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1 Samuel 14
Legacy Standard Bible

Jonathan Slaughters the Philistines

14 Now the day came that Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come and let us cross over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. 2 And Saul was staying in the outskirts of (A)Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in (B)Migron. And the people who were with him were (C)about six hundred men, 3 and Ahijah, the (D)son of Ahitub, (E)Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of Yahweh at (F)Shiloh, (G)was [a]wearing an ephod. And the people did not know that Jonathan had gone. 4 (H)Now between the passes by which Jonathan sought to cross over to the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp crag on the one side and a sharp crag on the other side, and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. 5 The one crag rose on the north opposite Michmash, and the other on the south opposite Geba.

6 Then Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come and let us cross over to the garrison of (I)these uncircumcised; perhaps Yahweh will work for us, for (J)Yahweh is not restrained to save by many or by few.” 7 And his armor bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart; turn yourself, and here I am with you according to your heart.” 8 Then Jonathan said, “(K)Behold, we will cross over to the men and reveal ourselves to them. 9 If they [b]say to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand in our place and not go up to them. 10 But if they [c]say, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up, for Yahweh has given them into our hands; and (L)this shall be the sign to us.” 11 So both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines, and the Philistines said, “Behold, (M)Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves.” 12 So the men of the garrison [d]hailed Jonathan and his armor bearer and said, “Come up to us, and (N)we will make you know something.” And Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come up after me, for (O)Yahweh has given them into the hands of Israel.” 13 Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor bearer behind him; and they fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer put some to death after him. 14 And that first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor bearer made was about twenty men within about half a furrow in an [e]acre of land. 15 And there was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even the garrison and (P)the raiders trembled, and (Q)the earth quaked so (R)that it became a [f]great trembling.

16 Then Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away; and they went here and there. 17 So Saul said to the people who were with him, “[g]Number now and see who has gone from us.” And when they had [h]numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there. 18 Then Saul said to Ahijah, “(S)Bring the ark of God here.” For the ark of God was at that time with the sons of Israel. 19 (T)And it happened that while Saul talked to the priest, the commotion in the camp of the Philistines continued and increased; so Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” 20 Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and came to the battle; and behold, (U)every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion. 21 Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines previously, who went up with them all around in the camp, even (V)they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 Now all the (W)men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines had fled, and they pursued them closely in the battle. 23 So (X)Yahweh saved Israel that day, and the battle [i]spread beyond (Y)Beth-aven.

Saul’s Oath Makes the People Weary

24 Now the men of Israel were hard-pressed on that day. And Saul had (Z)put the people under oath, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food [j]before evening and until I have avenged myself on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food. 25 Now all the people of the land entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground. 26 So the people entered the forest, and behold, (AA)there was a flow of honey; but no man put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the sworn oath. 27 But Jonathan had not heard when his father put the people under a sworn oath; therefore, (AB)he put out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and (AC)his eyes brightened. 28 Then one of the people answered and said, “Your father strictly put the people under a sworn oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food today.’” And the people were weary. 29 Then Jonathan said, “(AD)My father has troubled the land. See now, how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much more, if only the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great.”

31 Then they struck among the Philistines that day from (AE)Michmash to (AF)Aijalon. And the people were very weary. 32 (AG)So the people [k]rushed greedily upon the spoil, and they took sheep and oxen and calves and slaughtered them on the ground; and the people ate them (AH)with the blood. 33 Then they told Saul, saying, “Behold, the people are (AI)sinning against Yahweh by eating with the blood.” And he said, “You have acted treacherously; roll a great stone to me today.” 34 And Saul said, “Scatter yourselves among the people and say to them, ‘Each one of you bring me his ox or his sheep, and slaughter it here and eat; and do not sin against Yahweh by eating with the blood.’” So all the people that night brought each one his ox [l]with him and slaughtered it there. 35 And (AJ)Saul built an altar to Yahweh; it was the first altar that he built to Yahweh.

36 Then Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and take spoil among them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them.” And they said, “Do whatever seems good in your eyes.” So (AK)the priest said, “Let us draw near to God here.” 37 And Saul (AL)asked of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You give them into the hand of Israel?” But (AM)He did not answer him on that day. 38 And Saul said, “(AN)Draw near here, all you [m]chiefs of the people, and know and see how this sin has happened today. 39 For (AO)as Yahweh lives, who saves Israel, though it is in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But not one of all the people answered him. 40 Then he said to all Israel, “You shall 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 in your eyes.” 41 Therefore, Saul said to Yahweh, the God of Israel, “(AP)Give a perfect lot.” And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped. 42 And Saul said, “Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son.” And Jonathan was taken.

