Jonathan’s Victory over the Philistines 1 DBY Now it came to pass one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man that bore his armour, Come and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison which is on the other side. But he did not tell his father. BSB BSB: One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But Jonathan did not tell his father.
2 DBY And Saul abode at the extreme end of Gibeah under the pomegranate-tree which was in Migron; and the people that were with him were about six hundred men. BSB BSB: Meanwhile, Saul was staying under the pomegranate tree in Migron on the outskirts of Gibeah. And the troops who were with him numbered about six hundred men,
3 DBY (And Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, Jehovah's priest in Shiloh, wore the ephod.) And the people did not know that Jonathan was gone. BSB BSB: including Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli the priest of the LORD in Shiloh. But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left.
4 DBY Now between the passes by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines' garrison there was a sharp rock on the one side and a sharp rock on the other side; and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. BSB BSB: Now there were cliffs on both sides of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost. One was named Bozez and the other Seneh.
5 DBY The one crag formed a pillar on the north opposite to Michmash, and the other on the south opposite to Geba. BSB BSB: One cliff stood to the north toward Michmash, and the other to the south toward Geba.
6 DBY And Jonathan said to the young man that bore his armour, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised: perhaps Jehovah will work for us; for there is no restraint to Jehovah to save by many or by few. BSB BSB: Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”
7 DBY And his armour-bearer said to him, Do all that is in thy heart; turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart. BSB BSB: His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”
8 DBY Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over to the men, and we will shew ourselves to them. BSB BSB: “Very well,” said Jonathan, “we will cross over toward these men and show ourselves to them.
9 DBY If they say thus to us, Stand still until we come to you, then we will stay in our place, and will not go up to them. BSB BSB: If they say, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stay where we are and will not go up to them.
10 DBY And if they say thus, Come up to us, then we will go up; for Jehovah has given them into our hand; and this shall be the sign to us. BSB BSB: But if they say, ‘Come on up,’ then we will go up, because this will be our sign that the LORD has delivered them into our hands.”
11 DBY And both of them shewed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines; and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves. BSB BSB: So the two of them showed themselves to the outpost of the Philistines, who exclaimed, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes in which they were hiding!”
12 DBY And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armour-bearer and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you something. And Jonathan said to his armour-bearer, Come up after me; for Jehovah has delivered them into the hand of Israel. BSB BSB: So the men of the outpost called out to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come on up, and we will teach you a lesson!” “Follow me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.”
13 DBY And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armour-bearer after him; and they fell before Jonathan; and his armour-bearer slew after him. BSB BSB: So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. And the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off.
14 DBY And that first slaughter which Jonathan and his armour-bearer wrought was about twenty men, as it were on the half-furrow of an acre of land. BSB BSB: In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in about half an acre of land.
15 DBY And there was trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison, and the ravagers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked; for it was a trembling from God. BSB BSB: Then panic struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked, and panic spread from God.
16 DBY And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on slaying one another. BSB BSB: Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction,
17 DBY Then said Saul to the people that were with him, Muster now, and see who is gone from us. And they mustered, and behold, Jonathan and his armour-bearer were not there. BSB BSB: Saul said to the troops who were with him, “Call the roll and see who has left us.” And when they had called the roll, they saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there.
18 DBY And Saul said to Ahijah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel. BSB BSB: Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.)
19 DBY And it came to pass while Saul talked to the priest, that the noise which was in the camp of the Philistines went on and increased; and Saul said to the priest, Withdraw thy hand. BSB BSB: While Saul was talking to the priest, the commotion in the Philistine camp continued to increase. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”
20 DBY And Saul and all the people that were with him were called together, and they came to the battle; and behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, a very great confusion. BSB BSB: Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor.
21 DBY And there were Hebrews with the Philistines before that time, who had gone up with them into the camp round about; and they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. BSB BSB: And the Hebrews who had previously gone up into the surrounding camps to join the Philistines now went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
22 DBY And all the men of Israel who had hid themselves in mount Ephraim heard that the Philistines fled, and they also followed hard after them in the battle. BSB BSB: When all the Israelites who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined the battle in close pursuit.
23 DBY And Jehovah saved Israel that day; and the battle passed over beyond Beth-Aven. BSB BSB: So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle moved on beyond Beth-aven.
Jonathan Eats the Honey 24 DBY But the men of Israel were distressed that day. Now Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth food until evening, and until I am avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted food. BSB BSB: Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food.
25 DBY And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey on the ground. BSB BSB: Then all the troops entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground.
26 DBY And the people had come into the wood, and behold, the honey flowed; but no man put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath. BSB BSB: And when they entered the forest and saw the flowing honey, not one of them put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath.
27 DBY But Jonathan had not heard when his father adjured the people; and he put forth the end of his staff which was in his hand, and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes became bright. BSB BSB: Jonathan, however, had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath. So he reached out the end of the staff in his hand, dipped it into the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.
