1 N ow the day came that Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come and let us cross over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.

And the day cometh that Jonathan son of Saul saith unto the young man bearing his weapons, `Come, and we pass over unto the station of the Philistines, which on the other side of this;' and to his father he hath not declared.

2 S aul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in Migron. And the people who were with him were about six hundred men,

And Saul is abiding at the extremity of Gibeah, under the pomegranate which in Migron, and the people who with him, about six hundred men,

3 a nd Ahijah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of the Lord at Shiloh, was wearing an ephod. And the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.

and Ahiah, son of Ahitub, brother of I-Chabod, son of Phinehas son of Eli priest of Jehovah in Shiloh, bearing an ephod; and the people knew not that Jonathan hath gone.

4 B etween the passes by which Jonathan sought to cross over to the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp crag on the one side and a sharp crag on the other side, and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.

And between the passages where Jonathan sought to pass over unto the station of the Philistines the edge of a rock on the one side, and the edge of a rock on the other side, and the name of the one is Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.

5 T he one crag rose on the north opposite Michmash, and the other on the south opposite Geba.

The one edge fixed on the north over-against Michmash, and the one on the south over-against Gibeah.

6 T hen Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps the Lord will work for us, for the Lord is not restrained to save by many or by few.”

And Jonathan saith unto the young man bearing his weapons, `Come, and we pass over unto the station of these uncircumcised; it may be Jehovah doth work for us, for there is no restraint to Jehovah to save by many or by few.'

7 H is armor bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart; turn yourself, and here I am with you according to your desire.”

And the bearer of his weapons saith to him, `Do all that in thy heart; turn for thee; lo, I with thee, as thine own heart.'

8 T hen Jonathan said, “ Behold, we will cross over to the men and reveal ourselves to them.

And Jonathan saith, `Lo, we are passing over unto the men, and are revealed unto them;

9 I f they say to us, ‘Wait until we come to you’; then we will stand in our place and not go up to them.

if thus they say unto us, `Stand still till we have come unto you,' then we have stood in our place, and do not go up unto them;

10 B ut if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up, for the Lord has given them into our hands; and this shall be the sign to us.”

and if thus they say, `Come up against us,' then we have gone up, for Jehovah hath given them into our hand, and this to us the sign.

11 W hen both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines, the Philistines said, “Behold, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves.”

And revealed are both of them unto the station of the Philistines, and the Philistines say, `Lo, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hid themselves.'

12 S o the men of the garrison hailed Jonathan and his armor bearer and said, “Come up to us and we will tell you something.” And Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come up after me, for the Lord has given them into the hands of Israel.”

And the men of the station answer Jonathan, and the bearer of his weapons, and say, `Come up unto us, and we cause you to know something.' And Jonathan saith unto the bearer of his weapons, `Come up after me, for Jehovah hath given them into the hand of Israel.'

13 T hen Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor bearer behind him; and they fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer put some to death after him.

And Jonathan goeth up on his hands, and on his feet, and the bearer of his weapons after him; and they fall before Jonathan, and the bearer of his weapons is putting to death after him.

14 T hat first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor bearer made was about twenty men within about half a furrow in an acre of land.

And the first smiting which Jonathan and the bearer of his weapons have smitten is of about twenty men, in about half a furrow of a yoke of a field,

15 A nd there was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even the garrison and the raiders trembled, and the earth quaked so that it became a great trembling.

and there is a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people, the station and the destroyers have trembled -- even they, and the earth shaketh, and it becometh a trembling of God.

16 N ow Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away; and they went here and there.

And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin see, and lo, the multitude hath melted away, and it goeth on, and is beaten down.

17 S aul said to the people who were with him, “ Number now and see who has gone from us.” And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there.

And Saul saith to the people who with him, `Inspect, I pray you, and see; who hath gone from us?' and they inspect, and lo, Jonathan and the bearer of his weapons are not.

