| Berean Study Bible | NET 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. | 1Then one day Jonathan son of Saul said to his armor bearer, "Come on, let's go over to the Philistine garrison that is opposite us." But he did not let his father know. |
| 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, | 2Now Saul was sitting under a pomegranate tree in Migron, on the outskirts of Gibeah. The army that was with him numbered about six hundred men. |
| 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. | 3Now Ahijah was carrying an ephod. He was the son of Ahitub, who was the brother of Ichabod and a son of Phineas, son of Eli, the priest of the LORD in Shiloh. The army was unaware 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. | 4Now there was a steep cliff on each side of the pass through which Jonathan intended to go to reach the Philistine garrison. One cliff was named Bozez, the other Seneh. |
| 5One cliff stood to the north toward Michmash, and the other to the south toward Geba. | 5The cliff to the north was closer to Micmash, the one to the south closer to 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 his armor bearer, "Come on, let's go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will intervene for us. Nothing can prevent the LORD from delivering, whether by many or by a few." |
| 7His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” | 7His armor bearer said to him, "Do everything that is on your mind. Do as you're inclined. I'm with you all the way!" |
| 8“Very well,” said Jonathan, “we will cross over toward these men and show ourselves to them. | 8Jonathan replied, "All right! We'll go over to these men and fight them. |
| 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 to us, 'Stay put until we approach you,' we will stay right there 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 up against us,' we will go up. For in that case the LORD has given them into our hand--it will be a sign to us." |
| 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!” | 11When they made themselves known to the Philistine garrison, the Philistines said, "Look! The Hebrews are coming out of the holes in which they hid themselves." |
| 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.” | 12Then the men of the garrison said to Jonathan and his armor bearer, "Come on up to us so we can teach you a thing or two!" Then Jonathan said to his armor bearer, "Come up behind me, for the LORD has given them into the hand of 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 crawled up on his hands and feet, with his armor bearer following behind him. Jonathan struck down the Philistines, while his armor bearer came along behind him and killed them. |
| 14In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men over half an acre of land. | 14In this initial skirmish Jonathan and his armor bearer struck down about twenty men in an area that measured half an acre. |
| 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. | 15Then fear overwhelmed those who were in the camp, those who were in the field, all the army in the garrison, and the raiding bands. They trembled and the ground shook. This fear was caused by God. |
| 16Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction, | 16Saul's watchmen at Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin looked on as the crowd of soldiers seemed to melt away first in one direction and then in another. |
| 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 army that was with him, "Muster the troops and see who is no longer with us." When they mustered the troops, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there. |
| 18Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.) | 18So Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring near the ephod," for he was at that time wearing the ephod. |
| 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 Philistines' camp was becoming greater and greater. So Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand!" |
| 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 army that was with him assembled and marched into battle, where they found the Philistines in total panic killing one another with their swords. |
| 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. | 21The Hebrews who had earlier gone over to the Philistine side 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 Israelites who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines had fled, they too pursued them in battle. |
| 23So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle moved on beyond Beth-aven. | 23So the LORD delivered Israel that day, and the battle shifted over to 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. | 24Now the men of Israel were hard pressed that day, for Saul had made the army agree to this oath: "Cursed be the man who eats food before evening! I will get my vengeance on my enemies!" So no one in the army ate anything. |
| 25Then all the troops entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground. | 25Now the whole army entered 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 army entered the forest, they saw the honey flowing, but no one ate any of it, for the army was afraid of 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. | 27But Jonathan had not heard about the oath his father had made the army take. He extended the end of his staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb. When he ate it, his eyes gleamed. |
| 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 someone from the army informed him, "Your father put the army under a strict oath saying, 'Cursed be the man who eats food today!' That is why the army is tired." |
| 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. | 29Then Jonathan said, "My father has caused trouble for the land. See how my eyes gleamed when I tasted just a little of this 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?” | 30Certainly if the army had eaten some of the enemies' provisions that they came across today, would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?" |
| 31That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, the people were very faint. | 31On that day the army struck down the Philistines from Micmash to Aijalon, and they became very tired. |
| 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. | 32So the army rushed greedily on the plunder, confiscating sheep, cattle, and calves. They slaughtered them right on the ground, and the army ate them blood and all. |
| 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.” | 33Now it was reported to Saul, "Look, the army is sinning against the LORD by eating even the blood." He said, "All of you have broken the covenant! Roll a large stone over here to me." |
| 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. | 34Then Saul said, "Scatter out among the army and say to them, 'Each of you bring to me your ox and sheep and slaughter them in this spot and eat. But don't sin against the LORD by eating the blood." So that night each one brought his ox 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 for the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar for 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 at night; we will rout them until the break of day. We won't leave any of them alive!" They replied, "Do whatever seems best to you." But the priest said, "Let's approach 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 asked God, "Should I go down after the Philistines? Will you deliver them into the hand of Israel?" But he 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. | 38Then Saul said, "All you leaders of the army come here. Find out how this sin 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. | 39For as surely as the LORD, the deliverer of Israel, lives, even if it turns out to be my own son Jonathan, he will certainly die!" But no one from the army said anything. |
| 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. | 40Then he said to all Israel, "You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side." The army replied to Saul, "Do whatever you think is best." |
| 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. | 41Then Saul said, "O LORD God of Israel! If this sin has been committed by me or by my son Jonathan, then, O LORD God of Israel, respond with Urim. But if this sin has been committed by your people Israel, respond with Thummim." Then Jonathan and Saul were indicated by lot, while the army was exonerated. |
| 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!" Jonathan was indicated by lot. |
| 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?” | 43So Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." Jonathan told him, "I used the end of the staff that was in my hand to taste a little honey. I must die!" |
| 44And Saul declared, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if you, Jonathan, do not surely die!” | 44Saul said, "God will punish me severely if Jonathan doesn't die!" |
| 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 army said to Saul, "Should Jonathan, who won this great victory in Israel, die? May it never be! As surely as the LORD lives, not a single hair of his head will fall to the ground! For it is with the help of God that he has acted today." So the army rescued Jonathan from death. |
| 46Then Saul gave up his pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own land. | 46Then Saul stopped chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines went back home. |
| 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. | 47After Saul had secured his royal position over Israel, he fought against all their enemies on all sides--the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. In every direction that he turned he was victorious. |
| 48He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers. | 48He fought bravely, striking down the Amalekites and delivering Israel from the hand of its enemies. |
| 49Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. His two daughters were named Merab (his firstborn) and Michal (his younger daughter). | 49The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malki-Shua. He had two daughters; the older one was named Merab and the younger Michal. |
| 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, the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the general in command of his army was Abner son of Ner, Saul's uncle. |
| 51Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel. | 51Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the 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. | 52There was fierce war with the Philistines all the days of Saul. So whenever Saul saw anyone who was a warrior or a brave individual, he would conscript him. |
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