1 Samuel 14

1 Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the young man that bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of the Philistines, that [is] on the other side. But he told not his father.

One day, Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor bearer, “Come, let us go over to the Philistines' garrison on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.

2 And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which [is] in Migron: and the people that [were] with him [were] about six hundred men;

Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree that is in Migron. About six hundred men were with him,

3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, I-chabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.

including Ahijah son of Ahitub (Ichabod's brother) son of Phinehas son of Eli, the priest of Yahweh at Shiloh, who wore an ephod. The people did not know that Jonathan was gone.

4 And between the passages by which Jonathan sought to go over to the garrison of the Philistines, [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.

On each side of the pass through which Jonathan wanted to go in order to get to the Philistines' garrison, there was a rocky cliff on one side and another rocky cliff on the other side. One rocky cliff was called Bozez and the other rocky cliff was called Seneh.

5 The front of the one [was] situated northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.

One rocky cliff stood on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.

6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for [there is] no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

Jonathan said to his young armor bearer, “Come, let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised fellows. It may be that Yahweh will work on our behalf, for nothing can stop Yahweh from saving by many or by few people.”

7 And his armor-bearer said to him, Do all that [is] in thy heart: turn thee; behold, I [am] with thee according to thy heart.

His armor bearer replied, “Do everything that is in your heart. Go ahead, see, I am with you, to obey all your commands.”

8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over to [these] men, and we will discover ourselves to them.

Then Jonathan said, “We will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them.

9 If they say thus to us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up to them.

If they say to us, 'Wait there until we come over to you'—then we will stay in our place and will not cross over to them.

10 But if they say thus, Come up to us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand; and this [shall be] a sign to us.

But if they reply, 'Come over to us,' then we will cross over; because Yahweh has given them into our hand. This will be the sign to us.”

11 And both of them discovered 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.

So both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. The Philistines said, “Look, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves.”

12 And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armor-bearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will show you a thing. And Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.

Then the men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armor bearer, and said, “Come up to us, and we will show you something.” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Follow after me, because Yahweh has given them into the hand of Israel.”

13 And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armor-bearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armor-bearer slew after him.

Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor bearer followed behind him. The Philistines were put to death before Jonathan, and his armor bearer put some to death behind him.

14 And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were a half-acre of land, [which] a yoke [of oxen might plow].

That first attack that Jonathan and his armor bearer made, killed about twenty men within an area of half an acre.

15 And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.

There was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among the people. Even the garrison and the raiders panicked. The earth quaked, and there was a great panic.

16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down [one another].

Then Saul's watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; the crowd of Philistine soldiers was dispersing, and they were going here and there.

17 Then said Saul to the people that [were] with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer [were] not [there].

Then Saul said to the people that were with him, “Count and see who is missing from us.” When they had counted, Jonathan and his armor bearer were missing.

18 And Saul said to Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.

Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here,” for at that time it was with the people of Israel.

19 And it came to pass while Saul talked to the priest, that the noise that [was] in the host of the Philistines went on, and increased: and Saul said to the priest, Withdraw thy hand.

While Saul was talking to the priest, the commotion in the camp of the Philistines was continuing and increasing. Then Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”

20 And Saul and all the people that [were] with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, [and there was] a very great discomfiture.

Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into battle. Every Philistine's sword was against his fellow countrymen, and there was very great confusion.

21 Moreover the Hebrews [that] were with the Philistines before that time, who went up with them into the camp [from the country] around, even they also [turned] to be with the Israelites that [were] with Saul and Jonathan.

Now those Hebrews who previously had been with the Philistines, and who had gone with them into the camp, even they joined with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.

22 Likewise all the men of Israel who had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, [when] they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.

When all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hills near Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, even they chased after them in battle.

23 So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over to Beth-aven.

So Yahweh saved Israel that day, and the battle passed beyond Beth Aven.

24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed [be] the man that eateth [any] food until evening, that I may be avenged on my enemies. So none of the people tasted [any] food.

That day the men of Israel were distressed because Saul had put the people under an oath and said, “Cursed be the man that eats any food until evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted food.

