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1 Samuel 14
New English Translation

14 Then one day Jonathan son of Saul said to his armor-bearer,[a] “Come on, let’s go over to the Philistine garrison that is opposite us.” But he did not let his father know.

2 Now Saul was sitting under a pomegranate tree in Migron, on the outskirts of Gibeah. The army that was with him numbered about 600 men. 3 Now Ahijah was carrying[b] an ephod. He was the son of Ahitub, who was the brother of Ichabod and a son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the Lord in Shiloh. The army was unaware that Jonathan had left.

4 Now there was a steep cliff on each side of the pass through which Jonathan intended to go to reach the Philistine garrison. One cliff was named Bozez, the other Seneh. 5 The cliff to the north was closer to Micmash, the one to the south closer to Geba.

6 Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will intervene[c] for us. Nothing can prevent the Lord from delivering, whether by many or by a few.” 7 His armor-bearer said to him, “Do everything that is on your mind.[d] Do as you’re inclined. I’m with you all the way!”[e]

8 Jonathan replied, “All right.[f] We’ll go over to these men and fight them. 9 If they say to us, ‘Stay put until we approach you,’ we will stay[g] right there and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come up against us,’ we will go up. For in that case the Lord has given them into our hand—it will be a sign to us.”

11 When they[h] made themselves known to the Philistine garrison, the Philistines said, “Look! The Hebrews are coming out of the holes in which they hid themselves.” 12 Then the men of the garrison said to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come on up to us so we can teach you a thing or two!”[i] Then Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Come up behind me, for the Lord has given[j] them into the hand of Israel!”

13 Jonathan crawled up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer following behind him. Jonathan struck down the Philistines,[k] while his armor-bearer came along behind him and killed them.[l] 14 In this initial skirmish Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in an area that measured half an acre.

15 Then fear overwhelmed[m] those who were in the camp, those who were in the field, all the army in the garrison, and the raiding bands. They trembled and the ground shook. This fear was caused by God.[n]

16 Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin[o] looked on[p] as the crowd of soldiers seemed to melt away first in one direction and then in another.[q] 17 So Saul said to the army that was with him, “Muster the troops and see who is no longer with us.” When they mustered the troops,[r] Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. 18 So Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring near the ephod,”[s] for he was at that time wearing the ephod in front of the Israelites.[t] 19 While[u] Saul spoke to the priest, the panic in the Philistines’ camp was becoming greater and greater. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”

20 Saul and all the army assembled and marched into battle, where they found[v] the Philistines in total panic killing one another with their swords.[w] 21 The Hebrews who had earlier gone over to the Philistine side[x] joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 When all the Israelites who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines had fled, they too pursued them in battle. 23 So the Lord delivered Israel that day, and the battle shifted over to Beth Aven.[y]

Jonathan Violates Saul’s Oath

24 Now the men of Israel were hard pressed that day, for Saul had made the army agree to this oath: “Cursed be the man who eats food before evening. I will get my vengeance on my enemies!” So no one in the army ate anything.

25 Now the whole army[z] entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground.[aa] 26 When the army entered the forest, they saw[ab] the honey flowing, but no one ate any of it,[ac] for the army was afraid of the oath. 27 But Jonathan had not heard about the oath his father had made the army take. He extended the end of his staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb. When he ate it,[ad] his eyes gleamed.[ae] 28 Then someone from the army informed him, “Your father put the army under a strict oath[af] saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food today.’ That is why the army is tired.” 29 Then Jonathan said, “My father has caused trouble for the land. See how my eyes gleamed[ag] when I tasted just a little of this honey. 30 Certainly if the army had eaten some of the enemies’ provisions that they came across today, would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?”

31 On that day the army struck down the Philistines from Micmash to Aijalon, and they became very tired. 32 So the army rushed greedily on[ah] the[ai] plunder, confiscating sheep, cattle, and calves. They slaughtered them right on the ground, and the army ate them, blood and all.

33 Now it was reported to Saul, “Look, the army is sinning against the Lord by eating even the blood.” He said, “All of you have broken the covenant![aj] Roll a large stone over here[ak] to me.” 34 Then Saul said, “Scatter out among the army and say to them, ‘Each of you bring to me your ox and sheep and slaughter them in this spot and eat. But don’t sin against the Lord by eating the blood.” So that night each one brought his ox and slaughtered it there.[al] 35 Then Saul built an altar for the Lord; it was the first time he had built an altar for the Lord.