43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, “(AQ)Tell me what you have done.” So Jonathan told him and said, “(AR)I indeed tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am; I must die!” 44 And Saul said, “(AS)May God do [n]this to me and more also, for (AT)you shall surely die, Jonathan.” 45 But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die, who has [o]brought about this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As Yahweh lives, (AU)not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for (AV)he has worked with God this day.” So the people [p]redeemed Jonathan, and he did not die. 46 Then Saul went up from [q]pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.

Saul Fights Against His Enemies

47 Now Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, and he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, (AW)the sons of Ammon, Edom, (AX)the kings of Zobah, and (AY)the Philistines; and wherever he turned, he [r]inflicted punishment. 48 And he acted valiantly and (AZ)struck down the Amalekites and delivered Israel from the hands of [s]those who plundered them.

49 Now (BA)the sons of Saul were Jonathan and Ishvi and Malchi-shua; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn (BB)Merab and the name of the younger (BC)Michal. 50 And the name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And (BD)the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle. 51 (BE)And Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.

52 Now the war against the Philistines was severe all the days of Saul; and Saul would see any mighty man or any man of valor and would (BF)gather him to [t]his staff.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 14:3 Lit carrying
  2. 1 Samuel 14:9 Lit say thus
  3. 1 Samuel 14:10 Lit say thus
  4. 1 Samuel 14:12 Lit answered
  5. 1 Samuel 14:14 Lit oxen of field; what oxen could plow in a day
  6. 1 Samuel 14:15 Lit trembling of God
  7. 1 Samuel 14:17 Lit Muster(ed)
  8. 1 Samuel 14:17 Lit muster(ed)
  9. 1 Samuel 14:23 Lit passed over
  10. 1 Samuel 14:24 Lit until
  11. 1 Samuel 14:32 Lit did with regard to the spoil
  12. 1 Samuel 14:34 Lit in his hand
  13. 1 Samuel 14:38 Lit corners
  14. 1 Samuel 14:44 Lit thus
  15. 1 Samuel 14:45 Lit worked
  16. 1 Samuel 14:45 Lit ransomed
  17. 1 Samuel 14:46 Lit after
  18. 1 Samuel 14:47 Or condemned
  19. 1 Samuel 14:48 Lit its plunderers
  20. 1 Samuel 14:52 Lit himself
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1 Samuel 14
Christian Standard Bible

14 That same day Saul’s son Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, “Come on, let’s cross over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” However, he did not tell his father.

2 Saul was staying under the pomegranate tree in Migron(A) on the outskirts of Gibeah.[a](B) The troops with him numbered about six hundred.(C) 3 Ahijah,(D) who was wearing an ephod,(E) was also there. He was the son of Ahitub, the brother of Ichabod(F) son of Phinehas, son of Eli the Lord’s priest at Shiloh.(G) But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left.

4 There were sharp columns[b] of rock on both sides of the pass(H) that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine garrison. One was named Bozez and the other Seneh; 5 one stood to the north in front of Michmash and the other to the south in front of Geba. 6 Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, “Come on, let’s cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men.(I) Perhaps the Lord will help us. Nothing can keep the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”(J)

7 His armor-bearer responded, “Do what is in your heart. Go ahead! I’m completely with you.”

8 “All right,” Jonathan replied, “we’ll cross over to the men and then let them see us. 9 If they say, ‘Wait until we reach you,’ then we will stay where we are and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come on up,’ then we’ll go up, because the Lord has handed them over to us—that will be our sign.”

11 They let themselves be seen by the Philistine garrison, and the Philistines said, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they’ve been hiding!” 12 The men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armor-bearer. “Come on up, and we’ll teach you a lesson!” they said.

“Follow me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the Lord has handed them over to Israel.”(K) 13 Jonathan climbed up using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. Jonathan cut them down, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off. 14 In that first assault Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in a half-acre field.

A Defeat for the Philistines

15 Terror spread through the Philistine camp and the open fields to all the troops. Even the garrison and the raiding parties(L) were terrified. The earth shook,(M) and terror spread from God.[c](N) 16 When Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, they saw the panicking troops scattering in every direction. 17 So Saul said to the troops with him, “Call the roll and determine who has left us.” They called the roll and saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were gone.

18 Saul told Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God,” for it was with the Israelites[d] at that time. 19 While Saul spoke to the priest,(O) the panic in the Philistine camp increased in intensity. So Saul said to the priest, “Stop what you’re doing.”[e]

20 Saul and all the troops with him assembled and marched to the battle, and there the Philistines were, fighting against each other in great confusion!(P) 21 There were Hebrews from the area who had gone earlier into the camp to join the Philistines, but even they joined the Israelites(Q) who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 When all the Israelite men who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim(R) heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined Saul and Jonathan in the battle. 23 So the Lord saved Israel that day.(S)

Saul’s Rash Oath

The battle extended beyond Beth-aven, 24 and the men of Israel were worn out that day, for Saul had[f] placed the troops under an oath:(T) “The man who eats food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies is cursed.” So none of the troops tasted any food.

