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1 Samuel 14
International Standard Version

Jonathan’s Heroic Exploits

14 One day Jonathan told his armor bearer,[a] “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine garrison which is on the other side,” but he did not tell his father. 2 Saul was sitting on the outskirts of Geba under the pomegranate tree which was at Migron, and with him[b] were about 600 men. 3 Along with him were Ahitub’s son Ahijah, Ichabod’s brother, who was Phineas’ son and a grandson of Eli the priest of the Lord at Shiloh, who was carrying the ephod. The people did not know that Jonathan had gone.

4 Now in the pass[c] through which Jonathan planned to get across to the Philistine garrison, there was a sharp crag[d] on one side and a sharp crag on the other side. The name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other was Seneh. 5 One crag rose on the north opposite Michmash, and the other on the south opposite Geba.

6 Jonathan told his armor bearer,[e] “Come, let’s go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised ones. Perhaps the Lord will work for us, since nothing prevents the Lord from delivering, whether by many or by a few.”

7 His armor bearer told him, “Do whatever you want.[f] Let’s move out![g] I’m right here with you, as you wish.”[h]

8 Jonathan said, “Look, we’re going over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them. 9 If they say to us, ‘Stay there until we come to you,’ then we will stay where we are[i] and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come up and fight us,’ then we will go up, for the Lord has given them into our hands, and this will be the sign for us.”

11 When the two of them showed themselves to the Philistine garrison, the Philistines said, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have been hiding.”

12 The men of the garrison responded to Jonathan and his armor bearer: “Come up and fight us, and we will show you something.”

Jonathan then told his armor bearer, “Follow me, for the Lord has given them into Israel’s control.”

13 Jonathan crawled up on his hands and feet, with his armor bearer following him. The Philistines[j] fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer who was behind him also killed some. 14 In the initial attack, Jonathan and his armor bearer struck down about twenty men in an area of about half an acre[k] of land. 15 There was terror in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even the garrison and the raiders were terrified. The earth shook, and there was even greater terror.[l]

16 Saul’s sentries in Gibeah of Benjamin watched as the camp[m] was in disarray,[n] going this way and that.[o] 17 Saul told the people who were with him, “Do a roll call[p] and see who has left us.” They did a roll call,[q] and Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there.

18 Saul told Ahijah, “Bring the Ark of God here.” For at that time the Ark of God was with[r] the Israelis.

19 While Saul was still speaking to the priest, the commotion in the Philistine camp increased more and more, and Saul told the priest, “Remove your hand.”[s]

20 Then Saul and all the people who were with him assembled and went into battle. Now the swords of all the Philistines were against each other,[t] and there was very great confusion. 21 The Hebrews who had previously been with the Philistines, who had gone up with them from the surrounding areas to the camp, even they joined Israel and those who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 All the Israelis who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, and even they pursued the Philistines[u] in the battle. 23 On that day the Lord delivered Israel, and the battle moved past Beth-aven.

Saul Issues a Rash Edict

24 The men of Israel were hard pressed on that day, and Saul required the army to take an oath: “Cursed is the person who eats food before evening and before I’ve been avenged of my enemies.” So no one tasted food.

25 Later on, all the soldiers[v] entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground. 26 The people came into the woods and there was flowing honey, but no one put his hand to his mouth to eat it because the people were afraid due to the oath. 27 But Jonathan had not heard that his father had required the army to swear an oath, so he stretched out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb. He brought it back to his mouth and his eyes brightened. 28 Then one of the people responded: “Your father strictly ordered the army to take an oath. That’s why he said, ‘Cursed is the person who eats food today,’ and so the army is exhausted.”

29 Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much better if the army had eaten freely today of their enemy’s spoil that they found, because the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great.”

31 That day they struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, and the army was very weary. 32 The army grabbed the spoil, took sheep, oxen, and calves, and slaughtered them on the ground, and then the army ate them with the blood. 33 Someone[w] reported this to Saul: “Right now the army is sinning against the Lord by eating meat[x] with the blood.” He said, “You have acted treacherously. Roll a large stone to me today.”

34 Then Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the soldiers and say to them, ‘Let each man bring his ox and his sheep to me, and you are to slaughter them here and eat. But don’t sin against the Lord by eating meat[y] with the blood.’” So every soldier brought his ox with him that night, and they slaughtered them there. 35 Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord.

36 Saul said, “Let’s go down after the Philistines tonight and plunder them until dawn, and let’s not leave a single one[z] of them alive.”

They said, “Do whatever seems good to you!”

But the priest said, “Let’s draw near to God here.”

