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1 Samuel 14
New English Translation

14 Then one day Jonathan son of Saul said to his armor-bearer,[a] “Come on, let’s go over to the Philistine garrison that is opposite us.” But he did not let his father know.

2 Now Saul was sitting under a pomegranate tree in Migron, on the outskirts of Gibeah. The army that was with him numbered about 600 men. 3 Now Ahijah was carrying[b] an ephod. He was the son of Ahitub, who was the brother of Ichabod and a son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the Lord in Shiloh. The army was unaware that Jonathan had left.

4 Now there was a steep cliff on each side of the pass through which Jonathan intended to go to reach the Philistine garrison. One cliff was named Bozez, the other Seneh. 5 The cliff to the north was closer to Micmash, the one to the south closer to Geba.

6 Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will intervene[c] for us. Nothing can prevent the Lord from delivering, whether by many or by a few.” 7 His armor-bearer said to him, “Do everything that is on your mind.[d] Do as you’re inclined. I’m with you all the way!”[e]

8 Jonathan replied, “All right.[f] We’ll go over to these men and fight them. 9 If they say to us, ‘Stay put until we approach you,’ we will stay[g] right there and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come up against us,’ we will go up. For in that case the Lord has given them into our hand—it will be a sign to us.”

11 When they[h] made themselves known to the Philistine garrison, the Philistines said, “Look! The Hebrews are coming out of the holes in which they hid themselves.” 12 Then the men of the garrison said to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come on up to us so we can teach you a thing or two!”[i] Then Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Come up behind me, for the Lord has given[j] them into the hand of Israel!”

13 Jonathan crawled up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer following behind him. Jonathan struck down the Philistines,[k] while his armor-bearer came along behind him and killed them.[l] 14 In this initial skirmish Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in an area that measured half an acre.

15 Then fear overwhelmed[m] those who were in the camp, those who were in the field, all the army in the garrison, and the raiding bands. They trembled and the ground shook. This fear was caused by God.[n]

16 Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin[o] looked on[p] as the crowd of soldiers seemed to melt away first in one direction and then in another.[q] 17 So Saul said to the army that was with him, “Muster the troops and see who is no longer with us.” When they mustered the troops,[r] Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. 18 So Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring near the ephod,”[s] for he was at that time wearing the ephod in front of the Israelites.[t] 19 While[u] Saul spoke to the priest, the panic in the Philistines’ camp was becoming greater and greater. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”

20 Saul and all the army assembled and marched into battle, where they found[v] the Philistines in total panic killing one another with their swords.[w] 21 The Hebrews who had earlier gone over to the Philistine side[x] joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 When all the Israelites who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines had fled, they too pursued them in battle. 23 So the Lord delivered Israel that day, and the battle shifted over to Beth Aven.[y]

Jonathan Violates Saul’s Oath

24 Now the men of Israel were hard pressed that day, for Saul had made the army agree to this oath: “Cursed be the man who eats food before evening. I will get my vengeance on my enemies!” So no one in the army ate anything.

25 Now the whole army[z] entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground.[aa] 26 When the army entered the forest, they saw[ab] the honey flowing, but no one ate any of it,[ac] for the army was afraid of the oath. 27 But Jonathan had not heard about the oath his father had made the army take. He extended the end of his staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb. When he ate it,[ad] his eyes gleamed.[ae] 28 Then someone from the army informed him, “Your father put the army under a strict oath[af] saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food today.’ That is why the army is tired.” 29 Then Jonathan said, “My father has caused trouble for the land. See how my eyes gleamed[ag] when I tasted just a little of this honey. 30 Certainly if the army had eaten some of the enemies’ provisions that they came across today, would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?”

31 On that day the army struck down the Philistines from Micmash to Aijalon, and they became very tired. 32 So the army rushed greedily on[ah] the[ai] plunder, confiscating sheep, cattle, and calves. They slaughtered them right on the ground, and the army ate them, blood and all.

33 Now it was reported to Saul, “Look, the army is sinning against the Lord by eating even the blood.” He said, “All of you have broken the covenant![aj] Roll a large stone over here[ak] to me.” 34 Then Saul said, “Scatter out among the army and say to them, ‘Each of you bring to me your ox and sheep and slaughter them in this spot and eat. But don’t sin against the Lord by eating the blood.” So that night each one brought his ox and slaughtered it there.[al] 35 Then Saul built an altar for the Lord; it was the first time he had built an altar for the Lord.