25 Everyone[g] went into the forest, and there was honey on the ground. 26 When the troops entered the forest, they saw the flow of honey, but none of them ate any of it[h] because they feared the oath. 27 However, Jonathan had not heard his father make the troops swear the oath. He reached out with the end of the staff he was carrying and dipped it into the honeycomb.(U) When he ate the honey,[i] he had renewed energy.[j](V) 28 Then one of the troops said, “Your father made the troops solemnly swear, ‘The man who eats food today is cursed,’ and the troops are exhausted.”

29 Jonathan replied, “My father has brought trouble to the land.(W) Just look at how I have renewed energy[k] because I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much better if the troops had eaten freely today from the plunder they took from their enemies! Then the slaughter of the Philistines would have been much greater.”

31 The Israelites struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash(X) all the way to Aijalon.(Y) Since the Israelites were completely exhausted, 32 they rushed to the plunder,(Z) took sheep, goats, cattle, and calves, slaughtered them on the ground, and ate meat with the blood still in it. 33 Some reported to Saul, “Look, the troops are sinning against the Lord by eating meat with the blood still in it.”(AA)

Saul said, “You have been unfaithful. Roll a large stone over here at once.” 34 He then said, “Go among the troops and say to them, ‘Let each man bring me his ox or his sheep. Do the slaughtering here and then you can eat. Don’t sin against the Lord by eating meat with the blood in it.’” So every one of the troops brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there. 35 Then Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first time he had built an altar to the Lord.(AB)

36 Saul said, “Let’s go down after the Philistines tonight and plunder them until morning. Don’t let even one remain!”

“Do whatever you want,” the troops replied.

But the priest(AC) said, “Let’s approach God here.”(AD)

37 So Saul inquired of God,(AE) “Should I go after the Philistines? Will you hand them over to Israel?” But God did not answer him that day.(AF)

38 Saul said, “All you leaders of the troops, come here. Let’s investigate[l] how this sin has occurred today. 39 As surely as the Lord lives who saves Israel, even if it is because of my son Jonathan, he must die!” Not one of the troops answered him.

40 So he said to all Israel, “You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side.”

And the troops replied, “Do whatever you want.”

41 So Saul said to the Lord, “God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant today? If the unrighteousness is in me or in my son Jonathan, Lord God of Israel, give Urim; but if the fault is in your people Israel, give Thummim.”[m](AG) Jonathan and Saul were selected, and the troops were cleared of the charge.

42 Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan,” and Jonathan was selected. 43 Saul commanded him, “Tell me what you did.”(AH)

Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey(AI) with the end of the staff I was carrying. I am ready to die!”

44 Saul declared to him, “May God punish me and do so severely(AJ) if you do not die, Jonathan!”

45 But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die? He accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel! No, as the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground,(AK) for he worked with God’s help today.”(AL) So the people redeemed Jonathan, and he did not die. 46 Then Saul gave up the pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own territory.

Summary of Saul’s Kingship

47 When Saul assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies in every direction: against Moab, the Ammonites,(AM) Edom, the kings of Zobah,(AN) and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he caused havoc.[n] 48 He fought bravely, defeated the Amalekites,(AO) and rescued Israel from those who plundered them.

49 Saul’s sons(AP) were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. The names of his two daughters were Merab,(AQ) his firstborn, and Michal,(AR) the younger. 50 The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner son of Saul’s uncle Ner.(AS) 51 Saul’s father was Kish.(AT) Abner’s father was Ner son of Abiel.

52 The conflict with the Philistines was fierce all of Saul’s days, so whenever Saul noticed any strong or valiant man, he enlisted him.(AU)

Footnotes

  1. 14:2 LXX reads on top of the hill
  2. 14:4 Lit There was a tooth
  3. 14:15 Or and a great terror spread
  4. 14:18 LXX reads “Bring the ephod.” For he wore the ephod before Israel
  5. 14:19 Lit “Withdraw your hand”
  6. 14:24 LXX adds committed a great act of ignorance and
  7. 14:25 Lit All the land
  8. 14:26 Lit but there was none who raised his hand to his mouth
  9. 14:27 Lit he returned his hand to his mouth
  10. 14:27 Lit his eyes became bright
  11. 14:29 Lit how my eyes became bright
  12. 14:38 Lit know and see
  13. 14:41 LXX; MT reads said to the Lord, “God of Israel, give us the right decision.”
  14. 14:47 LXX reads he was victorious
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