18 T hen Saul said to Ahijah, “ Bring the ark of God here.” For the ark of God was at that time with the sons of Israel.

And Saul saith to Ahiah, `Bring nigh the ark of God;' for the ark of God hath been on that day with the sons of Israel.

19 W hile Saul talked to the priest, the commotion in the camp of the Philistines continued and increased; so Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”

And it cometh to pass, while Saul spake unto the priest, that the noise which in the camp of the Philistines goeth on, going on and becoming great, and Saul saith unto the priest, `Remove thy hand.'

20 T hen Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and came to the battle; and behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion.

And Saul is called, and all the people who with him, and they come in unto the battle, and, lo, the sword of each hath been against his neighbour -- a very great destruction.

21 N ow the Hebrews who were with the Philistines previously, who went up with them all around in the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.

And the Hebrews have been for the Philistines as heretofore, who had gone up with them into the camp, have turned round, even they, to be with Israel who with Saul and Jonathan,

22 W hen all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines had fled, even they also pursued them closely in the battle.

and all the men of Israel, who are hiding themselves in the hill-country of Ephraim, have heard that the Philistines have fled, and they pursue -- even they -- after them in battle.

23 S o the Lord delivered Israel that day, and the battle spread beyond Beth-aven. Saul’s Foolish Order

And Jehovah saveth Israel on that day, and the battle hath passed over to Beth-Aven.

24 N ow the men of Israel were hard-pressed on that day, for Saul had put the people under oath, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food before evening, and until I have avenged myself on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food.

And the men of Israel have been distressed on that day, and Saul adjureth the people, saying, `Cursed the man who eateth food till the evening, and I have been avenged of mine enemies;' and none of the people hath tasted food.

25 A ll the people of the land entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground.

And all the land have come into a forest, and there is honey on the face of the field;

26 W hen the people entered the forest, behold, there was a flow of honey; but no man put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.

and the people come in unto the forest, and lo, the honey dropped, and none is moving his hand unto his mouth, for the people feared the oath.

27 B ut Jonathan had not heard when his father put the people under oath; therefore, he put out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.

And Jonathan hath not heard of his father's adjuring the people, and putteth forth the end of the rod, which in his hand, and dippeth it in the honeycomb, and bringeth back his hand unto his mouth -- and his eyes see!

28 T hen one of the people said, “Your father strictly put the people under oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food today.’” And the people were weary.

And a man of the people answereth and saith, `Thy father certainly adjured the people, saying, Cursed the man who eateth food to-day; and the people are weary.'

29 T hen Jonathan said, “ My father has troubled the land. See now, how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.

And Jonathan saith, `My father hath troubled the land; see, I pray you, that mine eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey.

30 H ow much more, if only the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great.”

How much more if the people had well eaten to-day of the spoil of its enemies which it hath found, for now, the smiting hath not been great among the Philistines.'

31 T hey struck among the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were very weary.

And they smite on that day among the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, and the people are very weary,

32 T he people rushed greedily upon the spoil, and took sheep and oxen and calves, and slew them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood.

and the people make unto the spoil, and take sheep, and oxen, and sons of the herd, and slaughter on the earth, and the people eat with the blood.

33 T hen they told Saul, saying, “Behold, the people are sinning against the Lord by eating with the blood.” And he said, “You have acted treacherously; roll a great stone to me today.”

And they declare to Saul, saying, `Lo, the people are sinning against Jehovah, to eat with the blood.' And he saith, `Ye have dealt treacherously, roll unto me to-day a great stone.'

34 S aul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people and say to them, ‘Each one of you bring me his ox or his sheep, and slaughter it here and eat; and do not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.’” So all the people that night brought each one his ox with him and slaughtered it there.

And Saul saith, `Be ye scattered among the people, and ye have said to them, Bring ye nigh unto me each his ox, and each his sheep; and ye have slain in this place, and eaten, and ye do not sin against Jehovah to eat with the blood.' And all the people bring nigh each his ox, in his hand, that night, and slaughter there.