36 Saul said, “Let’s go down after the Philistines at night; we will rout[am] them until the break of day.[an] We won’t leave any of them alive!”[ao] They replied, “Do whatever seems best to you.”[ap] But the priest said, “Let’s approach God here.” 37 So Saul asked God, “Should I go down after the Philistines? Will you deliver them into the hand of Israel?” But he did not answer him that day.

38 Then Saul said, “All you leaders of the army come here. Find out[aq] how this sin occurred today. 39 For as surely as the Lord, the deliverer of Israel, lives, even if it turns out to be my own son Jonathan, he will certainly die!” But no one from the army said anything.[ar]

40 Then he said to all Israel, “You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side.” The army replied to Saul, “Do whatever you think is best.”

41 Then Saul said, “O Lord God of Israel! If this sin has been committed by me or by my son Jonathan, then, O Lord God of Israel, respond with Urim. But if this sin has been committed by your people Israel, respond with Thummim.”[as] Then Jonathan and Saul were indicated by lot, while the army was exonerated.[at] 42 Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan!”[au] Jonathan was indicated by lot.

43 So Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” Jonathan told him, “I used the end of the staff that was in my hand to taste a little honey. I must die!”[av] 44 Saul said, “God will punish me severely if Jonathan doesn’t die!”[aw]

45 But the army said to Saul, “Should Jonathan, who won this great victory in Israel, die? May it never be! As surely as the Lord lives, not a single hair of his head will fall to the ground, for it is with the help of God that he has acted today.” So the army rescued Jonathan from death.[ax]

46 Then Saul stopped chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines went back home.[ay] 47 After Saul had secured his royal position over Israel, he fought against all their[az] enemies on all sides—the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. In every direction that he turned, he was victorious.[ba] 48 He fought bravely, striking down the Amalekites and delivering Israel from the hand of its enemies.[bb]

Members of Saul’s Family

49 The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malki-Shua.[bc] He had two daughters; the older one was named Merab and the younger Michal. 50 The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the general in command of his army was Abner son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.[bd] 51 Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son[be] of Abiel.