37 Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?” But God[aa] did not answer him that day.

38 Saul said, “All you army officers are to come here to find out[ab] what constitutes[ac] this sin today. 39 Indeed, as the Lord who delivers Israel lives, even if the sin[ad] is with my son Jonathan, he will surely die!” Not a single one of the soldiers answered him. 40 Then he told all Israel, “You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side.”

The people told Saul, “Do what seems good to you.”

41 Then Saul told the Lord God of Israel, “Judge us properly.”[ae] Jonathan and Saul were selected, but the army was cleared.[af] 42 Saul said, “Cast lots between me and my son Jonathan,” and Jonathan was selected. 43 Saul told Jonathan, “Tell me what you’ve done.”

So Jonathan spoke to him: “I did taste a little honey from the end of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am; I’m ready to die!”

44 Saul said, “May God do this to me[ag] and even more, if you don’t surely die, Jonathan!”

45 Then the army told Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who brought about this great deliverance in Israel? As the Lord lives, not one hair of his head will fall to the ground, because today he did this with God’s help.”[ah]

46 Then Saul stopped pursuing[ai] the Philistines, and the Philistines went back to their territory.

Saul’s Military Victories

47 When Saul became king over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Everywhere he turned he was victorious.[aj] 48 He acted valiantly, defeated Amalek, and delivered Israel from those who had been plundering them.

Saul’s Family

49 Saul’s sons included Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchi-shua. Of his two daughters, the firstborn was named Merab, and the younger one was named Michal. 50 Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, daughter of Ahimaaz, while the commander of his army was Saul’s uncle Ner’s son Abner. 51 Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel. 52 There was intense fighting against the Philistines during Saul’s entire reign, and whenever Saul discovered a strong or valiant warrior, he would enlist him for service.[ak]

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 14:1 Lit. the young man who carries his weapons
  2. 1 Samuel 14:2 Lit. the people with him
  3. 1 Samuel 14:4 Lit. between the passes
  4. 1 Samuel 14:4 Lit. tooth of a crag
  5. 1 Samuel 14:6 Lit. the young man carrying his armor
  6. 1 Samuel 14:7 Lit. is in your heart
  7. 1 Samuel 14:7 Lit. Turn
  8. 1 Samuel 14:7 Lit. according to your heart
  9. 1 Samuel 14:9 Lit. in our place
  10. 1 Samuel 14:13 Lit. They
  11. 1 Samuel 14:14 An acre represents the amount of land a yoke of oxen could plow in a day.
  12. 1 Samuel 14:15 Lit. it became a terror of God
  13. 1 Samuel 14:16 Lit. the multitude
  14. 1 Samuel 14:16 Lit. melted away
  15. 1 Samuel 14:16 Lit. here
  16. 1 Samuel 14:17 Lit. Number
  17. 1 Samuel 14:17 Lit. numbered
  18. 1 Samuel 14:18 So some mss and ancient versions; MT and the Israelis
  19. 1 Samuel 14:19 I.e. from the ephod that the priest was wearing in order to determine God’s will as to what the army should do
  20. 1 Samuel 14:20 Lit. the sword of each man was against his companion
  21. 1 Samuel 14:22 Lit. them
  22. 1 Samuel 14:25 Lit. land
  23. 1 Samuel 14:33 Lit. They
  24. 1 Samuel 14:33 The Heb. lacks meat
  25. 1 Samuel 14:34 The Heb. lacks meat
  26. 1 Samuel 14:36 Lit. a man
  27. 1 Samuel 14:37 Lit. he
  28. 1 Samuel 14:38 Lit. know and see
  29. 1 Samuel 14:38 Lit. in what is
  30. 1 Samuel 14:39 Lit. it
  31. 1 Samuel 14:41 Lit. Give perfect
  32. 1 Samuel 14:41 Lit. went out
  33. 1 Samuel 14:44 So LXX; i.e. may God strike me dead
  34. 1 Samuel 14:45 Lit. with God
  35. 1 Samuel 14:46 Lit. went up from after
  36. 1 Samuel 14:47 Cf. LXX
  37. 1 Samuel 14:52 Lit. gather him to himself
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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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1 Samuel 14
1599 Geneva Bible

14 14 Jonathan and his armor bearer put the Philistines to flight. 24 Saul bindeth the people by an oath, not to eat till evening. 32 The people eat with the blood. 38 Saul would put Jonathan to death. 45 The people deliver him.

1 Then on a day Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armor, [a]Come and let us go over toward the Philistines garrison, that is yonder on the other side, but he told not his father.

