¹⁹ Now it happened, while Saul ^(A)talked to the priest, that the noise which was in the camp of the Philistines continued to increase; so Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”

Saul’s Rash Oath

²⁴ And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had ^(A)placed the people under oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food.

^21 (A)He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire before the Lord for him ^(B)by the judgment of the Urim. ^(C)At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, he and all the children of Israel with him—all the congregation.”

A Cornerstone in Zion

¹⁶ Therefore thus says the Lord God:

¹¹ And Samuel said, “What have you done?”

Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash,

¹⁴ Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; ^(A)but they ^[a]did not ask counsel of the Lord.