Jonathan’s Victory over the Philistines 1 ULT And it happened one day that Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the young man, the carrier of his equipment,“Come, and let us cross over to the garrison of the Philistines that{ is} across from here.” But he did not declare{ this} to 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 ULT Now Saul was staying at the edge of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree that{ is} in Migron. And the people who{ were} with him{ were} about 600 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 ULT and Ahijah, the son of Ahitub, the brother of Ichabod, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of Yahweh at Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people did not know that Jonathan had 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 ULT Now within the passes that Jonathan sought to pass through to the garrison of the Philistines{ were} the tooth of a rock on the side from that and the tooth of a rock on the side from this. And the name of the one{ was} Bozez, and the name of the{ other} one{ was} 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 ULT The tooth of the one{ was} a pillar from the north before Michmash, and the{ other} one{ was} from the south before Geba. BSB BSB: One cliff stood to the north toward Michmash, and the other to the south toward Geba.
6 ULT And Jonathan said to the young man, the carrier of his equipment,“Come, and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised! Perhaps Yahweh will act for us, for{ there is} no hindrance to Yahweh 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 ULT And the carrier of his equipment said to him,“Do all that{ is} in your heart. Turn yourself; behold me, with you according to your heart.” BSB BSB: His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”
8 ULT And Jonathan said,“Behold, we will be crossing over to the men, and we will reveal ourselves to them. BSB BSB: “Very well,” said Jonathan, “we will cross over toward these men and show ourselves to them.
9 ULT If thus they say to us,‘Wait until we reach you,’ then we will stand under us, and we 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 ULT But if thus they say,‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up, for Yahweh has given them into our hand, and this{ will be} the sign for 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 ULT And the two of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said,“Behold, Hebrews are coming out from the holes where they have hidden themselves there.” 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 ULT And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and the carrier of his equipment and said,“Come up to us, and let us make you know a thing.” And Jonathan said to the carrier of his equipment,“Come up after me, for Yahweh has given 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 ULT And Jonathan went up on his hands and on his feet, and the carrier of his equipment{ was} behind him. And they fell to the face of Jonathan, and the carrier of his equipment was killing behind 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 ULT And the first striking that Jonathan and the carrier of his equipment struck was about 20 men{ in} about half of a furrow{ of} a yoke of a field. BSB BSB: In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in about half an acre of land.
15 ULT And{ there} was trembling in the camp in the field and among all of the people. The garrison and the destroyer, even they trembled. And the earth quaked, and it became a trembling of 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 ULT And the watchmen{ who were} to Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude was being melted and went, even here. BSB BSB: Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction,
17 ULT And Saul said to the people who{ were} with him,“Muster, please, and see who has gone from with us.” And they mustered, and behold,{ there was} no Jonathan or the carrier of his equipment. 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 ULT And Saul said to Ahijah,“Bring near the Box of God.” For the Box of God was with the sons of Israel on that day. BSB BSB: Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.)
19 ULT And it happened, while Saul spoke to the priest, that the tumult that{ was} in the camp of the Philistines, that going, it went and became great. And Saul said to the priest,“Withdraw your 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 ULT And Saul and all of the people who{ were} with him were called together, and they came to the battle. And behold, the sword of a man was against his fellow, a very great tumult. 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 ULT Now some Hebrews were to the Philistines according to yesterday and the third day who had gone up with them into the camp all around. But even they{ became} to be with Israel who{ was} 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 ULT And all of the men of Israel having hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines had fled, and they pursued after them, they too, 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 ULT And Yahweh saved Israel on that day. And the battle passed over Beth Aven. BSB BSB: So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle moved on beyond Beth-aven.
Jonathan Eats the Honey 24 ULT But the men of Israel were distressed on that day, for Saul had adjured the people, saying,“Cursed{ is} the man who eats bread until the evening and I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So all of the people had not tasted bread. 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 ULT And the whole land came into a forest, and honey was on the face of the ground. BSB BSB: Then all the troops entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground.
