1 Samuel 14:36-52

Complete Jewish Bible

³⁶ Sha’ul said, “Let’s go after the P’lishtim by night. We’ll plunder them until dawn; we won’t leave one of them alive.” They answered, “Do whatever seems good to you.” But the cohen said, “Let’s approach God here.” ³⁷ Sha’ul consulted God: “Should I go down in pursuit of the P’lishtim? Will you hand them over to Isra’el?” But he didn’t answer him that day. ³⁸ Sha’ul said, “Come here, all you heads of the people. Think carefully: who has committed this sin today? ³⁹ For, as Adonai Isra’el’s deliverer lives, even if it proves to be Y’honatan my son, he must be put to death.” But no one among all the people answered him. ⁴⁰ Then he said to all Isra’el, “You be on one side, and I and Y’honatan my son will be on the other side.” The people replied to Sha’ul, “Do what seems good to you.” ⁴¹ Sha’ul said to Adonai the God of Isra’el, “Who is right?” Y’honatan and Sha’ul were chosen by lot, and the people went free. ⁴² Sha’ul said, “Cast lots between me and Y’honatan my son.” Y’honatan was chosen. ⁴³ Then Sha’ul said to Y’honatan, “Tell me what you did.” Y’honatan told him, “Yes, I tasted a little honey with the end of the staff in my hand. Here I am; I’m ready to die.” ⁴⁴ Sha’ul said, “May God do the same to me and more also if you are not put to death, Y’honatan!” ⁴⁵ But the people said to Sha’ul, “Must Y’honatan die, who has accomplished this great deliverance in Isra’el? Heaven forbid! As Adonai lives, not one hair of his head will fall to the ground; because he worked with God today!” In this way the people rescued Y’honatan, so that he didn’t die. ⁴⁶ Then Sha’ul stopped pursuing the P’lishtim, and the P’lishtim returned to their own territory.

⁴⁷ So Sha’ul took over the rulership of Isra’el. He fought against all his enemies on every side — against Mo’av, the people of ‘Amon, Edom, the kings of Tzovah and the P’lishtim. No matter which way he turned, he defeated them. ⁴⁸ He demonstrated his strength by attacking ‘Amalek, and he saved Isra’el from the power of those who were plundering them.

⁴⁹ The sons of Sha’ul were Y’honatan, Yishvi and Malkishua, while the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the older, Merav, and of the younger, Mikhal. ⁵⁰ Sha’ul’s wife was named Achino‘am the daughter of Achima‘atz; the commander of his army was named Avner the son of Ner, Sha’ul’s uncle. ⁵¹ Kish was the father of Sha’ul, and Ner the father of Avner was the son of Avi’el.

⁵² As long as Sha’ul lived there was bitter war against the P’lishtim. Whenever Sha’ul saw any strong or courageous man, he recruited him into his service.