1 Samuel 14
14
Jonathan’s Daring Valor
1One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man carrying his armor, “Come, let’s cross over to the Philistines’ garrison that’s on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.
2Now Saul was sitting on the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree that is in Migron, and the troops with him were about 600 men.
3Ahijah son of Ahitub, the brother of Ichabod son of Phinehas son of Eli, the kohen of Adonai in Shiloh, was wearing an ephod. But the troops did not know that Jonathan was gone.
4Between the crossings by which Jonathan sought to cross over to the Philistines’ garrison, there was a rocky crag on one side and another rocky crag on the other side—one was called Bozez and the other Seneh.
5One crag was to the north near Michmas, and the other to the south near Geba.
6Then Jonathan said to the young man carrying his armor, “Come, let’s cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised ones. Perhaps Adonai will work for us, for nothing restrains Adonai from delivering whether by many or by few.”
7His armor-bearer answered him, “Do whatever is in your heart; go ahead—I’m with you whatever your heart decides.”
8Then Jonathan said, “Here, we’ll cross over to the men, then let them see us.
9If they say to us: ‘Wait till we come to you,’ then we’ll stand still in our place and will not go up to them.
10But if they say, ‘Come up to us!’ then we will go up, for Adonai has delivered them into our hand—that will be our sign.”
11So they both let themselves be seen by the Philistine garrison. “Look, some Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they were hiding,” the Philistines said.
12So the men of the garrison shouted down to Jonathan and his armor-bearer saying, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson!” Then Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Follow me, for Adonai has handed them over to Israel!”
13So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. Then they fell before Jonathan, his armor-bearer behind him finishing them off.
14That first assault that Jonathan and his armor-bearer made struck down about 20 men within about half a furrow in an acre of land.
15Terror then spread through the camp, in the field, and among all the troops. Even the outposts and the raiders also trembled, when the earth quaked—it was a trembling from God.
16Now Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin saw the throng scattering away in every direction.
17So Saul said to the people who were with him, “Call the roll now and see who went from us.” When they called the roll, behold Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there.
18Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here.” For the ark of God at that time was with Bnei-Yisrael.
19But while Saul was talking to the kohen, the commotion in the Philistine camp kept increasing, so Saul said to the kohen, “Withdraw your hand.”
20Then Saul and all the people with him rallied and rushed into the battle. Behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow in utter confusion!
21Now there were Hebrews who had defected to the Philistines previously and had gone up with them to their camp round about—even they joined the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.
22Also when all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines had fled, they also chased after them in the battle.
23So Adonai delivered Israel that day. The battle spread as far as Beth-aven.
Saul’s Rash Vow
24Now the men of Israel were hard-pressed that day, for Saul put the people under oath saying, “Cursed be the man that eats any food before evening, until I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the people tasted food.
25But when all the people of the land entered the forest, there was honey on the ground.
26When the people entered the forest, indeed, there was a flow of honey, but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.
27But Jonathan had not heard when his father made the people swear the oath. So he put out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb, put his hand to his mouth—and his eyes brightened.
28Then, one of the soldiers told him, “Your father strictly put the people under oath saying: ‘Cursed be the man that eats food today.’ But the troops are exhausted.”
29Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the people. Just look how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.
30How much more, if only the troops had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies that they found? Wouldn’t the slaughter among the Philistines have then been greater?”
31That day they struck down the Philistines from Michmas to Aijalon, though the people were so weary.
32Then the people rushed greedily upon the plunder, took sheep, oxen and calves, butchered them on the ground, and the people ate them with the blood.
33Then they reported to Saul saying, “Behold, the people are sinning against Adonai by eating with the blood.” “You have acted faithlessly,” he said. “Roll a great stone towards me at once.”
34Then Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people and tell them: ‘Each one of you bring me his ox or his sheep, and butcher them here and eat. Don’t sin against Adonai by eating with the blood.’” So all the people each brought his ox with him that night and butchered it there.
35Then Saul built an altar to Adonai; it was the first altar that he built to Adonai.
36Then Saul said, “Let’s go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until the morning light, we won’t leave any survivors among them.” “Do whatever seems good in your eyes,” they replied. Then the kohen said, “Let us draw near to God here.”
37So Saul inquired of 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.
38Then Saul said, “Draw near here, all you chiefs of the people; investigate and see how this sin was committed today.
39For as Adonai—Israel’s deliverer—lives, even if it was by my son Jonathan, he will surely die.” But not one among all the people answered him.
40So he 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 in your eyes,” said the people to Saul.
41So Saul said to Adonai, “God of Israel, grant a perfect lot.” Jonathan and Saul were chosen, but the people were cleared.
42Then Saul said, “Cast the lots between me and my son Jonathan,” and Jonathan was taken.
43Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you’ve done.” Jonathan told him saying, “I certainly did taste a little honey—with the end of the rod that was in my hand. Here I am—I must die!”
