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
I Samuel 14
14
Jonathan Defeats the Philistines
1Now it happened one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. 2And Saul was sitting in the outskirts of #1 Sam. 14:1, 4Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men. 3#1 Sam. 13:15, 16Ahijah the son of Ahitub, #1 Sam. 22:9, 11, 20Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh, was #1 Sam. 4:21wearing an ephod. But the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.
4Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over #1 Sam. 2:28to the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on one side and a sharp rock on the other side. And the name of one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. 5The front of one faced northward opposite Michmash, and the other southward opposite Gibeah.
6Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these #1 Sam. 13:23uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord #1 Sam. 17:26, 36; Jer. 9:25, 26from saving by many or by few.”
7So his armorbearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart.”
8Then Jonathan said, “Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them. 9If they say thus to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them. 10But if they say thus, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up. For the Lord has delivered them into our hand, and #Judg. 7:4, 7; 1 Sam. 17:46, 47; 2 Chr. 14:11; (Ps. 115:3; 135:6; Zech. 4:6; Matt. 19:26; Rom. 8:31)this will be a sign to us.”
11So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have #Gen. 24:14; Judg. 6:36–40hidden.” 12Then the men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armorbearer, and said, “Come up to us, and we will show you something.”
Jonathan said to his armorbearer, “Come up after me, for the Lord has delivered them into the hand of Israel.” 13And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and knees with his armorbearer after him; and they #1 Sam. 13:6; 14:22fell before Jonathan. And as he came after him, his armorbearer killed them. 14That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armorbearer made was about twenty men within about half an acre of land.
15And #Lev. 26:8; Josh. 23:10there was trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and #Deut. 28:7; 2 Kin. 7:6, 7; Job 18:11the raiders also trembled; and the earth quaked, so that it was #1 Sam. 13:17a very great trembling. 16Now the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and there was the multitude, melting away; and they #Gen. 35:5went here and there. 17Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Now call the roll and see who has gone from us.” And when they had called the roll, surprisingly, Jonathan and his armorbearer were not there. 18And Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here” (for at that time the ark of God was with the children of Israel). 19Now it happened, while Saul #1 Sam. 14:20talked to the priest, that the noise which was in the camp of the Philistines continued to increase; so Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” 20Then Saul and all the people who were with him assembled, and they went to the battle; and indeed #Num. 27:21every man’s sword was against his neighbor, and there was very great confusion. 21Moreover the Hebrews who were with the Philistines before that time, who went up with them into the camp from the surrounding country, they also joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22Likewise all the men of Israel who #Judg. 7:22; 2 Chr. 20:23had hidden in the mountains of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, they also followed hard after them in the battle. 23#1 Sam. 13:6So the Lord saved Israel that day, and the battle shifted #Ex. 14:30; 2 Chr. 32:22; Hos. 1:7to Beth Aven.
Saul’s Rash Oath
24And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had #1 Sam. 13:5placed the people under oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food. 25#Josh. 6:26Now all the people of the land came to a forest; and there was #Deut. 9:28; Matt. 3:5honey on the ground. 26And when the people had come into the woods, there was the honey, dripping; but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath. 27But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath; therefore he stretched out 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 countenance brightened. 28Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food this day.’ ” And the people were faint.
29But Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. Look now, how my countenance has brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. 30How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now would there not have been a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?”
31Now they had driven back the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. So the people were very faint. 32And the people rushed on the spoil, and took sheep, oxen, and calves, and slaughtered them on the ground; and the people ate them #Ex. 3:8; Num. 13:27; Matt. 3:4with the blood. 33Then they told Saul, saying, “Look, the people are sinning against the Lord by eating with the blood!”
So he said, “You have dealt treacherously; roll a large stone to me this day.” 34Then Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them, ‘Bring me here every man’s ox and every man’s sheep, slaughter them here, and eat; and do not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.’ ” So every one of the people brought his ox with him that night, and slaughtered it there. 35Then Saul #Gen. 9:4; Lev. 3:17; 17:10–14; 19:26; Deut. 12:16, 23, 24; Acts 15:20built an altar to the Lord. This was the first altar that he built to the Lord.
36Now Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and plunder them until the morning light; and let us not leave a man of them.”
And they said, “Do whatever seems good to you.”
Then the priest said, “Let us draw near to God here.”
37So Saul #1 Sam. 7:12, 17; 2 Sam. 24:25asked counsel of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You deliver them into the hand of Israel?” But #Judg. 20:18He did not answer him that day. 38And Saul said, #1 Sam. 28:6“Come over here, all you chiefs of the people, and know and see what this sin was today. 39For #Josh. 7:14; 1 Sam. 10:19as the Lord lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But not a man among all the people answered him. 40Then he said to all Israel, “You be on one side, and my son Jonathan and I will be on the other side.”
And the people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.”
41Therefore Saul said to the Lord God of Israel, #1 Sam. 14:24, 44; 2 Sam. 12:5“Give a perfect lot.” #Prov. 16:33; Acts 1:24–26So Saul and Jonathan were taken, but the people escaped. 42And Saul said, “Cast lots between my son Jonathan and me.” So Jonathan was taken. 43Then Saul said to Jonathan, #Josh. 7:16; 1 Sam. 10:20, 21“Tell me what you have done.”
And Jonathan told him, and said, #Josh. 7:19“I only tasted a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand. So now I must die!”
44Saul answered, #1 Sam. 14:27“God do so and more also; #Ruth 1:17; 1 Sam. 25:22for you shall surely die, Jonathan.”
45But the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great deliverance in Israel? Certainly not! #1 Sam. 14:39As the Lord lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked #2 Sam. 14:11; 1 Kin. 1:52; Luke 21:18; Acts 27:34with God this day.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.
46Then Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.
Saul’s Continuing Wars
47So Saul established his sovereignty over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the people of #(2 Cor. 6:1; Phil. 2:12, 13)Ammon, against Edom, against the kings of #1 Sam. 11:1–13Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he harassed them. 48And he gathered an army and #2 Sam. 10:6attacked the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hands of those who plundered them.
49#Ex. 17:16; 1 Sam. 15:3–7The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Jishui, and Malchishua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger #1 Sam. 31:2; 1 Chr. 8:33Michal. 50The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s #1 Sam. 18:17–20, 27; 19:12uncle. 51#1 Sam. 10:14Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
52Now there was fierce war with the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man or any valiant man, #1 Sam. 9:1, 21he took him for himself.
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.