² The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua.

⁷ They killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon.^(A)

²⁹ While Josiah was king, Pharaoh Necho^(A) king of Egypt went up to the Euphrates River to help the king of Assyria. King Josiah marched out to meet him in battle, but Necho faced him and killed him at Megiddo.^(B)

Saul’s Family

⁴⁹ Saul’s sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malki-Shua.^(A) The name of his older daughter was Merab, and that of the younger was Michal.^(B)

³⁹ As surely as the Lord who rescues Israel lives,^(A) even if the guilt lies with my son Jonathan,^(B) he must die.”^(C) 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.

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