35 A nd Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord.

And Saul buildeth an alter to Jehovah; with it he hath begun to build altars to Jehovah.

36 T hen Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and take spoil among them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them.” And they said, “Do whatever seems good to you.” So the priest said, “Let us draw near to God here.”

And Saul saith, `Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and we prey upon them till the light of the morning, and leave not a man of them.' And they say, `All that is good in thine eyes do.' And the priest saith, `Let us draw near hither unto God.'

37 S aul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You give them into the hand of Israel?” But He did not answer him on that day.

And Saul asketh of God, `Do I go down after the Philistines? dost Thou give them into the hand of Israel?' and He hath not answered him on that day.

38 S aul said, “ Draw near here, all you chiefs of the people, and investigate and see how this sin has happened today.

And Saul saith, `Draw ye nigh hither all, the chiefs of the people, and know and see in what this sin hath been to-day;

39 F or as the Lord lives, who delivers Israel, though it is in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But not one of all the people answered him.

for, Jehovah liveth, who is saving Israel: surely if it be in Jonathan my son, surely he doth certainly die;' and none is answering him out of all the people.

40 T hen he said to all Israel, “You shall be on one side and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side.” And the people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.”

And he saith unto all Israel, `Ye -- ye are on one side, and I and Jonathan my son are on another side;' and the people say unto Saul, `That which is good in thine eyes do.'

41 T herefore, Saul said to the Lord, the God of Israel, “ Give a perfect lot.” And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped.

And Saul saith unto Jehovah, God of Israel, `Give perfection;' and Jonathan and Saul are captured, and the people went out.

42 S aul said, “Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son.” And Jonathan was taken.

And Saul saith, `Cast between me and Jonathan my son;' and Jonathan is captured.

43 T hen Saul said to Jonathan, “ Tell me what you have done.” So Jonathan told him and said, “ I indeed tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am, I must die!”

And Saul saith unto Jonathan, `Declare to me, what hast thou done?' and Jonathan declareth to him, and saith, `I certainly tasted with the end of the rod that in my hand a little honey; lo, I die!'

44 S aul said, “ May God do this to me and more also, for you shall surely die, Jonathan.”

And Saul saith, `Thus doth God do, and thus doth He add, for thou dost certainly die, Jonathan.'

45 B ut the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die, who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.” So the people rescued Jonathan and he did not die.

And the people say unto Saul, `Doth Jonathan die who wrought this great salvation in Israel? -- a profanation! Jehovah liveth, if there falleth from the hair of his head to the earth, for with God he hath wrought this day;' and the people rescue Jonathan, and he hath not died.

46 T hen Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place. Constant Warfare

And Saul goeth up from after the Philistines, and the Philistines have gone to their place;

47 N ow when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, the sons of Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines; and wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment.

and Saul captured the kingdom over Israel, and he fighteth round about against all his enemies, against Moab, and against the Bene-Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines, and whithersoever he turneth he doth vex.

48 H e acted valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hands of those who plundered them.

And he maketh a force, and smiteth Amalek, and delivereth Israel out of the hand of its spoiler.

49 N ow the sons of Saul were Jonathan and Ishvi and Malchi-shua; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab and the name of the younger Michal.

And the sons of Saul are Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchi-Shua; as to the name of his two daughters, the name of the first-born Merab, and the name of the younger Michal;

50 T he name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the captain of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.

and the name of the wife of Saul Ahinoam, daughter of Ahimaaz; and the name of the head of his host Abner son of Ner, uncle of Saul;

51 K ish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.

and Kish father of Saul, and Ner father of Abner son of Ahiel.

52 N ow the war against the Philistines was severe all the days of Saul; and when Saul saw any mighty man or any valiant man, he attached him to his staff.

And the war is severe against the Philistines all the days of Saul; when Saul hath seen any mighty man, and any son of valour, then he doth gather him unto himself.