36 Saul said, “Let’s go down after the Philistines at night; we will rout[am] them until the break of day.[an] We won’t leave any of them alive!”[ao] They replied, “Do whatever seems best to you.”[ap] But the priest said, “Let’s approach God here.” 37 So Saul asked God, “Should I go down after the Philistines? Will you deliver them into the hand of Israel?” But he did not answer him that day.

38 Then Saul said, “All you leaders of the army come here. Find out[aq] how this sin occurred today. 39 For as surely as the Lord, the deliverer of Israel, lives, even if it turns out to be my own son Jonathan, he will certainly die!” But no one from the army said anything.[ar]

40 Then he said to all Israel, “You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side.” The army replied to Saul, “Do whatever you think is best.”

41 Then Saul said, “O Lord God of Israel! If this sin has been committed by me or by my son Jonathan, then, O Lord God of Israel, respond with Urim. But if this sin has been committed by your people Israel, respond with Thummim.”[as] Then Jonathan and Saul were indicated by lot, while the army was exonerated.[at] 42 Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan!”[au] Jonathan was indicated by lot.

43 So Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” Jonathan told him, “I used the end of the staff that was in my hand to taste a little honey. I must die!”[av] 44 Saul said, “God will punish me severely if Jonathan doesn’t die!”[aw]

45 But the army said to Saul, “Should Jonathan, who won this great victory in Israel, die? May it never be! As surely as the Lord lives, not a single hair of his head will fall to the ground, for it is with the help of God that he has acted today.” So the army rescued Jonathan from death.[ax]

46 Then Saul stopped chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines went back home.[ay] 47 After Saul had secured his royal position over Israel, he fought against all their[az] enemies on all sides—the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. In every direction that he turned, he was victorious.[ba] 48 He fought bravely, striking down the Amalekites and delivering Israel from the hand of its enemies.[bb]

Members of Saul’s Family

49 The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malki-Shua.[bc] He had two daughters; the older one was named Merab and the younger Michal. 50 The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the general in command of his army was Abner son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.[bd] 51 Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son[be] of Abiel.