52 There was fierce war with the Philistines all the days of Saul. So whenever Saul saw anyone who was a warrior or a brave individual, he would conscript him.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 14:1 tn Or “the servant who was carrying his military equipment” (likewise in vv. 6, 7, 12, 13, 14).
  2. 1 Samuel 14:3 tn Heb “bearing.” Many English versions understand this verb to mean “wearing” (cf. KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NLT). The ephod could be used for consulting the Lord’s will (1 Sam 23:9-10; 30:7-8) and is not always worn (1 Sam 23:6). The significance in this context is probably not that Ahijah was dressed for sacrificial duties or to appear before God at the tabernacle, but rather that the ephod was available for consulting God, given the people’s ignorance about Jonathan’s activities. (Cf. the note at 1 Sam 2:28.)
  3. 1 Samuel 14:6 tn Heb “act.”
  4. 1 Samuel 14:7 tn Heb “in your heart.”
  5. 1 Samuel 14:7 tn Heb “Look, I am with you, according to your heart.” See the note at 13:14.
  6. 1 Samuel 14:8 tn Heb “Look!”
  7. 1 Samuel 14:9 tn Heb “stand.”
  8. 1 Samuel 14:11 tn Heb “the two of them.”
  9. 1 Samuel 14:12 tn Heb “a thing.”
  10. 1 Samuel 14:12 tn The perfect verbal form is used rhetorically here to express Jonathan’s certitude. As far as he is concerned, the victory is as good as won and can be described as such.
  11. 1 Samuel 14:13 tn Heb “and they fell before Jonathan.”
  12. 1 Samuel 14:13 tn Heb “and the one carrying his equipment was killing after him.”
  13. 1 Samuel 14:15 tn Heb “fell upon.”
  14. 1 Samuel 14:15 tn Heb “and it was by the fear of God.” The translation understands this to mean that God was the source or cause of the fear experienced by the Philistines. This seems to be the most straightforward reading of the sentence. It is possible, however, that the word “God” functions here simply to intensify the accompanying word “fear,” in which one might translate “a very great fear” (cf. NAB, NRSV). It is clear that on some occasions that the divine name carries such a superlative nuance. For examples see Joüon 2:525 §141.n.
  15. 1 Samuel 14:16 tn Heb “at Gibeah of Benjamin.” The words “in the territory” are supplied in the translation for clarity.
  16. 1 Samuel 14:16 tn Heb “saw, and look!”
  17. 1 Samuel 14:16 tn Heb “the crowd melted and went, even here.”
  18. 1 Samuel 14:17 tn Heb “and they mustered the troops, and look!”
  19. 1 Samuel 14:18 tc Heb “the ark of God.” It seems unlikely that Saul would call for the ark, which was several miles away in Kiriath Jearim (see 1 Sam 7:2). The LXX and an Old Latin ms have “ephod” here, a reading which harmonizes better with v. 3 and fits better with the verb “bring near” (see 1 Sam 23:9; 30:7) and with the expression “withdraw your hand” in v. 19. There are also quotations of this reading in rabbinic literature and medieval Jewish literature according to V. Aptowitzer, The Scripture in the Rabbinic Literature and Medieval Jewish Literature, Prolegomena (3 parts, Vindobonae, 1906, 1908, 1911). It is followed in the present translation (cf. NAB, NJB, GWN, TEV, NLT, CEB, BBE).
  20. 1 Samuel 14:18 tc Heb “for the ark of God was in that day, and the sons of Israel.” The translation follows the text of some Greek manuscripts. See the previous note.
  21. 1 Samuel 14:19 tn Or perhaps “until.”
  22. 1 Samuel 14:20 tn Heb “and look, there was.”
  23. 1 Samuel 14:20 tn Heb “the sword of a man against his companion, a very great panic.”
  24. 1 Samuel 14:21 tn Heb “and the Hebrews were to the Philistines formerly, who went up with them in the camp all around.”
  25. 1 Samuel 14:23 tc The LXX includes the following words: “And all the people were with Saul, about ten thousand men. And the battle extended to the entire city on mount Ephraim.”
  26. 1 Samuel 14:25 tn Heb “all the land.”
  27. 1 Samuel 14:25 tn Heb “the surface of the field.”
  28. 1 Samuel 14:26 tn Heb “and the army entered the forest, and look!”
  29. 1 Samuel 14:26 tn Heb “and there was no one putting his hand to his mouth.”
  30. 1 Samuel 14:27 tn Heb “and he returned his hand to his mouth.”
  31. 1 Samuel 14:27 tc The translation follows the Qere and several medieval Hebrew mss in reading “gleamed,” rather than the Kethib, “saw.”
  32. 1 Samuel 14:28 tn Heb “your father surely put the army under an oath.” The infinitive absolute is used before the finite verb to emphasize the solemn nature of the oath.