26 ULT And the people came into the forest, and behold, the flowing of honey! But no one was reaching 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 ULT But Jonathan had not heard when his father adjured the people. So he extended the end of the staff that{ was} in his hand, and he dipped it into a comb of honey. And he returned his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened. 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 ULT And a man from the people answered and said,“Adjuring, your father adjured the people, saying,‘Cursed{ is} the man who eats bread today.’ So 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 ULT And Jonathan said,“My father has troubled the land. See, please, that my eyes have brightened because I have 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 ULT How much more that if eating, the people had eaten today from the plunder of their enemies that they found! For now the striking against the Philistines has not been great.” 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 ULT And on that day they struck the Philistines from Michmash{ to} Aijalon. But 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 ULT And the people swooped down upon the plunder, and they took flock and herd and sons of the herd, and they slaughtered{ them} on the ground. And the people ate 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 ULT Then they declared to Saul, saying,“Behold, the people are sinning against Yahweh by eating with the blood!” And he said,“You have acted unfaithfully. Roll a great stone to me today.” 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 ULT And Saul said,“Disperse among the people and say to them,‘Bring to me, a man his ox and a man his sheep, and slaughter{ them} here and eat. But you shall not sin against Yahweh by eating with the blood.’” And all of the people brought, a man his ox by his hand that night, and they 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 ULT And Saul built an altar to Yahweh. He began to build it, an altar to Yahweh. BSB BSB: Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar to the LORD.
36 ULT And Saul said,“Let us go down after the Philistines{ by} night, and let us plunder them until the light of morning. And let us not leave a man among them.” And they said,“Do all of the good in your eyes.” But the priest said,“Let us draw near to God here.” 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 ULT And Saul inquired of God,“Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?” But he did not answer him on 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 ULT Then Saul said,“Come near here, all of the cornerstones of the people! And know and see by what this sin has happened today. BSB BSB: Therefore Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the troops, and let us investigate how this sin has occurred today.
39 ULT For, the life of Yahweh, the one having saved Israel, that{ even} if it is by Jonathan my son, that dying, he shall die.” But{ there was} no one answering him from all of 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 ULT So he said to all of Israel,“You will be to one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be to one side.” And the people said to Saul,“Do the good in your eyes.” 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 ULT Then Saul said to Yahweh, the God of Israel,“Give a perfect{ one}!” And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people went out. 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 ULT And Saul said,“Cause it to fall between me and between 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 ULT And Saul said to Jonathan,“Declare to me what you have done.” And Jonathan declared to him and said,“Tasting, I tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that{ was} in my hand. Behold me, I shall 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 ULT And Saul said,“May God do thus, and may he add thus, for dying, you shall die, Jonathan.” BSB BSB: And Saul declared, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if you, Jonathan, do not surely die!”
45 ULT But the people said to Saul,“Shall Jonathan die, who has done this great salvation in Israel? Profane! The life of Yahweh, if from the hair of his head should fall to the ground! For he has done with God this day.” So the people redeemed Jonathan, and he did not die. 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 ULT Then Saul went up from after the Philistines. And the Philistines went to their place. BSB BSB: Then Saul gave up his pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own land.
Saul’s Victories 47 ULT Now Saul had taken the kingship over Israel. And he fought with all of his enemies all around, with Moab and with the sons of Ammon and with Edom and with the kings of Zobah and with the Philistines. And upon all where he turned, he inflicted punishment. 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 ULT And he did valor, and he struck Amalek. And he delivered Israel from the hand of its plunderers. BSB BSB: He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers.
49 ULT Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan and Ishvi and Malchi- Shua. And the names of the two of his daughters{ were}: 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 ULT And the name of the wife of Saul{ was} Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the commander of his army{ was} Abner, the son of Ner, the uncle of Saul. 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 ULT Now Kish the father of Saul and Ner the father of Abner{ were} the son of Abiel. BSB BSB: Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.
52 ULT And the battle was strong against the Philistines all of the days of Saul. When Saul saw any man, a warrior, or any son of valor, then he gathered 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.