52 There was fierce war with the Philistines all the days of Saul. So whenever Saul saw anyone who was a warrior or a brave individual, he would conscript him.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 14:1 tn Or “the servant who was carrying his military equipment” (likewise in vv. 6, 7, 12, 13, 14).
  2. 1 Samuel 14:3 tn Heb “bearing.” Many English versions understand this verb to mean “wearing” (cf. KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NLT). The ephod could be used for consulting the Lord’s will (1 Sam 23:9-10; 30:7-8) and is not always worn (1 Sam 23:6). The significance in this context is probably not that Ahijah was dressed for sacrificial duties or to appear before God at the tabernacle, but rather that the ephod was available for consulting God, given the people’s ignorance about Jonathan’s activities. (Cf. the note at 1 Sam 2:28.)
  3. 1 Samuel 14:6 tn Heb “act.”
  4. 1 Samuel 14:7 tn Heb “in your heart.”
  5. 1 Samuel 14:7 tn Heb “Look, I am with you, according to your heart.” See the note at 13:14.
  6. 1 Samuel 14:8 tn Heb “Look!”
  7. 1 Samuel 14:9 tn Heb “stand.”
  8. 1 Samuel 14:11 tn Heb “the two of them.”
  9. 1 Samuel 14:12 tn Heb “a thing.”
  10. 1 Samuel 14:12 tn The perfect verbal form is used rhetorically here to express Jonathan’s certitude. As far as he is concerned, the victory is as good as won and can be described as such.
  11. 1 Samuel 14:13 tn Heb “and they fell before Jonathan.”
  12. 1 Samuel 14:13 tn Heb “and the one carrying his equipment was killing after him.”
  13. 1 Samuel 14:15 tn Heb “fell upon.”
  14. 1 Samuel 14:15 tn Heb “and it was by the fear of God.” The translation understands this to mean that God was the source or cause of the fear experienced by the Philistines. This seems to be the most straightforward reading of the sentence. It is possible, however, that the word “God” functions here simply to intensify the accompanying word “fear,” in which one might translate “a very great fear” (cf. NAB, NRSV). It is clear that on some occasions that the divine name carries such a superlative nuance. For examples see Joüon 2:525 §141.n.
  15. 1 Samuel 14:16 tn Heb “at Gibeah of Benjamin.” The words “in the territory” are supplied in the translation for clarity.
  16. 1 Samuel 14:16 tn Heb “saw, and look!”
  17. 1 Samuel 14:16 tn Heb “the crowd melted and went, even here.”
  18. 1 Samuel 14:17 tn Heb “and they mustered the troops, and look!”
  19. 1 Samuel 14:18 tc Heb “the ark of God.” It seems unlikely that Saul would call for the ark, which was several miles away in Kiriath Jearim (see 1 Sam 7:2). The LXX and an Old Latin ms have “ephod” here, a reading which harmonizes better with v. 3 and fits better with the verb “bring near” (see 1 Sam 23:9; 30:7) and with the expression “withdraw your hand” in v. 19. There are also quotations of this reading in rabbinic literature and medieval Jewish literature according to V. Aptowitzer, The Scripture in the Rabbinic Literature and Medieval Jewish Literature, Prolegomena (3 parts, Vindobonae, 1906, 1908, 1911). It is followed in the present translation (cf. NAB, NJB, GWN, TEV, NLT, CEB, BBE).
  20. 1 Samuel 14:18 tc Heb “for the ark of God was in that day, and the sons of Israel.” The translation follows the text of some Greek manuscripts. See the previous note.
  21. 1 Samuel 14:19 tn Or perhaps “until.”
  22. 1 Samuel 14:20 tn Heb “and look, there was.”
  23. 1 Samuel 14:20 tn Heb “the sword of a man against his companion, a very great panic.”
  24. 1 Samuel 14:21 tn Heb “and the Hebrews were to the Philistines formerly, who went up with them in the camp all around.”
  25. 1 Samuel 14:23 tc The LXX includes the following words: “And all the people were with Saul, about ten thousand men. And the battle extended to the entire city on mount Ephraim.”
  26. 1 Samuel 14:25 tn Heb “all the land.”
  27. 1 Samuel 14:25 tn Heb “the surface of the field.”
  28. 1 Samuel 14:26 tn Heb “and the army entered the forest, and look!”
  29. 1 Samuel 14:26 tn Heb “and there was no one putting his hand to his mouth.”
  30. 1 Samuel 14:27 tn Heb “and he returned his hand to his mouth.”
  31. 1 Samuel 14:27 tc The translation follows the Qere and several medieval Hebrew mss in reading “gleamed,” rather than the Kethib, “saw.”
  32. 1 Samuel 14:28 tn Heb “your father surely put the army under an oath.” The infinitive absolute is used before the finite verb to emphasize the solemn nature of the oath.