  33. 1 Samuel 14:29 tc The LXX reads “saw.” See v. 27.
  34. 1 Samuel 14:32 tc The translation follows the Qere and many medieval Hebrew mss in reading “and they rushed greedily upon,” rather than the Kethib, “and they did.”
  35. 1 Samuel 14:32 tc The translation reads with the Qere and many medieval Hebrew mss הַשָּׁלָל (hashalal, “the spoil”) rather than following the Kethib reading, שָׁלָל (shalal, “spoil”).
  36. 1 Samuel 14:33 tn Heb “You have acted deceptively.” In this context the verb refers to violating an agreement, in this case the dietary and sacrificial regulations of the Mosaic law. The verb form is second masculine plural; apparently Saul here addresses those who are eating the animals.
  37. 1 Samuel 14:33 tc The translation follows the LXX reading ἐνταῦθα (entautha, “here”) for הֲלֹם (halom, “here”) rather than the MT’s הַיּוֹם (hayyom, “today”).
  38. 1 Samuel 14:34 tn Heb “and all the army brought near, each his ox by his hand, and they slaughtered there.”
  39. 1 Samuel 14:36 tn Heb “plunder.”
  40. 1 Samuel 14:36 tn Heb “until the light of the morning.”
  41. 1 Samuel 14:36 tn Heb “and there will not be left among them a man.”
  42. 1 Samuel 14:36 tn Heb “all that is good in your eyes.” So also in v. 40.
  43. 1 Samuel 14:38 tn Heb “know and see.”
  44. 1 Samuel 14:39 tn Heb “and there was no one answering from all the army.”
  45. 1 Samuel 14:41 tc Heb “to the Lord God of Israel: ‘Give what is perfect.’” The Hebrew textual tradition has accidentally omitted several words here. The present translation follows the LXX (as do several English versions, cf. NAB, NRSV, TEV). See P. K. McCarter, I Samuel (AB), 247-48, and R. W. Klein, 1 Samuel (WBC), 132.sn The Urim and Thummim were used for lot casting in ancient Israel. Their exact identity is uncertain; they may have been specially marked stones drawn from a bag. See Exod 28:30; Lev 8:8, and Deut 33:8, as well as the discussion in R. W. Klein, 1 Samuel (WBC), 140.
  46. 1 Samuel 14:41 tn Heb “went out.”
  47. 1 Samuel 14:42 tc The LXX includes the following words: “Whomever the Lord will indicate by the lot, let him die! And the people said to Saul, ‘It is not this word.’ But Saul prevailed over the people, and they cast lots between him and between Jonathan his son.”
  48. 1 Samuel 14:43 tn Heb “Look, I, I will die.” Apparently Jonathan is acquiescing to his anticipated fate of death. However, the words may be taken as sarcastic (“Here I am about to die!”) or as a question, “Must I now die?” (cf. NAB, NIV, NCV, NLT).
  49. 1 Samuel 14:44 tn Heb “So God will do and so he will add, surely you will certainly die, Jonathan.”
  50. 1 Samuel 14:45 tn Heb “and he did not die.”
  51. 1 Samuel 14:46 tn Heb “to their place.”
  52. 1 Samuel 14:47 tn Heb “his,” which could refer to Israel or to Saul.
  53. 1 Samuel 14:47 tc The translation follows the LXX (“he was delivered”), rather than the MT, which reads, “he acted wickedly.”
  54. 1 Samuel 14:48 tn Heb “plunderers.”
  55. 1 Samuel 14:49 sn The list differs from others. In 1 Sam 31:2 (= 1 Chr 10:2), Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua are listed as Saul’s sons, while 1 Chr 8:33 and 9:39 list Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
  56. 1 Samuel 14:50 sn The word “uncle” can modify either Abner or Ner. See the note on the word “son” in v. 51 for further discussion.
  57. 1 Samuel 14:51 tn 1 Chr 9:35-36 indicates that Jeiel (= Abiel?) had two sons (among others) named Ner and Kish (see also 1 Sam 9:1 and 1 Chr 8:30, where some Greek manuscripts include the name Ner, though it is absent in the Hebrew text). If this Kish was the father of Saul and Ner was the father of Abner, then Saul and Abner were cousins. However, according to 1 Chr 8:33 and 9:39, Ner, not Abiel, was the father of Kish. In this case, Kish and Abner were brothers and Abner was Saul’s uncle. The simplest solution to the problem is to see two men named Kish in the genealogy: Abiel (Jeiel) was the father of Ner and Kish I. Ner was the father of Abner and Kish II. Kish II was the father of Saul. The Kish mentioned in 1 Sam 9:1 was the father of Saul (v. 2) and must be identified as Kish II. In this case the genealogy is “gapped,” with Ner being omitted. Abiel was the grandfather of Kish II.
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1 Samuel 14
Dios Habla Hoy