25 And all [they of] the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.

Then all the people entered the forest and there was honey upon the ground.

26 And when the people had come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.

When the people entered into the forest, the honey flowed, but no one put his hand to his mouth for the people feared the oath.

27 But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that [was] in his hand, and dipped it in a honey-comb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.

But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with an oath. He reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.

28 Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed [be] the man that eateth [any] food this day. And the people were faint.

Then one of the people, answered, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, by saying, 'Cursed be the man that eats food on this day,' even though the people are weak from hunger.”

29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how my eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.

Then Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the land. See how my eyes have become brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.

30 How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to-day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?

How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the plunder from their enemies that they found? Because now the slaughter has not been great among the Philistines.”

31 And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Ajalon: and the people were very faint.

They attacked the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. The people were very weary.

32 And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep and oxen, and calves, and slew [them] on the ground: and the people ate [them] with the blood.

The people rushed greedily on the plunder and took sheep, oxen and calves, and killed them on the ground. The people ate them with the blood.

33 Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone to me this day.

Then they told Saul, “Look, the people are sinning against Yahweh by eating with the blood.” Saul said, “You have acted unfaithfully. Now, roll a big stone here to me.”

34 And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay [them] here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew [them] there.

Saul said, “Go out among the people, and tell them, 'Let every man bring his ox and his sheep, kill them here, and eat. Do not sin against Yahweh by eating with the blood.'” So each of the people brought his own ox with him that night and killed it there.

35 And Saul built an altar to the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built to the LORD:

Saul built an altar to Yahweh, which was the first altar that he built to Yahweh.

36 And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatever seemeth good to thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither to God.

Then Saul said, “Let us pursue the Philistines by night and plunder them until morning; let us not leave one of them alive.” They replied, “Do whatever seems good to you.” But the priest said, “Let us approach God here.”

37 And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.

Saul asked God, “Should I pursue the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?” But God did not answer him that day.

38 And Saul said, Draw ye near hither all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.

Then Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the people; learn and see how this sin has happened today.

39 For [as] the LORD liveth, who saveth Israel, though it is in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But [there was] not a man among all the people [that] answered him.

For, as Yahweh lives, who saves Israel, even if it is in Jonathan my son, he will surely die.” But none of the men among all the people answered him.

40 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 seemeth good to thee.

Then he said to all Israel, “You must stand on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other.” The people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.”

41 Therefore Saul said to the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect [lot]. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.

Saul said, “Yahweh, God of Israel! If this sin has been committed by me or by my son Jonathan, then, Yahweh, God of Israel, give the Urim. But if this sin has been committed by your people Israel, give the Thummim.” Then Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, but the army was exonerated.

42 And Saul said, Cast [lots] between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.

Then Saul said, “Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son.” Then Jonathan was taken by lot.

43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that [was] in my hand, [and], lo, I must die.

Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand. Here I am; I will die.”

44 And Saul answered, God do so, and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.

Saul said, “God do so and more also to me, if you do not die, Jonathan.”

45 And the people said to Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? By no means: [as] the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

Then the people said to Saul, “Should Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great victory for Israel? Far from it! As Yahweh lives, not one hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he has worked with God today.” So the people rescued Jonathan so that he did not die.

46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.

Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.

47 So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, 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 harassed [them].

When Saul began to rule over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side. He fought against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them.

48 And he gathered a host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hands of them that spoiled them.

He acted with great courage and defeated the Amalekites. He rescued Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them.

49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchi-shua: and the names of his two daughters [were these]; the name of the first-born Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:

The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malki-Shua. The names of his two daughters were Merab, the firstborn, and Michal, the younger.

50 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.

The name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam; she was the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the captain of his army was Abner son of Ner, Saul's uncle.

51 And Kish [was] the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner [was] the son of Abiel.

Kish was Saul's father; and Ner, the father of Abner, was the son of Abiel.

52 And there was violent war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him to himself.

There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul. When Saul saw any mighty man, or any valiant man, he attached him to himself.