebrew manuscripts, some Septuagint manuscripts and Syriac (see also 1 Kings 4:31); most Hebrew manuscripts Dara
  2. 1 Chronicles 2:7 Achar means trouble; Achar is called Achan in Joshua.
  3. 1 Chronicles 2:7 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them.
  4. 1 Chronicles 2:9 Hebrew Kelubai, a variant of Caleb
  5. 1 Chronicles 2:11 Septuagint (see also Ruth 4:21); Hebrew Salma
  6. 1 Chronicles 2:23 Or captured the settlements of Jair
  7. 1 Chronicles 2:24 Father may mean civic leader or military leader; also in verses 42, 45, 49-52 and possibly elsewhere.
  8. 1 Chronicles 2:25 Or Oren and Ozem, by
  9. 1 Chronicles 2:42 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
  10. 1 Chronicles 2:55 Or of the Sopherites
  11. 1 Chronicles 2:55 Or father of Beth Rekab
  12. 1 Chronicles 3:5 Hebrew Shimea, a variant of Shammua
  13. 1 Chronicles 3:5 One Hebrew manuscript and Vulgate (see also Septuagint and 2 Samuel 11:3); most Hebrew manuscripts Bathshua
  14. 1 Chronicles 3:6 Two Hebrew manuscripts (see also 2 Samuel 5:15 and 1 Chron. 14:5); most Hebrew manuscripts Elishama
  15. 1 Chronicles 3:11 Hebrew Joram, a variant of Jehoram
  16. 1 Chronicles 3:16 Hebrew Jeconiah, a variant of Jehoiachin; also in verse 17
  17. 1 Chronicles 4:3 Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also Vulgate); Hebrew father
  18. 1 Chronicles 4:4 Father may mean civic leader or military leader; also in verses 12, 14, 17, 18 and possibly elsewhere.
  19. 1 Chronicles 4:9 Jabez sounds like the Hebrew for pain.
  20. 1 Chronicles 4:12 Or of the city of Nahash
  21. 1 Chronicles 4:13 Some Septuagint manuscripts and Vulgate; Hebrew does not have and Meonothai.
  22. 1 Chronicles 4:14 Ge Harashim means valley of skilled workers.
  23. 1 Chronicles 4:33 Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also Joshua 19:8); Hebrew Baal
  24. 1 Chronicles 4:41 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them.
  25. 1 Chronicles 5:6 Hebrew Tilgath-Pilneser, a variant of Tiglath-Pileser; also in verse 26

Paul’s Vision and His Thorn

12 I must go on boasting.(A) Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations(B) from the Lord. I know a man in Christ(C) who fourteen years ago was caught up(D) to the third heaven.(E) Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.(F) And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up(G) to paradise(H) and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.(I) Even if I should choose to boast,(J) I would not be a fool,(K) because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations.(L) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,(M) a messenger of Satan,(N) to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.(O) But he said to me, “My grace(P) is sufficient for you, for my power(Q) is made perfect in weakness.(R)(S) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight(T) in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,(U) in persecutions,(V) in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.(W)

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

11 I have made a fool of myself,(X) but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,”[a](Y) even though I am nothing.(Z) 12 I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.(AA) 13 How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you?(AB) Forgive me this wrong!(AC)

14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time,(AD) and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents,(AE) but parents for their children.(AF) 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well.(AG) If I love you more,(AH) will you love me less? 16 Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you.(AI) Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! 17 Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you? 18 I urged(AJ) Titus(AK) to go to you and I sent our brother(AL) with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?

19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God(AM) as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends,(AN) is for your strengthening.(AO) 20 For I am afraid that when I come(AP) I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be.(AQ) I fear that there may be discord,(AR) jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition,(AS) slander,(AT) gossip,(AU) arrogance(AV) and disorder.(AW) 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved(AX) over many who have sinned earlier(AY) and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery(AZ) in which they have indulged.

Final Warnings

13 This will be my third visit to you.(BA) “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”[b](BB) I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent:(BC) On my return I will not spare(BD) those who sinned earlier(BE) or any of the others, since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me.(BF) He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness,(BG) yet he lives by God’s power.(BH) Likewise, we are weak(BI) in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him(BJ) in our dealing with you.

Examine yourselves(BK) to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.(BL) Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you(BM)—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:11 Or the most eminent apostles
  2. 2 Corinthians 13:1 Deut. 19:15

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