Hazaña de Jonatán

14 Cierto día Jonatán, el hijo de Saúl, dijo a su ayudante:

—Ven, crucemos el río y ataquemos al destacamento filisteo que está al otro lado.

Pero Jonatán no dijo nada de esto a su padre, 2 que había acampado en el extremo de una colina y estaba debajo de un granado, en un lugar donde trillaban trigo, acompañado por una tropa compuesta de seiscientos hombres. 3 El encargado de llevar el efod era Ahías, que era hijo de Ahitub y sobrino de Icabod, el hijo de Finees y nieto de Elí, el sacerdote del Señor en Siló.

La gente no sabía que Jonatán se había ido. 4 Mientras tanto, él trataba de llegar hasta donde se encontraba el destacamento filisteo. El paso estaba entre dos grandes peñascos, llamados Bosés y Sene, 5 uno al norte, frente a Micmás, y el otro al sur, frente a Guibeá. 6 Y Jonatán dijo a su ayudante:

—Anda, vamos al otro lado, hasta donde se encuentra el destacamento de esos paganos. Quizá el Señor haga algo por nosotros, ya que para él no es difícil darnos la victoria con mucha gente o con poca.

7 —Haz todo lo que tengas en mente, que estoy dispuesto a apoyarte en tus propósitos —respondió su ayudante.

8 Entonces Jonatán le dijo:

—Mira, vamos a pasar al otro lado, a donde están esos hombres, y dejaremos que nos vean. 9 Si nos dicen que esperemos a que bajen hasta donde estamos, nos quedaremos allí y no subiremos adonde ellos están. 10 Pero si nos dicen que subamos, lo haremos así, porque eso será una señal de que el Señor nos dará la victoria.

11 Así pues, los dos dejaron que los filisteos del destacamento los vieran. Y éstos, al verlos, dijeron: «Miren, ya están saliendo los hebreos de las cuevas en que se habían escondido.» 12 Y en seguida les gritaron a Jonatán y a su ayudante:

—¡Suban adonde estamos, que les vamos a contar algo!

Entonces Jonatán le dijo a su ayudante:

—Sígueme, porque el Señor va a entregarlos en manos de los israelitas.

13 Jonatán subió trepando con pies y manos, seguido de su ayudante. A los que Jonatán hacía rodar por tierra, su ayudante los remataba en seguida. 14 En este primer ataque, Jonatán y su ayudante mataron a unos veinte hombres en corto espacio. 15 Todos los que estaban en el campamento y fuera de él se llenaron de miedo. Los soldados del destacamento y los grupos de guerrilleros también tuvieron miedo. Al mismo tiempo hubo un temblor de tierra, y se produjo un pánico enorme.

16 Los centinelas de Saúl, que estaban en Guibeá de Benjamín, vieron a los filisteos correr en tropel de un lado a otro. 17 Entonces Saúl dijo al ejército que lo acompañaba:

—Pasen revista para ver quién falta de los nuestros.

Al pasar revista, se vio que faltaban Jonatán y su ayudante. 18 Y como ese día el efod de Dios se hallaba entre los israelitas, Saúl le dijo a Ahías:

—Trae aquí el efod de Dios.

19 Pero mientras Saúl hablaba con el sacerdote, la confusión en el campamento filisteo iba en aumento. Entonces Saúl le dijo al sacerdote:

—Ya no lo traigas.

20 En seguida Saúl y todas sus tropas se reunieron y se lanzaron a la batalla. Era tal la confusión que había entre los filisteos, que acabaron matándose entre sí. 21 Además, los hebreos que desde hacía tiempo estaban con los filisteos y habían salido con ellos como parte de su ejército, se pasaron al lado de los israelitas que acompañaban a Saúl y Jonatán. 22 Y cuando los israelitas que se habían refugiado en los montes de Efraín supieron que los filisteos huían, se lanzaron a perseguirlos y a darles batalla. 23 El combate se extendió hasta Bet-avén, y el Señor libró a Israel en esta ocasión.

Juramento de Saúl

24 Sin embargo, los israelitas estaban muy agotados aquel día, pues nadie había probado alimento porque Saúl había puesto al pueblo bajo juramento, diciendo: «Maldito aquel que coma algo antes de la tarde, antes de que yo me haya vengado de mis enemigos.» 25 Y el ejército llegó a un bosque donde había miel en el suelo. 26 Cuando la gente entró en el bosque, la miel corría como agua; pero nadie la probó siquiera, por miedo al juramento. 27 Pero Jonatán, que no había escuchado el juramento bajo el cual su padre había puesto al ejército, extendió la vara que llevaba en la mano, mojó la punta en un panal de miel y comió de ella, con lo cual se reanimó en seguida. 28 Entonces uno de los soldados israelitas le dijo:

—Tu padre ha puesto al ejército bajo juramento, y ha dicho que quien hoy coma alguna cosa, será maldito. Por eso la gente está muy agotada.

29 Jonatán respondió:

—Mi padre ha causado un perjuicio a la nación. Mira qué reanimado estoy después de haber probado un poco de esta miel, 30 y más lo estaría la gente si hubiera comido hoy de lo que le quitó al enemigo. ¡Y qué tremenda habría sido la derrota de los filisteos!

