| Berean Study Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1One 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. | 1That same day Saul's son Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, "Come on, let's cross over to the Philistine garrison on the other side." However, he did not tell his father. |
| 2Meanwhile, 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, | 2Saul was staying under the pomegranate tree in Migron on the outskirts of Gibeah. The troops with him numbered about 600. |
| 3including 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. | 3Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod, was also there. He was the son of Ahitub, the brother of Ichabod son of Phinehas, son of Eli the LORD's priest at Shiloh. But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left. |
| 4Now 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. | 4There were sharp columns of rock on both sides of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine garrison. One was named Bozez and the other Seneh; |
| 5One cliff stood to the north toward Michmash, and the other to the south toward Geba. | 5one stood to the north in front of Michmash and the other to the south in front of Geba. |
| 6Jonathan 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.” | 6Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, "Come on, let's cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will help us. Nothing can keep the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few." |
| 7His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” | 7His armor-bearer responded, "Do what is in your heart. You choose. I'm right here with you whatever you decide." |
| 8“Very well,” said Jonathan, “we will cross over toward these men and show ourselves to them. | 8"All right," Jonathan replied, "we'll cross over to the men and then let them see us. |
| 9If they say, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stay where we are and will not go up to them. | 9If they say, 'Wait until we reach you,' then we will stay where we are and not go up to them. |
| 10But 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.” | 10But if they say, 'Come on up,' then we'll go up, because the LORD has handed them over to us--that will be our sign." |
| 11So 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!” | 11They let themselves be seen by the Philistine garrison, and the Philistines said, "Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they've been hiding!" |
| 12So 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.” | 12The men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armor-bearer. "Come on up, and we'll teach you a lesson!" they said. "Follow me," Jonathan told his armor-bearer, "for the LORD has handed them over to Israel." |
| 13So 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. | 13Jonathan climbed up using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. Jonathan cut them down, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off. |
| 14In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men over half an acre of land. | 14In that first assault Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about 20 men in a half-acre field. |
| 15Then terror 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. | 15Terror spread through the Philistine camp and the open fields to all the troops. Even the garrison and the raiding parties were terrified. The earth shook, and terror spread from God. |
| 16Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction, | 16When Saul's watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, they saw the panicking troops scattering in every direction. |
| 17Saul 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. | 17So Saul said to the troops with him, "Call the roll and determine who has left us." They called the roll and saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were gone. |
| 18Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.) | 18Saul told Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God," for it was with the Israelites at that time. |
| 19While Saul was talking to the priest, the commotion in the Philistine camp continued to increase. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” | 19While Saul spoke to the priest, the panic in the Philistine camp increased in intensity. So Saul said to the priest, "Stop what you're doing." |
| 20Then 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. | 20Saul and all the troops with him assembled and marched to the battle, and there, the Philistines were fighting against each other in great confusion! |
| 21And the Hebrews who had previously gone up into the surrounding camps of the Philistines now went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. | 21There were Hebrews from the area who had gone earlier into the camp to join the Philistines, but even they joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. |
| 22When all the Israelites who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined Saul and Jonathan in the battle. | 22When all the Israelite men who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined Saul and Jonathan in the battle. |
| 23So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle moved on beyond Beth-aven. | 23So the LORD saved Israel that day. The battle extended beyond Beth-aven, |
| 24Now 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. | 24and the men of Israel were worn out that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath: "The man who eats food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies is cursed." So none of the troops tasted any food. |
| 25Then all the troops entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground. | 25Everyone went into the forest, and there was honey on the ground. |
| 26And 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. | 26When the troops entered the forest, they saw the flow of honey, but none of them ate any of it because they feared the oath. |
| 27Jonathan, however, had not heard that his father had charged 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. | 27However, Jonathan had not heard his father make the troops swear the oath. He reached out with the end of the staff he was carrying and dipped it into the honeycomb. When he ate the honey, he had renewed energy. |
| 28Then 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.” | 28Then, one of the troops said, "Your father made the troops solemnly swear, 'The man who eats food today is cursed,' and the troops are exhausted." |
| 29“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. | 29Jonathan replied, "My father has brought trouble to the land. Just look at how I have renewed energy because I tasted a little honey. |
| 30How 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?” | 30How much better if the troops had eaten freely today from the plunder they took from their enemies! Then the slaughter of the Philistines would have been much greater." |
| 31That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, the people were very faint. | 31The Israelites struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash all the way to Aijalon. Since the Israelites were completely exhausted, |
| 32So 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. | 32they rushed to the plunder, took sheep, cattle, and calves, slaughtered them on the ground, and ate meat with the blood still in it. |
| 33Then 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.” | 33Some reported to Saul: "Look, the troops are sinning against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it." Saul said, "You have been unfaithful. Roll a large stone over here at once." |
| 34Then 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. | 34He then said, "Go among the troops and say to them, 'Each man must bring me his ox or his sheep. Do the slaughtering here and then you can eat. Don't sin against the LORD by eating meat with the blood in it.'" So every one of the troops brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there. |
| 35Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar to the LORD. | 35Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar to the LORD. |
| 36And 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.” | 36Saul said, "Let's go down after the Philistines tonight and plunder them until morning. Don't let even one remain!" "Do whatever you want," the troops replied. But the priest said, "We must consult God here." |
| 37So 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. | 37So Saul inquired of God, "Should I go after the Philistines? Will You hand them over to Israel?" But God did not answer him that day. |
| 38Therefore Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the troops, and let us investigate how this sin has occurred today. | 38Saul said, "All you leaders of the troops, come here. Let us investigate how this sin has occurred today. |
| 39As 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. | 39As surely as the LORD lives who saves Israel, even if it is because of my son Jonathan, he must die!" Not one of the troops answered him. |
| 40Then 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. | 40So he said to all Israel, "You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side." And the troops replied, "Do whatever you want." |
| 41So 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. | 41So Saul said to the LORD, "God of Israel, give us the right decision." Jonathan and Saul were selected, and the troops were cleared of the charge. |
| 42Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was selected. | 42Then Saul said, "Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan," and Jonathan was selected. |
| 43“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?” | 43Saul commanded him, "Tell me what you did." Jonathan told him, "I tasted a little honey with the end of the staff I was carrying. I am ready to die!" |
| 44And Saul declared, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if you, Jonathan, do not surely die!” | 44Saul declared to him, "May God punish me and do so severely if you do not die, Jonathan!" |
| 45But 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. | 45But the people said to Saul, "Must Jonathan die, who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? No, as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he worked with God's help today." So the people redeemed Jonathan, and he did not die. |
| 46Then Saul gave up his pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own land. | 46Then Saul gave up the pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own territory. |
| 47After 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. | 47When Saul assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies in every direction: against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he caused havoc. |
| 48He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers. | 48He fought bravely, defeated the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hand of those who plundered them. |
| 49Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. His two daughters were named Merab (his firstborn) and Michal (his younger daughter). | 49Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. The names of his two daughters were: Merab, his firstborn, and Michal, the younger. |
| 50His 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. | 50The name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner son of Saul's uncle Ner. |
| 51Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel. | 51Saul's father was Kish. Abner's father was Ner son of Abiel. |
| 52And 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. | 52The conflict with the Philistines was fierce all of Saul's days, so whenever Saul noticed any strong or brave man, he enlisted him. |
|