2 And Saul tarried in the border of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree, which was in Migron, and the people that were with him, were about six hundred men.

3 And Ahijah the son of Ahitub, (A)Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, was the Lord’s Priest in Shiloh, and wore an Ephod: and the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.

4 ¶ Now in the way whereby Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines garrison, there was a [b]sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: the name of the one was called Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.

5 The one rock stretched from the North toward Michmash, and the other was from the South toward Gibeah.

6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armor, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these [c]uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work with us: for it is [d]not hard to the Lord (B)to save with many, or with few.

7 And he that bare his armor, said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: go where it pleaseth thee: behold, [e]I am with thee as thine heart desireth.

8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we go over unto those men, and will show ourselves unto them.

9 [f]If they say on this wise to us, Tarry until we come to you, then we will stand still in our place, and not go up to them.

10 But if they say, Come up unto us, then we will go up: for the Lord hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.

11 So they both showed themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, See, the Hebrews come out of the [g]holes wherein they had hid themselves.

12 And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armor bearer, and said, Come up to us: for we will show you a thing. Then Jonathan said unto his armor bearer, Come up after me: for the Lord hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.

13 So Jonathan went up upon [h]his hands and upon his feet, and his armor bearer after him: and some fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer slew others after him.

14 So the [i]first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor bearer made, was about twenty men, as it were within half an acre of land which two oxen plow.

15 And there was a fear in the host, and in the field, and among all the people: the garrison also, and they that went out to spoil, were afraid themselves: and the earth [j]trembled: for it was stricken with fear by God.

16 ¶ Then the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin saw: and behold, the multitude was discomfited, and smitten as they went.

17 Therefore said Saul unto the people that were with him, Search now, and see, who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there.

18 And Saul said unto Ahijah, Bring hither the Ark of God (for the Ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel)

19 ¶ And while Saul talked unto the Priest, the noise that was in the host of the Philistines, spread farther abroad, and increased: therefore Saul said unto the Priest, [k]Withdraw thine hand.

20 And Saul was assembled with all the people that were with him, and they came to the battle: and behold, (C)every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.

21 Moreover, the Hebrews that were with the Philistines beforetime, and were come with them into all parts of the host, even they also turned to be with the [l]Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.

22 Also all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines were fled, they followed after them in the battle.

23 And so the Lord saved Israel that day: and the battle continued unto Beth Aven.

24 And at that time the men of Israel were pressed with hunger: for Saul charged the people with an oath, saying, [m]Cursed be the man that eateth [n]food till night, that I may be avenged of mine enemies: so none of the people tasted any sustenance.

25 And all they of the land came to a wood, where honey lay upon the ground.

26 And the people came into the wood, and behold, the honey dropped, and no man moved his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the [o]oath.

27 But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honey comb, and put his hand to his mouth, and his [p]eyes received sight.

28 Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father made the people to swear, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth sustenance this day: and the people were [q]faint.

29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath [r]troubled the land: see now how mine eyes are made clear, because I have tasted a little of this honey:

30 How much more, if the people had eaten today of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a greater slaughter among the Philistines?

31 ¶ And they smote the Philistines that day, from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were exceeding faint.

32 So the people turned to the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves and slew them on the ground, and the people did eat them (D)with the blood.

33 Then men told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the Lord, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have trespassed: [s]roll a great stone unto me this day.

34 Again Saul said, Go abroad among the people, and bid them bring me every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat, and sin not against the Lord in eating with the blood. And the people brought every man his ox in his hand that night, and slew them there.

35 Then Saul made an altar unto the Lord, and that [t]was the first altar that he made unto the Lord.

36 ¶ And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning shine, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever thou thinkest best. Then said the Priest, Let us [u]draw near hither unto God.

37 So Saul asked of God, saying, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hands of Israel? But he answered him not at that time.

38 ¶ And Saul said, (E)All [v]ye chief of the people, come ye hither, and know, and see by whom this sin is done this day.

39 For as the Lord liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be done by Jonathan my son, he shall die the death. But none of all the people answered him.

40 Then he said unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what thou thinkest best.

41 Then Saul said unto the Lord God of Israel, Give [w]a perfect lot. And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped.

42 And Saul said, Cast lot between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.

43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I tasted a little honey with the end of the rod, that was in mine hand, and lo, I must die.

44 Again Saul answered, God do so and more also, unless thou die the death, Jonathan.

45 And the people said unto Saul, [x]Shall Jonathan die, who hath so mightily delivered Israel? God forbid. As the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground: for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people delivered Jonathan that he died not.