  33. 1 Samuel 14:29 tc The LXX reads “saw.” See v. 27.
  34. 1 Samuel 14:32 tc The translation follows the Qere and many medieval Hebrew mss in reading “and they rushed greedily upon,” rather than the Kethib, “and they did.”
  35. 1 Samuel 14:32 tc The translation reads with the Qere and many medieval Hebrew mss הַשָּׁלָל (hashalal, “the spoil”) rather than following the Kethib reading, שָׁלָל (shalal, “spoil”).
  36. 1 Samuel 14:33 tn Heb “You have acted deceptively.” In this context the verb refers to violating an agreement, in this case the dietary and sacrificial regulations of the Mosaic law. The verb form is second masculine plural; apparently Saul here addresses those who are eating the animals.
  37. 1 Samuel 14:33 tc The translation follows the LXX reading ἐνταῦθα (entautha, “here”) for הֲלֹם (halom, “here”) rather than the MT’s הַיּוֹם (hayyom, “today”).
  38. 1 Samuel 14:34 tn Heb “and all the army brought near, each his ox by his hand, and they slaughtered there.”
  39. 1 Samuel 14:36 tn Heb “plunder.”
  40. 1 Samuel 14:36 tn Heb “until the light of the morning.”
  41. 1 Samuel 14:36 tn Heb “and there will not be left among them a man.”
  42. 1 Samuel 14:36 tn Heb “all that is good in your eyes.” So also in v. 40.
  43. 1 Samuel 14:38 tn Heb “know and see.”
  44. 1 Samuel 14:39 tn Heb “and there was no one answering from all the army.”
  45. 1 Samuel 14:41 tc Heb “to the Lord God of Israel: ‘Give what is perfect.’” The Hebrew textual tradition has accidentally omitted several words here. The present translation follows the LXX (as do several English versions, cf. NAB, NRSV, TEV). See P. K. McCarter, I Samuel (AB), 247-48, and R. W. Klein, 1 Samuel (WBC), 132.sn The Urim and Thummim were used for lot casting in ancient Israel. Their exact identity is uncertain; they may have been specially marked stones drawn from a bag. See Exod 28:30; Lev 8:8, and Deut 33:8, as well as the discussion in R. W. Klein, 1 Samuel (WBC), 140.
  46. 1 Samuel 14:41 tn Heb “went out.”
  47. 1 Samuel 14:42 tc The LXX includes the following words: “Whomever the Lord will indicate by the lot, let him die! And the people said to Saul, ‘It is not this word.’ But Saul prevailed over the people, and they cast lots between him and between Jonathan his son.”
  48. 1 Samuel 14:43 tn Heb “Look, I, I will die.” Apparently Jonathan is acquiescing to his anticipated fate of death. However, the words may be taken as sarcastic (“Here I am about to die!”) or as a question, “Must I now die?” (cf. NAB, NIV, NCV, NLT).
  49. 1 Samuel 14:44 tn Heb “So God will do and so he will add, surely you will certainly die, Jonathan.”
  50. 1 Samuel 14:45 tn Heb “and he did not die.”
  51. 1 Samuel 14:46 tn Heb “to their place.”
  52. 1 Samuel 14:47 tn Heb “his,” which could refer to Israel or to Saul.
  53. 1 Samuel 14:47 tc The translation follows the LXX (“he was delivered”), rather than the MT, which reads, “he acted wickedly.”
  54. 1 Samuel 14:48 tn Heb “plunderers.”
  55. 1 Samuel 14:49 sn The list differs from others. In 1 Sam 31:2 (= 1 Chr 10:2), Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua are listed as Saul’s sons, while 1 Chr 8:33 and 9:39 list Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
  56. 1 Samuel 14:50 sn The word “uncle” can modify either Abner or Ner. See the note on the word “son” in v. 51 for further discussion.
  57. 1 Samuel 14:51 tn 1 Chr 9:35-36 indicates that Jeiel (= Abiel?) had two sons (among others) named Ner and Kish (see also 1 Sam 9:1 and 1 Chr 8:30, where some Greek manuscripts include the name Ner, though it is absent in the Hebrew text). If this Kish was the father of Saul and Ner was the father of Abner, then Saul and Abner were cousins. However, according to 1 Chr 8:33 and 9:39, Ner, not Abiel, was the father of Kish. In this case, Kish and Abner were brothers and Abner was Saul’s uncle. The simplest solution to the problem is to see two men named Kish in the genealogy: Abiel (Jeiel) was the father of Ner and Kish I. Ner was the father of Abner and Kish II. Kish II was the father of Saul. The Kish mentioned in 1 Sam 9:1 was the father of Saul (v. 2) and must be identified as Kish II. In this case the genealogy is “gapped,” with Ner being omitted. Abiel was the grandfather of Kish II.
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撒母耳记上 14
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)

