1 O ne day Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who was carrying his battle-clothes, “Come, let us go over to the place where the Philistine soldiers are 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 beside Gibeah under the pomegranate tree in Migron. There were about 600 men with him,

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 religious leader of the Lord at Shiloh, wearing the linen vest. And the people did not know 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 where Jonathan went to cross over to the Philistine soldiers, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side. The name of one was Bozez. The name of the other was 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 O ne rock stood on the north in front of Michmash. The other stood on the south in front of Geba.

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

6 J onathan said to the young man who was carrying his battle-clothes, “Come, let us go over to the place where the soldiers are who have not gone through the religious act of the Jews. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for there is nothing to keep the Lord from saving 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 T he young man who was carrying his battle-clothes said to him, “Do all that is in your mind. I am with you in whatever you think to do.”

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 J onathan said, “We will cross over to the men and show 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 still 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. This will be the special thing for us to see.”

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 S o both of them showed themselves to the Philistine soldiers. The Philistines said, “See, 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 T he soldiers of that place said to Jonathan and the one who was carrying his battle-clothes, “Come up to us and we will tell you something.” Jonathan said to the one who was carrying his battle-clothes, “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 went up the hill on his hands and feet, with the one who was carrying his battle-clothes behind him. The soldiers fell in front of Jonathan. The young man, who was carrying his battle-clothes after him, killed them.

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 I n that first killing done by Jonathan and the man who carried his battle-clothes, about twenty men fell dead within a small piece 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 T here was fear among the Philistines, in the field, and among all the people. Even the soldiers shook with fear. And the earth shook, so there was much fear.

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 S aul’s men who were watching in Gibeah of Benjamin looked and saw the people running away. 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 them, and see who has left us.” When they numbered, they found that Jonathan and the young man who carried his battle-clothes 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 S aul said to Ahijah, “Bring the special box of God here.” For the special box of God was with the people of Israel at that time.

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 religious leader, the noise of the Philistines became louder. So Saul said to the religious leader, “Take your hand away.”

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 with him gathered together and went into the battle. Every man’s sword was against the man next to him. It was as if no one knew what to do.

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 T he Hebrews, who had been with the Philistines and had gone up with them among the tents returned. They returned 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 run away, they ran after them 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 saved Israel that day. And the battle spread farther than Beth-aven.

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

24 N ow the men of Israel were troubled that day. For Saul made a promise and said to the people, “Cursed will be the man who eats food before evening and before I have punished those who fight against me.” So none of the people tasted any 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 nd all the people came among the trees, 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 T he people went among the trees and saw honey flowing, but no man tasted it. For the people were afraid of Saul’s promise.

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 his father make the promise to the people. So he put the stick that was in his hand into the honeycomb. Then he put it to his mouth, and his eyes became bright.

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 O ne of the men told him, “Your father put the people under a promise, saying, ‘Cursed will be the man who eats food today.’” The people were tired and weak.

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 J onathan said, “My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have become bright 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 better it would be if the men had been free to eat today of the food that had belonged to those who fought against them! For not many Philistines have been killed.”

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 killed the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were very tired and weak.

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

32 T he people rushed upon the things that had belonged to the Philistines. They took sheep and cattle and calves, and killed 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 Saul was told, “See, the people are sinning against the Lord by eating meat with the blood in it.” And Saul said, “You have not been faithful. Roll a big stone to me here.”

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 A nd he said, “Divide yourselves among the people and say to them, ‘Each one of you bring me his bull or his sheep, and kill it here and eat. Do not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.’” So every one of the people brought his bull with him that night, and killed 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 to the Philistines during the night and take until morning what belongs to them. Let us not leave a man of them alive.” They said, “Do whatever you think is best.” So the religious leader said, “Let us ask of 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 o Saul asked God, “Should I go down to the Philistines? Will You give them into the hand of Israel?” But God did not answer him 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, “Come here, all you leaders of the people. Look 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 saves Israel, even if it is in Jonathan my son, he will die for sure.” 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 Saul said to all Israel, “You will be on one side and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side.” And the people said to Saul, “Do what you think is best.”

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 S o Saul said to the Lord, the God of Israel, “May the right name be drawn.” And the names of Saul and Jonathan were drawn, and the people went free.

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

42 T hen Saul said, “Draw names between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan’s name was drawn.

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

43 S aul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” So Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the end of the stick 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 will die for sure, 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 saved all these people of Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, not one hair of his head will fall to the ground. For he has worked with God this day.” So the people saved 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 stopped going after the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place. Saul’s Family

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

47 W hen Saul had become king over Israel, he fought against all those around him who hated him. He fought against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. He punished them in every way he turned.

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 with strength of heart and destroyed the Amalekites. He saved Israel from those who came to rob 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, Ishvi and Malchishua. And he had two daughters. The name of the first-born was Merab, and the name of the younger one was 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. The name of the captain of his army was Abner the son of Ner, the brother of Saul’s father.

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 Abner’s father Ner was the son of Abiel.

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

52 T here was fighting against the Philistines all of Saul’s life. When Saul saw any strong man, or any man with strength of heart, he would have the man join him.

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.