31 Aquel día los israelitas derrotaron a los filisteos, luchando desde Micmás hasta Aialón. Pero el ejército israelita estaba muy agotado, 32 así que finalmente se lanzó sobre lo que se le había quitado al enemigo, y tomando ovejas, vacas y becerros, los degollaron en el suelo y comieron la carne con sangre y todo. 33 Pero algunos fueron a decirle a Saúl:

—La gente está pecando contra el Señor, porque está comiendo carne con sangre.

Entonces Saúl dijo:

—¡Son ustedes unos traidores! Tráiganme hasta aquí rodando una piedra grande. 34 Además, hablen con la gente y díganles que cada uno me traiga aquí su toro o su oveja, para que ustedes los degüellen y coman, y no pequen contra el Señor comiendo carne con sangre.

Esa misma noche, cada uno llevó personalmente su toro, y lo degollaron allí. 35 Saúl, por su parte, construyó un altar al Señor, que fue el primero que le dedicó. 36 Después propuso Saúl:

—Bajemos esta noche a perseguir a los filisteos y hagamos un saqueo hasta el amanecer, sin dejar vivo a ninguno.

Todos respondieron:

—Haz lo que te parezca mejor.

Pero el sacerdote dijo:

—Antes que nada, consultemos a Dios.

37 Entonces Saúl consultó a Dios:

—¿Debo perseguir a los filisteos? ¿Los entregarás en manos de los israelitas?

Pero el Señor no le respondió ese día. 38 Por lo tanto Saúl dijo:

—Acérquense aquí todos los jefes del ejército, y averigüen quién ha cometido hoy este pecado. 39 ¡Juro por el Señor, el salvador de Israel, que aunque haya sido mi hijo Jonatán, tendrá que morir!

Nadie en el ejército respondió; 40 por eso Saúl dijo a todos los israelitas:

—Pónganse ustedes de este lado, y del otro nos pondremos mi hijo Jonatán y yo.

—Haz lo que te parezca mejor —contestó la tropa.

41 Entonces Saúl exclamó:

—Señor y Dios de Israel, ¿por qué no has respondido hoy a tu servidor? Si la culpa es mía, o de mi hijo Jonatán, al echar las suertes saldrá el Urim; pero si la culpa es de Israel, tu pueblo, al echar las suertes saldrá el Tumim.

La suerte cayó sobre Jonatán y Saúl, y el pueblo quedó libre de culpa. 42 Luego Saúl dijo:

—Echen suertes entre mi hijo Jonatán y yo.

Y la suerte cayó sobre Jonatán, 43 por lo cual dijo Saúl a Jonatán:

—Confiésame lo que has hecho.

Jonatán confesó:

—Realmente probé un poco de miel con la punta de la vara que llevaba en la mano. Pero aquí estoy, dispuesto a morir.

44 Saúl exclamó:

—¡Que Dios me castigue con toda dureza si no mueres, Jonatán!

45 Pero el pueblo respondió a Saúl:

—¡Cómo es posible que muera Jonatán, si ha dado una gran victoria a Israel! ¡Nada de eso! ¡Por vida del Señor, que no caerá al suelo ni un pelo de su cabeza! Porque lo que ha hecho hoy, lo ha hecho con la ayuda de Dios.

De este modo el pueblo libró a Jonatán de morir. 46 Saúl, a su vez, dejó de perseguir a los filisteos, los cuales regresaron a su territorio.

47 Así pues, Saúl tomó posesión del reino de Israel, y en todas partes combatió contra sus enemigos, que eran Moab, Amón, Edom, el rey de Sobá y los filisteos. Y dondequiera que iba, vencía. 48 Reunió un ejército y venció a Amalec, librando así a Israel de las bandas de salteadores.

49 Los hijos de Saúl fueron: Jonatán, Isví y Malquisúa. Sus dos hijas fueron: Merab, la mayor, y Mical, la menor. 50 La mujer de Saúl se llamaba Ahinóam, hija de Ahimaas. El general de su ejército se llamaba Abner, hijo de Ner, tío de Saúl. 51 Quis, padre de Saúl, y Ner, padre de Abner, eran hijos de Abiel.

52 La guerra contra los filisteos fue muy dura durante toda la vida de Saúl; por eso Saúl alistaba en su ejército a todo hombre fuerte y valiente.

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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
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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