1 Samuel 14 summary meaning ai explained commentary

1 Samuel 14 meaning explained in AI Summary

This chapter details Jonathan's daring raid on the Philistine camp and its dramatic consequences.

Jonathan's Bold Move (vv. 1-15):

Jonathan, son of Saul, decides to attack a Philistine outpost with only his armor-bearer.
He sees this as a sign from God: if the Philistines challenge them, they will fight; if not, they will retreat.
The Philistines challenge them, interpreting it as the Israelites coming out of hiding.
Jonathan and his armor-bearer bravely attack, killing about 20 Philistines, throwing the camp into confusion.

Panic in the Philistine Camp (vv. 16-23):

The commotion caused by Jonathan and his armor-bearer leads to panic among the Philistines.
They start attacking each other in confusion, thinking they are under attack from multiple Israelite forces.
Even Hebrews who had previously joined the Philistines switch sides, adding to the chaos.

Saul Joins the Battle (vv. 24-35):

Saul and his men, initially unaware of Jonathan's actions, witness the confusion in the Philistine camp.
Consulting the Ark of the Covenant, Saul receives no answer from God, leading him to believe someone has sinned.
He discovers Jonathan's absence and prepares to punish him, but the people intercede on Jonathan's behalf.
The Israelites, energized by Jonathan's victory, join the battle and defeat the Philistines.

Saul's Rash Oath and Jonathan's Near Death (vv. 36-46):

In his zeal, Saul makes a rash oath: no one shall eat until evening, ensuring the complete destruction of the Philistines.
Unaware of the oath, Jonathan eats honey while pursuing the enemy, unknowingly breaking the oath.
Saul prepares to execute Jonathan for disobeying, but the people, recognizing Jonathan's heroism, save him.

The Chapter's Conclusion (vv. 47-52):

The chapter concludes with a summary of Saul's reign, highlighting his military victories against various enemies.
It also mentions his family members, including his sons and daughters.

Key Themes:

Faith and Courage: Jonathan's faith in God and his courageous act spark a chain of events leading to a significant Israelite victory.
Rashness and Mercy: Saul's impulsive oath nearly costs Jonathan his life, highlighting the dangers of unchecked zeal and the importance of mercy.
Divine Providence: Despite human flaws, God uses even seemingly insignificant acts of faith to achieve his purposes.

This chapter showcases the complexities of leadership, faith, and obedience, setting the stage for further developments in the relationship between Saul and Jonathan.

1 Samuel 14 bible study ai commentary

This chapter showcases the stark contrast between two leadership styles: Jonathan's proactive faith, which initiates a divinely empowered victory, and Saul's reactive, insecure leadership, which undermines that victory through a foolish, self-serving oath. It is a narrative about how true salvation comes from the LORD through willing vessels of faith, not through the formal, misguided piety of a faltering king.

1 Samuel 14 Context

The Israelites are in a state of desperation and fear. The Philistines have a monopoly on iron-working, leaving the Israelite army, apart from Saul and Jonathan, virtually unarmed (1 Sam 13:19-22). Saul's forces have dwindled to only 600 men, hiding in fear near Gibeah, while the Philistines have a massive, well-equipped army. The stage is set for an act of divine deliverance, not human military might. This context makes Jonathan's subsequent act of faith even more remarkable.

1 Samuel 14:1-3

Now the day came that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. Saul was sitting in the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree that is in Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men, and Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the LORD in Shiloh, was wearing an ephod. And the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.

In-depth-analysis

Jonathan's Initiative vs. Saul's Passivity: Jonathan, whose name means "Yahweh has given," acts on a personal conviction to confront the enemy. In stark contrast, Saul, the king, is sitting idly under a pomegranate tree, a symbol of fertility and rest, completely inappropriate for a military crisis.
Secrecy: Jonathan acts without his father's permission, highlighting a breakdown in their relationship and Jonathan's recognition that Saul's fear and indecisiveness would likely prevent such a bold move.
Ahijah and the Ephod: The mention of Ahijah, a descendant of the disgraced house of Eli, is ominous. His presence with the ephod (a priestly garment used for discerning God's will) suggests Saul is reliant on religious ritual for guidance, yet he doesn't use it to seek God's direction for action. It's a symbol of religious authority without spiritual power.
Word Analysis: The armor-bearer is a nōśē' kelîm, a "carrier of implements." This was a position of great trust and a close companion in battle.

Bible references

1 Sam 13:5-7: ...the people were hiding themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns... (Shows the desperation Jonathan was acting against).
Judges 6:11: Now the angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah... while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. (Another hero acting in a non-obvious location while Israel is oppressed).
Heb 11:32-34: ...Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms... (Jonathan's actions fit perfectly within this "hall of faith").

Cross references

Jdg 3:20-21 (Ehud's secret plan); 1 Sam 23:9 (David uses the ephod); Hos 3:4 (Israel without an ephod).