46 Then Saul came up from the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.

47 ¶ So Saul held the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the Kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he went, he [y]handled them as wicked men.

48 He gathered also an host and smote [z]Amalek, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.

49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, [aa]and Jishui, and Malchishua: and the names of his two daughters, the elder was called Merab, and the younger was named [ab]Michal.

50 And the name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of his chief captain was [ac]Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.

51 And Kish was Saul’s father: and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.

52 And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and [ad]whomsoever Saul saw to be a strong man, and meet for the war, he took him unto him.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 14:1 By this example God would declare to Israel that the victory did not consist in multitude or armor, but only came of his grace.
  2. 1 Samuel 14:4 Or, like a tooth.
  3. 1 Samuel 14:6 To wit, the Philistines.
  4. 1 Samuel 14:6 Or, none can let the Lord.
  5. 1 Samuel 14:7 I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
  6. 1 Samuel 14:9 This he spake by the spirit of prophecy, forasmuch hereby God gave him assurance of the victory.
  7. 1 Samuel 14:11 Thus they spake contemptuously and by derision.
  8. 1 Samuel 14:13 That is, he crept up, or went up with all haste.
  9. 1 Samuel 14:14 The second was when they slew one another, and the third when the Israelites chased them.
  10. 1 Samuel 14:15 In that the insensible creatures tremble for fear of God’s judgment, it declareth how terrible his vengeance shall be against his enemies.
  11. 1 Samuel 14:19 Let the Ephod alone: for I have no leisure now to ask counsel of God, Num. 27:21.
  12. 1 Samuel 14:21 Though before for fear of the Philistines they declared themselves as enemies to their brethren.
  13. 1 Samuel 14:24 Such was his hypocrisy and arrogancy, that he thought to attribute to his policy that which God had given by the hand of Jonathan.
  14. 1 Samuel 14:24 Hebrew, bread.
  15. 1 Samuel 14:26 That is, the punishment, if they break their oath.
  16. 1 Samuel 14:27 Which were dim before for weariness and hunger.
  17. 1 Samuel 14:28 Or, weary.
  18. 1 Samuel 14:29 By making this cruel law.
  19. 1 Samuel 14:33 That the blood of the beast that shall be slain, may be pressed out upon it.
  20. 1 Samuel 14:35 Or, of that stone began he to build an altar.
  21. 1 Samuel 14:36 To ask counsel of him.
  22. 1 Samuel 14:38 Hebrew, corners.
  23. 1 Samuel 14:41 Cause the lot to fall on him that hath broken the oath: but he doth not consider his presumption in commanding the same oath.
  24. 1 Samuel 14:45 The people thought it their duty to rescue him, who of ignorance had but broken a rash law, and by whom they had received so great a benefit.
  25. 1 Samuel 14:47 Or, overcame them.
  26. 1 Samuel 14:48 As the Lord had commanded, Deut. 25:17.
  27. 1 Samuel 14:49 Called also Abinadab, 1 Sam. 31:2.
  28. 1 Samuel 14:49 Which was the Wife of David, 1 Sam. 18:27.
  29. 1 Samuel 14:50 Whom Joab the captain of David slew, 2 Sam. 3:27.
  30. 1 Samuel 14:52 As Samuel had forewarned, 1 Sam. 8:11.
Listen to 1 Samuel 14
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1 Samuel 14
New King James Version

Jonathan Defeats the Philistines

14 Now it happened one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who [a]bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. 2 And Saul was sitting in the outskirts of (A)Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men. 3 (B)Ahijah the son of Ahitub, (C)Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh, was (D)wearing an ephod. But the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.

4 Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over (E)to the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on one side and a sharp rock on the other side. And the name of one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. 5 The front of one faced northward opposite Michmash, and the other southward opposite Gibeah.

6 Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these (F)uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord (G)from saving by many or by few.”

7 So his armorbearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart.”

8 Then Jonathan said, “Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them. 9 If they say thus to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them. 10 But if they say thus, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up. For the Lord has delivered them into our hand, and (H)this will be a sign to us.”

11 So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have (I)hidden.” 12 Then the men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armorbearer, and said, “Come up to us, and we will [b]show you something.”

Jonathan said to his armorbearer, “Come up after me, for the Lord has delivered them into the hand of Israel.” 13 And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and knees with his armorbearer after him; and they (J)fell before Jonathan. And as he came after him, his armorbearer killed them. 14 That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armorbearer made was about twenty men within about [c]half an acre of land.