约拿单攻打非利士人

14 一天，扫罗的儿子约拿单对为他拿兵器的年轻人说：“来吧，我们去非利士的驻军那里。”但他没有告诉父亲。 2 那时扫罗正待在基比亚边界米矶仑的石榴树下，跟随他的大约有六百人， 3 其中有穿着以弗得的祭司亚希亚，即亚希突的儿子。亚希突是示罗耶和华祭司以利的孙子，非尼哈的儿子，以迦博的哥哥。没有人留意到约拿单出去了。 4 约拿单到非利士驻军那里需要经过一个隘口，隘口两边的山峰一个叫播薛，一个叫西尼， 5 北面的山峰面对密抹，南面的山峰面对迦巴。

6 约拿单对拿兵器的年轻人说：“我们去那些未受割礼之人的军营，也许耶和华会帮助我们。祂使人得胜不在乎人数多少。” 7 拿兵器的人答道：“就照你的意思，我会一心追随你。” 8 约拿单说：“我们去他们那边，故意让他们发现。 9 如果他们说，‘站住，等我们去你们那里！’我们就待在原地，不去他们那里。 10 但如果他们说，‘你们来我们这里！’我们就去，因为那表示耶和华已经把他们交在我们手里了。” 11 非利士的驻军看见二人走近，就说：“看！希伯来人从洞里爬出来了！” 12 驻军对约拿单和拿兵器的人大喊：“上来，我们要教训教训你们。”约拿单就对拿兵器的人说：“跟着我爬上去，耶和华已经把他们交在以色列人手里了。” 13 于是，约拿单就爬上去击杀非利士人，拿兵器的人紧随其后。 14 他们首次出击，杀了约二十个非利士人，尸首倒在半亩大小的地上。 15 营房、田野的所有非利士人，包括驻军和那些突击队都非常恐慌。大地震动，众人恐惧万分。

16 扫罗在便雅悯境内基比亚的哨兵看见非利士军队四散奔逃，溃不成军。 17 扫罗对跟随他的人说：“你们查一查，看谁离开了军营？”结果发现约拿单和为他拿兵器的人不见了。 18 扫罗对亚希亚说：“把上帝的约柜抬来。”那时上帝的约柜在以色列人那里。 19 扫罗和祭司说话的时候，非利士人营里越来越混乱。扫罗对祭司说：“停手吧。” 20 他和跟随他的人聚集起来，冲入战场，发现非利士人正互相残杀，乱作一团。 21 从前加入非利士军队的希伯来人现在也倒戈加入扫罗和约拿单的以色列军队。 22 那些躲在以法莲山区的以色列人听说非利士人溃逃，都出来紧紧地追杀他们。 23 耶和华在那天使以色列人大获全胜，战事一直蔓延到伯·亚文。

约拿单误违父命

24 那一天，以色列人很困乏，因为扫罗叫他们起誓：“谁在黄昏前，就是在向敌人报完仇以前吃任何东西，谁就要受咒诅。”于是，以色列人整天都没有进食。 25 众人进入树林，见地上有蜂蜜。 26 他们在树林中虽然看见有蜂蜜正在滴落，但没有人敢伸手取蜂蜜吃，因为他们都怕违背誓言。 27 约拿单没有听见他父亲叫以色列人起誓，他伸出手中的杖蘸蜂房的蜜吃，立刻精神大振。 28 有个士兵告诉约拿单，说：“你父亲曾叫众人郑重起誓，‘今天吃东西的人必受咒诅。’所以大家很疲惫。” 29 约拿单说：“我父亲使大家受苦了。你看，我只吃了少许蜂蜜，就精神大振， 30 如果大家吃了从敌人那里夺来的食物，我们就会歼灭更多的非利士人。”

31 那天，以色列人追杀非利士人，从密抹一直追杀到亚雅仑，众人疲惫不堪。 32 他们匆匆把夺来的牛、羊和牛犊在地上宰了，肉还带血就吃了。 33 有人告诉扫罗，说：“众人吃了带血的肉，得罪耶和华了。”扫罗说：“你们犯罪了！现在把一块大石头滚到我这里来， 34 再去吩咐大家把牛羊都带到这里来宰了吃，不可吃带血的肉得罪耶和华。”当天晚上，众人都把自己的牛羊带到那里宰杀。 35 扫罗为耶和华筑了一座祭坛，这是他第一次筑坛。

36 他对以色列人说：“让我们连夜追赶非利士人，抢夺他们的财物，直到天亮，把他们全部歼灭。”众人答道：“就照你的意思。”但祭司说：“让我们先来求问上帝吧。” 37 于是，扫罗求问上帝，说：“耶和华啊，我们可以去追杀非利士人吗？你会把他们交在以色列人手里吗？”但耶和华那日没有回答他。 38 扫罗说：“你们这些百姓的首领到这里来，我们要查出今天究竟谁犯了罪， 39 我凭拯救以色列的永活的耶和华起誓，就是我儿子约拿单犯了罪，他也要死！”众人都默不作声。 40 扫罗对以色列众人说：“你们站在这边，我和我的儿子约拿单站在那边。”众人答道：“就照你的意思。” 41 扫罗向以色列的上帝耶和华祷告说：“请你把实情告诉我吧。”抽签的结果是约拿单和扫罗犯了罪，民众都是无辜的。 42 扫罗和约拿单二人再抽签，结果抽出了约拿单。 43 扫罗对约拿单说：“告诉我，你做了什么事？”约拿单说：“我只不过用手中的杖蘸了一点蜂蜜吃，就得死吗？” 44 扫罗说：“约拿单啊，你必须死。否则，愿上帝重重地惩罚我。” 45 但众人对扫罗说：“今天约拿单给以色列人带来这么大的胜利，难道要他死吗？绝对不可以！我们凭永活的耶和华起誓，绝不可动他一根头发，因为他今天的行动有上帝的帮助。”众人就这样救了约拿单的性命。 46 扫罗便停止了追击，非利士人也回本地去了。