44“May God do so to me and even more,” Saul said. “You must surely die, Jonathan.”
45But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die? It was he who brought about this great deliverance in Israel! Far be it! As Adonai lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground! For he has worked with God this day.” So the people rescued Jonathan and he did not die.
46Then Saul broke off pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own country.
47After Saul had secured his kingship over Israel, he waged war against all his enemies on every side—against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he punished them.
48He did so with valor, defeating the Amalekites and delivering Israel from the hands of those who had plundered them.
49Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malchi-shua; and the names of his two daughters were: the name of the firstborn Merab and the name of the younger Michal.
50The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.
51Kish was Saul’s father, and Abner’s father was Ner son of Abiel.
52Now there was bitter war against the Philistines all the days of Saul. So whenever Saul saw any mighty man or any son of valor, he would gather him to himself.
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1 Samuel 14: TLV
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Copyright © 2014 - Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society
1 Samuel 14
14
1 Samuel 14
1¶ Now it came to pass upon a day that Jonathan, the son of Saul, said unto the young man that bore his armour, Come and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side. But he did not tell his father.
2And 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;
3and Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh, was wearing the ephod. And the people did not know that Jonathan was gone.
4And between the passages by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines’ garrison, 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.
5The forefront of the one was situated northward over against Michmash and the other towards the Negev over against Gibeah.
6And Jonathan said to the young man that bore his armour, Come and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised; peradventure the Lord will work for us, for it is not difficult for the Lord to save by many or by few.
7And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thy heart; go. Behold, I am with thee according to thy will.
8Then Jonathan said, Behold, we will go over unto these men, and we will show ourselves unto them.
9If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you, then we will stand still in our place and will not go up unto them.
10But if they say thus, Come up unto us, then we will go up, for the Lord has delivered them into our hand, and this shall be a sign unto us.
11And both of them showed themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines; and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
12And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer and said, Come up to us, and we will show you a thing. Then Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me, for the Lord has delivered them into the hand of Israel.
13And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet and his armourbearer after him; and they fell before Jonathan, and his armourbearer slew after him.
14And that first slaughter which Jonathan and his armourbearer made was about twenty men within as it were a half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.
15And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people of the garrison; and those who had gone out to destroy the land, they also trembled, and the earth quaked, and there was fear of God.
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.
17Then Saul said unto the people that were with him, Number now and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.
18And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the sons of Israel.
19And it came to pass while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased. Then Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thy hand.
20And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle; and, behold, each man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.
21Moreover, the Hebrews that had been with the Philistines before that time, who had gone up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.
22Likewise all the men of Israel who had hid themselves in Mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, they also followed hard after them in the battle.
23So the Lord saved Israel that day; and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.
24¶ But the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eats any food until evening that I may be avenged on my enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
25And the army of all the land came to a wood, and there was honey upon the ground.
26And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped, but no man put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.
27But Jonathan had not heard when his father charged the people with the oath, therefore, he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand and dipped it in a honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes were enlightened.
28Then one of the people spoke and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eats any food this day. And the people were faint.
29Then Jonathan said, My father has troubled the land. See, I pray you, how my eyes have been enlightened because I tasted a little of this honey.
30How much more if haply the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found? Would there not have been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?
31And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon, but the people were very faint.
32Therefore, 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.
33Then 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 unto me this day.
34And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people and tell each one to bring his ox and his sheep here unto me and slay them here and eat and do not sin against the Lord in eating with the blood. And of all the people, each one brought his ox with him that night and slew them there.
35And Saul built an altar unto the Lord; the same was the first altar that he built unto the Lord.
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 seems good unto thee. Then the priest said, Let us draw near unto God here.
37And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? Wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he did not answer him that day.
38Then Saul said, Bring here all the chief of the people and know and see by whom this sin has been this day.
39For, as the Lord lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan, my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.
40Then he said unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seems good unto thee.
41Therefore, Saul said unto the Lord God of Israel, Show who is without blemish. And Saul and Jonathan were taken, but the people went out free.
42And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.
43Then 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; must I die for this.
44And Saul answered, God do so and more also, for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.
45Then the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who has wrought this great saving health in Israel? No, in no wise: as the Lord lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has wrought with God this day. So the people rescued {Heb. ransomed} Jonathan that he did not die.
46Then Saul went up from following 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 sons of Ammon and against Edom and against the kings of Zobah and against the Philistines; and wherever he turned himself, he troubled them.
48And he gathered a host and smote Amalek and delivered Israel out of the hands of those that spoiled them.
49Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan and Ishui and Melchishua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab and the name of the younger Michal.
50And 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.
51For Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner, the father of Abner, was the son of Abiel.
52And there was intense war against the Philistines all the days of Saul, and when Saul saw any strong man or any valiant man, he took him unto him.
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The Jubilee Bible 2000 (JUB) by Ransom Press International