15 And (K)there was [d]trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and (L)the raiders also trembled; and the earth quaked, so that it was (M)a very great trembling. 16 Now the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and there was the multitude, melting away; and they (N)went here and there. 17 Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Now call the roll and see who has gone from us.” And when they had called the roll, surprisingly, Jonathan and his armorbearer were not there. 18 And Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the [e]ark of God here” (for at that time the ark of God was with the children of Israel). 19 Now it happened, while Saul (O)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.” 20 Then Saul and all the people who were with him assembled, and they went to the battle; and indeed (P)every man’s sword was against his neighbor, and there was very great confusion. 21 Moreover the Hebrews who were with the Philistines before that time, who went up with them into the camp from the surrounding country, they also joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 Likewise all the men of Israel who (Q)had hidden in the mountains of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, they also followed hard after them in the battle. 23 (R)So the Lord saved Israel that day, and the battle shifted (S)to Beth Aven.

Saul’s Rash Oath

24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had (T)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. 25 (U)Now all the people of the land came to a forest; and there was (V)honey on the ground. 26 And when the people had come into the woods, there was the honey, dripping; but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath. 27 But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath; therefore he stretched out the end of the rod that was in his hand and dipped it in a honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his [f]countenance brightened. 28 Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food this day.’ ” And the people were faint.

29 But Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. Look now, how my countenance has brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now would there not have been a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?”

31 Now they had [g]driven back the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. So the people were very faint. 32 And the people rushed on the [h]spoil, and took sheep, oxen, and calves, and slaughtered them on the ground; and the people ate them (W)with the blood. 33 Then they told Saul, saying, “Look, the people are sinning against the Lord by eating with the blood!”

So he said, “You have dealt treacherously; roll a large stone to me this day.” 34 Then Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them, ‘Bring me here every man’s ox and every man’s sheep, slaughter them here, and eat; and do not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.’ ” So every one of the people brought his ox with him that night, and slaughtered it there. 35 Then Saul (X)built an altar to the Lord. This was the first altar that he built to the Lord.

36 Now Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and plunder them until the morning light; and let us not leave a man of them.”

And they said, “Do whatever seems good to you.”

Then the priest said, “Let us draw near to God here.”

37 So Saul (Y)asked counsel of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You deliver them into the hand of Israel?” But (Z)He did not answer him that day. 38 And Saul said, (AA)“Come over here, all you chiefs of the people, and know and see what this sin was today. 39 For (AB)as the Lord lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But not a man among all the people answered him. 40 Then he said to all Israel, “You be on one side, and my son Jonathan and I will be on the other side.”

And the people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.”

41 Therefore Saul said to the Lord God of Israel, (AC)“Give[i] a perfect lot.” (AD)So Saul and Jonathan were taken, but the people escaped. 42 And Saul said, “Cast lots between my son Jonathan and me.” So Jonathan was taken. 43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, (AE)“Tell me what you have done.”

And Jonathan told him, and said, (AF)“I only tasted a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand. So now I must die!”

44 Saul answered, (AG)“God do so and more also; (AH)for you shall surely die, Jonathan.”

45 But the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great deliverance in Israel? Certainly not! (AI)As the Lord lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked (AJ)with God this day.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.

46 Then Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.

Saul’s Continuing Wars

47 So Saul established his sovereignty over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the people of (AK)Ammon, against Edom, against the kings of (AL)Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he [j]harassed them. 48 And he gathered an army and (AM)attacked[k] the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hands of those who plundered them.

49 (AN)The sons of Saul were Jonathan, [l]Jishui, and Malchishua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger (AO)Michal. 50 The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s (AP)uncle. 51 (AQ)Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.

52 Now there was fierce war with the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man or any valiant man, (AR)he took him for himself.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 14:1 carried
  2. 1 Samuel 14:12 teach
  3. 1 Samuel 14:14 Lit. half the area plowed by a yoke of oxen in a day
  4. 1 Samuel 14:15 terror
  5. 1 Samuel 14:18 So with MT, Tg., Vg.; LXX ephod
  6. 1 Samuel 14:27 Lit. eyes
  7. 1 Samuel 14:31 Lit. struck
  8. 1 Samuel 14:32 plunder
  9. 1 Samuel 14:41 So with MT, Tg.; LXX, Vg. Why do You not answer Your servant today? If the injustice is with me or Jonathan my son, O Lord God of Israel, give proof; and if You say it is with Your people Israel, give holiness.
  10. 1 Samuel 14:47 LXX, Vg. prospered
  11. 1 Samuel 14:48 Lit. struck
  12. 1 Samuel 14:49 Abinadab, 1 Chr. 8:33; 9:39
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