28 DBY Then answered one of the people and said, Thy father strictly adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth food this day; and the people are faint. BSB BSB: Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the troops with a solemn oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food today.’ That is why the people are faint.”
29 DBY And Jonathan said, My father has troubled the land: see, I pray you, that mine eyes are bright, because I tasted a little of this honey. BSB BSB: “My father has brought trouble to the land,” Jonathan replied. “Just look at how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.
30 DBY How much more, if the people had eaten freely to-day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for would there not now have been a much greater slaughter among the Philistines? BSB BSB: How much better it would have been if the troops had eaten freely today from the plunder they took from their enemies! Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been much greater?”
31 DBY And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Ajalon; and the people were very faint. BSB BSB: That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, the people were very faint.
32 DBY And the people fell on the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slaughtered them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood. BSB BSB: So they rushed greedily to the plunder, taking sheep, cattle, and calves. They slaughtered them on the ground and ate meat with the blood still in it.
33 DBY And they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against Jehovah, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have acted perversely: roll me now a great stone. BSB BSB: Then someone reported to Saul: “Look, the troops are sinning against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.” “You have broken faith,” said Saul. “Roll a large stone over here at once.”
34 DBY And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them, Bring near to me every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slaughter them here, and eat; and sin not against Jehovah in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slaughtered them there. BSB BSB: Then he said, “Go among the troops and tell them, ‘Each man must bring me his ox or his sheep, slaughter them in this place, and then eat. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.’” So that night everyone brought his ox and slaughtered it there.
35 DBY And Saul built an altar to Jehovah: this was the first altar he built to Jehovah. BSB BSB: Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar to the LORD.
36 DBY And 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 whatsoever is good in thy sight. Then said the priest, Let us come near hither to God. BSB BSB: And Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until dawn, leaving no man alive!” “Do what seems good to you,” the troops replied. But the priest said, “We must consult God here.”
The People Save Jonathan 37 DBY And Saul inquired of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou give them into the hand of Israel? But he did not answer him that day. BSB BSB: So Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You give them into the hand of Israel?” But God did not answer him that day.
38 DBY And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the heads of the people; and know and see wherein this sin has been this day. BSB BSB: Therefore Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the troops, and let us investigate how this sin has occurred today.
39 DBY For, as Jehovah liveth, who has saved Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall certainly die. And no one answered him among all the people. BSB BSB: As surely as the LORD who saves Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan, he must die!” But not one of the troops said a word.
40 DBY Then said he to all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said to Saul, Do what is good in thy sight. BSB BSB: Then Saul said to all Israel, “You stand on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will stand on the other side.” “Do what seems good to you,” the troops replied.
41 DBY And Saul said to Jehovah the God of Israel, Give a perfect testimony ! And Jonathan and Saul were taken, and the people escaped. BSB BSB: So Saul said to the LORD, the God of Israel, “Why have You not answered Your servant this day? If the fault is with me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim, but if the fault is with the men of Israel, respond with Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were selected, but the people were cleared of the charge.
42 DBY And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken. BSB BSB: Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was selected.
43 DBY And Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him and said, With the end of the staff which is in my hand I tasted a little honey, and behold, I must die! BSB BSB: “Tell me what you have done,” Saul commanded him. So Jonathan told him, “I only tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. And now I must die?”
44 DBY And Saul said, God do so to me and more also; thou shalt certainly die, Jonathan. BSB BSB: And Saul declared, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if you, Jonathan, do not surely die!”
45 DBY And the people said to Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who has wrought this great salvation in Israel? Far be it! as Jehovah liveth, there shall not a hair of his head fall to the ground; for he has wrought with God this day. So the people delivered Jonathan, that he died not. BSB BSB: But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die—he who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? Never! As surely as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for with God’s help he has accomplished this today.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.
46 DBY And Saul went up from following the Philistines; and the Philistines went to their own place. BSB BSB: Then Saul gave up his pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own land.
Saul’s Victories 47 DBY And Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies round about, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines; and whithersoever he turned himself, he discomfited them . BSB BSB: After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them.
48 DBY And he did valiantly, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of their spoilers. BSB BSB: He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers.
49 DBY And the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Jishvi, and Malchi-shua. And the names of his two daughters: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal. BSB BSB: Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. His two daughters were named Merab (his firstborn) and Michal (his younger daughter).
50 DBY And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz; and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. BSB BSB: His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner, the son of Saul’s uncle Ner.
51 DBY And Kish the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner were sons of Abiel. BSB BSB: Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.
52 DBY And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul; and when Saul saw any mighty man, or any valiant man, he took him to himself. BSB BSB: And the war with the Philistines was fierce for all the days of Saul. So whenever he noticed any strong or brave man, Saul would enlist him.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.