1 GLT And it happened one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to his servant who carried his equipment,“Come, and let us cross over to the garrison of the Philistines that is on the other side from here.” 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 GLT Now Saul was staying at the end of the 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 GLT and Ahijah the son of Ahitub the brother of Ichabod the son of Phinehas the son of Eli, the priest of Yahweh at Shiloh who was carrying 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 GLT Now between the passes that Jonathan sought to pass over to the garrison of the Philistines was the tooth of the cliff on one side from this and the tooth of the cliff on the other side from this. And the name of one was Bozez and the name of 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 GLT The tooth of the one was a pillar from the north in front of Michmash. And the one from the south was in front of Geba. BSB BSB: One cliff stood to the north toward Michmash, and the other to the south toward Geba.
6 GLT And Jonathan said to his servant who carried his equipment,“Come, and let us pass over to the garrison of these uncircumcised ones! Perhaps Yahweh will act for us, for there is no hindrance for 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 GLT And the one who carried his equipment said to him,“Do all that is in your heart. Turn for yourself; behold, I am 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 GLT And Jonathan said,“Behold, we will cross 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 GLT If thus they say to us,‘Be still until we reach you,’ then we will stand under ourselves and 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 GLT 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 GLT 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 there where they have hidden 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 GLT And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and the one who carried his equipment, and said,“Come up to us, and we will cause you to know a thing.” And Jonathan said to the one who carried his equipment,“Go up behind 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 GLT And Jonathan went up on his hands and on his feet, and the one who carried his equipment was behind him. And they fell before the face of Jonathan, and the one who carried his equipment was putting to death 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 GLT And the first blow that Jonathan and the one who carried his equipment struck was about 20 men in about half of a furrow, 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 GLT And a trembling was in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and the destroyers, 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 GLT And the lookouts of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the crowd melted away 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 GLT And Saul said to the people who were with him,“Muster now and see who has gone from with us.” And they mustered, and behold, there was no Jonathan or the one who carried 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 GLT And Saul said to Ahijah,“Bring near the Box of God.” For on that day the Box of God was with the sons of Israel. BSB BSB: Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.)
19 GLT And it happened while Saul spoke to the priest, that the tumult that was in the camp of the Philistines was going continually and increasingly. 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 GLT And Saul and all the people who were with him were called together and came to the battle. And behold, the sword of a man was against his companion, 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 GLT Now some Hebrews were for the Philistines according to yesterday and three days ago, who had gone up with them into the camp all around. But even they were to be with Israel, 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 GLT And all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines fled, and they also pursued 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 GLT 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.
24 GLT And the men of Israel were hard- pressed on that day. And Saul had made the people swear, saying,“Cursed is the man who eats food until the evening and I take vengeance from my enemies.” So all the people had not 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 GLT And all the land entered into the forest. And honey was on the face of the field. BSB BSB: Then all the troops entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground.
26 GLT And the people entered into the forest, and behold, the flowing of honey! But no one reached 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 GLT But Jonathan had not heard when his father had made the people swear. And he extended the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb of the honey. And he returned 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 GLT And a man from the people answered and said,“Your father surely made the people swear, saying,‘Cursed is the man who eats food 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 GLT And Jonathan said,“My father has troubled the land. See now that my eyes have become 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 GLT How much more if the people had eaten freely today from the plunder of their enemies that they found? For now the blow has not been great 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 GLT And on that day they struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon. 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 GLT And the people rushed with shouting on the plunder and took sheep and cattle and sons of cattle, and they slaughtered 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 GLT Then they told Saul, saying,“Behold, the people are sinning against Yahweh by eating with the blood!” And he said,“You have acted deceptively. Roll a big 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 GLT And Saul said,“Disperse among the people and say to them,‘Bring near to me, a man his ox and a man his sheep, and slaughter here and eat. And you shall not sin against Yahweh by eating with the blood.’” And all the people brought near, a man his ox by his hand that night and they slaughtered 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 GLT And Saul built an altar to Yahweh, it he began to build 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 GLT And Saul said,“Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until the light of morning. And let us not leave a man among them.” And they said,“Do all the good in your eyes.” And 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.”
37 GLT And Saul asked of God,“Should 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 GLT And Saul said,“Come near here, all the corners 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 GLT For, as Yahweh is alive, the one who saves Israel, even if it is by Jonathan my son, indeed he will surely die.” But there was no one answering him from 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 GLT And he said to all Israel,“You will be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on 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 GLT And 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 GLT And Saul said,“Cause it to fall 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 GLT And Saul said to Jonathan,“Tell me what you have done.” And Jonathan told him and said,“Indeed I tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am; I will 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 GLT And Saul said,“May God do so and may he add so, for you shall surely die, Jonathan.” BSB BSB: And Saul declared, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if you, Jonathan, do not surely die!”
45 GLT And the people said to Saul,“Should Jonathan die, who has made this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As Yahweh is alive, a hair of his head will not fall to the ground! For he has worked with God this day.” And the people ransomed 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 GLT And 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.
47 GLT Now Saul had taken the kingship over Israel. And he fought against all his enemies all around: against Moab and against the sons of Ammon and against Edom and against the kings of Zobah and against the Philistines. And he inflicted punishment against everywhere he turned. 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 GLT And he acted strongly and struck down the Amalekites. And he rescued Israel from the hand of those who plundered it. BSB BSB: He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers.
49 GLT Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan and Ishvi and Malki- Shua. As for the names of the two of his daughters: the name of the firstborn was Merab and the name of the younger was 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 GLT 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 GLT And Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. BSB BSB: Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.
52 GLT And the battle was strong against the Philistines all the days of Saul. When Saul saw any man of might, or any son of strength, 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.