47 扫罗统治以色列后，常常攻打四围的摩押人、亚扪人、以东人、琐巴的诸王和非利士人等仇敌，无往而不胜。 48 他奋勇杀敌，打败了亚玛力人，从掠夺者手中救出以色列人。

49 他的儿子是约拿单、亦施韦和麦基舒亚，长女叫米拉，次女叫米甲。 50 他的妻子名叫亚希暖，是亚希玛斯的女儿。扫罗军队的元帅叫押尼珥，是他叔叔尼珥的儿子。 51 扫罗的父亲基士和押尼珥的父亲尼珥都是亚别的儿子。 52 扫罗一生常和非利士人激烈交战。他遇见英勇的壮士，都会征募到自己的军队中。

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1 Samuel 14
New International Version

14 1 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.

2 Saul was staying(A) on the outskirts of Gibeah(B) under a pomegranate tree(C) in Migron.(D) With him were about six hundred men, 3 among whom was Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was a son of Ichabod’s(E) brother Ahitub(F) son of Phinehas, the son of Eli,(G) the Lord’s priest in Shiloh.(H) No one was aware that Jonathan had left.

4 On each side of the pass(I) that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez and the other Seneh. 5 One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the other to the south toward Geba.(J)

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

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

8 Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us. 9 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(O) that the Lord has given them into our hands.(P)”

11 So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews(Q) are crawling out of the holes they were hiding(R) 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.(S)”

So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me; the Lord has given them into the hand(T) 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(U) struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding(V) parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God.[a]

16 Saul’s lookouts(W) 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(X) the ark(Y) of God.” (At that time it was with the Israelites.)[b] 19 While Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the Philistine camp increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest,(Z) “Withdraw your hand.”

20 Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking(AA) 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(AB) over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 When all the Israelites who had hidden(AC) 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(AD) Israel, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven.(AE)

Jonathan Eats Honey

24 Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath,(AF) 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.(AG) He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.[c] 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(AH) 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(AI) to Aijalon,(AJ) they were exhausted. 32 They pounced on the plunder(AK) and, taking sheep, cattle and calves, they butchered them on the ground and ate them, together with the blood.(AL) 33 Then someone said to Saul, “Look, the men are sinning against the Lord by eating meat that has blood(AM) 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(AN) in it.’”

So everyone brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there. 35 Then Saul built an altar(AO) 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(AP) 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(AQ) 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(AR) today. 39 As surely as the Lord who rescues Israel lives,(AS) even if the guilt lies with my son Jonathan,(AT) he must die.”(AU) 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,[d] respond with Thummim.” Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, and the men were cleared. 42 Saul said, “Cast the lot(AV) between me and Jonathan my son.” And Jonathan was taken.

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

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

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

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(BA) of his head will fall to the ground, for he did this today with God’s help.” So the men rescued(BB) 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,(BC) the Ammonites,(BD) Edom,(BE) the kings[e] of Zobah,(BF) and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them.[f] 48 He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites,(BG) delivering Israel from the hands of those who had plundered them.

Saul’s Family

49 Saul’s sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malki-Shua.(BH) The name of his older daughter was Merab, and that of the younger was Michal.(BI) 50 His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of Saul’s army was Abner(BJ) son of Ner, and Ner was Saul’s uncle.(BK) 51 Saul’s father Kish(BL) 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(BM) him into his service.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 14:15 Or a terrible panic
  2. 1 Samuel 14:18 Hebrew; Septuagint “Bring the ephod.” (At that time he wore the ephod before the Israelites.)
  3. 1 Samuel 14:27 Or his strength was renewed; similarly in verse 29
  4. 1 Samuel 14:41 Septuagint; Hebrew does not have “Why … at fault.
  5. 1 Samuel 14:47 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint king
  6. 1 Samuel 14:47 Hebrew; Septuagint he was victorious
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