1 Samuel 14:24-46
Modern English Version
Saul’s Rash Oath
24 Now Israel’s fighting men were distressed that day. For Saul had placed the people under a curse, saying, “Cursed is the man that eats any food before it is evening, and I have been avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted any food.
25 All the people of the land came to the forest, and there was honey on the ground. 26 When the people came into the forest there was flowing honey. But no man put his hand to his mouth, because the people feared the oath. 27 But Jonathan had not heard when his father made the people swear. Therefore he put forward the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in the honeycomb. Then he put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes were brightened. 28 Then one of the people answered, and said, “Your father surely made the people swear, saying, ‘Cursed is the man that eats any food this day.’ ” And the people were weary.
29 Then said Jonathan, “My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have brightened, because I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much more, if the people had surely eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found? But now the defeat of the Philistines has not been great.”
31 And they struck the Philistines that day from Mikmash to Aijalon, and the people were very weary. 32 The people rushed upon the spoil; they took sheep, oxen, and calves and slew them on the ground. And the people ate them with the blood. 33 Then they reported to Saul, saying, “Look, the people are sinning against the Lord by eating the blood.”
And he said, “You have dealt faithlessly. Roll a great stone to me this day.” 34 Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them, ‘Bring to me here every man his ox or sheep. And slaughter them here, and eat. But you shall not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.’ ”
And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there. 35 And Saul built an altar to the Lord. It was the first altar that he built to the Lord.
36 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 here to God.”
37 Saul asked of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You deliver them into the hand of Israel?” But He did not answer him that day.
38 Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the people, and observe and see how this sin has come about this day. 39 For, as the Lord lives, who saves Israel, even if it is in Jonathan my son, he will surely die.” But there was not one who answered him from among all the people.
40 Then he said to all Israel, “You will 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 to you.”
41 Therefore Saul said to the Lord, the God of Israel, “Give a perfect lot.” And Saul and Jonathan were taken, but the people escaped. 42 Saul said, “Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son.” And Jonathan was taken.
43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.”
And Jonathan told him, and said, “I indeed tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am. I must die.”
44 Saul said, “May God do so to me and more also, for you will surely die, Jonathan.”
45 The people said to Saul, “Will Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? God forbid. As the Lord lives, there will not one hair of his head fall to the ground. For he has worked with God this day.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.
46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.
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1 Samuel 14:24-46
21st Century King James Version
24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had adjured the people, saying, “Cursed be the man who eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies.” So none of the people tasted any food.
25 And all they of the land came to a woods, and there was honey upon the ground.
26 And when the people had come into the woods, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.
27 But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath. Therefore he put forth 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 eyes were enlightened.
28 Then answered one of the people and said, “Thy father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eateth any food this day.’” And the people were faint.
29 Then said Jonathan, “My father hath troubled the land. See, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened because I tasted a little of this honey.
30 How much more, if perhaps the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found? For would there not have been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?”
31 And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon; and the people were very faint.
32 And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep and oxen and calves, and slew them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood.
33 Then they told Saul, saying, “Behold, the people sin against the Lord in that they eat with the blood.” And he said, “Ye have transgressed! Roll a great stone unto me this day.”
34 And Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people and say unto them, ‘Bring me hither 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 all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.
35 And Saul built an altar unto the Lord; the same was the first altar that he built unto the Lord.
36 And Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and despoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them.” And they said, “Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee.” Then said the priest, “Let us draw near hither unto God.”
37 And Saul asked counsel of God: “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Wilt Thou deliver them into the hand of Israel?” But He answered him not that day.
38 And Saul said, “Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people, and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.
39 For, as the Lord liveth who saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But there was not a man among all the people who answered him.
40 Then said he 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 seemeth good unto thee.”
41 Therefore Saul said unto the Lord God of Israel, “Give a perfect lot.” And Saul and Jonathan 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, “Tell me what thou hast done.” And Jonathan told him and said, “I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and lo, I must die.”
44 And Saul answered, “God do so and more also; for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.”
45 And the people said unto Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in 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 rescued Jonathan, that he died not.
46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.
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