1 Samuel 14:4-7

Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistine garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side and a rocky crag on the other side. The name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh... Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.” And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.”

In-depth-analysis

Impassable Terrain: The names of the crags, Bozez ("shining/slippery") and Seneh ("thorny"), emphasize the physical impossibility of the task. Jonathan chose the most difficult path, signifying that the victory would have to be from God.
Theology of Faith: Jonathan’s statement, "nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few," is one of the Old Testament's most profound declarations of faith. It's the central theological statement of the chapter. He correctly identifies the Philistines as "uncircumcised," marking them as outside of God's covenant, making the battle a spiritual one.
The Armor-Bearer's Loyalty: His response is extraordinary. He doesn't question the logic but affirms Jonathan's conviction completely, demonstrating immense loyalty and shared faith. This partnership is essential for the mission's success.

Bible references

Judges 7:2, 7: The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand... With the 300 men... I will save you... (Gideon's victory, the prime example of God saving by the few).
2 Chr 14:11: ...Asa cried to the LORD... “O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak..." (Another king echoing Jonathan's theology).
Zec 4:6: 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts. (The principle of God's power over human strength).

Cross references

1 Sam 17:45-47 (David vs. Goliath); Deut 32:30 (one chasing a thousand); Psa 33:16 (king not saved by army); 1 Maccabees 3:18-19 (similar speech by Judas Maccabeus).

1 Samuel 14:8-14

Then Jonathan said, “Behold, we will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them... If they say to us, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up, for the LORD has given them into our hand. And this shall be the sign to us.” ...And the garrison men answered Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “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 has given them into the hand of Israel.” Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor-bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer killed them after him. And that first strike... was of about twenty men...

In-depth-analysis

Seeking a Sign: This is not a lack of faith, but a means of confirming God's specific will and timing. Unlike Gideon's fleece (Jdg 6:36-40), which tested if God would act, Jonathan’s sign confirms that God is acting now through this specific plan. He puts the burden of the sign on the enemy's actions.
The Enemy's Taunt: The Philistines' arrogant taunt, "we will show you a thing," becomes the very instrument of their downfall. God turns the enemy's pride into the confirmation sign for His servant.
The Attack: Jonathan climbs "on his hands and feet," a posture of extreme vulnerability and difficulty, reinforcing that the subsequent victory is supernatural. He strikes them down, and his armor-bearer finishes them off, a model of perfect teamwork.
Twenty Men: The felling of twenty men by just two is a miraculous feat that initiates panic and confusion far beyond its physical scope.

Bible references

Gen 24:12-14: And he said, “O LORD... let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’... be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac.” (Seeking a providential sign for God's will).
Isa 7:11: “Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” (Signs as a legitimate part of interaction with God).
1 Cor 1:27-28: But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise... (Two men against a garrison exemplifies this principle).

Cross references

Jdg 7:9-15 (Gideon's sign); Jsh 6:20 (fall of Jericho).

1 Samuel 14:15-23

And there was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and even the raiders trembled, and the earth quaked, and it became a very great panic. And the watchmen of Saul... looked, and behold, the multitude was dispersing... Then Saul said... "Bring the ark of God here.” For the ark of God was at that time with the people of Israel... as Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased... And Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle... So the LORD saved Israel that day...

In-depth-analysis

A "Trembling of God": The text says the panic became a ḥărādat 'ĕlōhîm, a "trembling of God." This wasn't just battle confusion; it was a divinely induced terror, magnified by an earthquake. God directly intervened.
Saul's Hesitation: When the watchmen report chaos, Saul's first instinct is not to charge but to call for the priest. He is looking for religious assurance before acting, while the opportunity for victory is unfolding. His call to "withdraw his hand" from consulting the priest shows he's motivated by the escalating noise of battle, not by divine command.
The Ark vs. The Ephod: A significant textual issue exists here. The Hebrew Masoretic Text (MT) says "ark," but the Greek Septuagint (LXX) says "ephod." Most scholars favor the LXX reading as the ephod was used for inquiry, while moving the Ark of the Covenant into battle position would be a major, time-consuming effort.
God Gets the Credit: The summary verse, "So the LORD saved Israel that day," is crucial. It firmly attributes the victory to God's intervention, initiated by Jonathan's faith, not to Saul's leadership.
Defectors Return: The victory was so decisive that Hebrew mercenaries serving the Philistines switched sides, and those hiding in the hills came out to fight.

Bible references

Exd 23:27: "I will send my terror before you, and will throw into confusion all the people against whom you shall come..." (A fulfillment of God's covenant promise).
2 Kgs 7:6-7: For the Lord had made the army of the Syrians hear the sound of chariots and of horses... so they arose and fled in the twilight... (Another instance of divinely caused panic leading to victory).
Jdg 7:21-22: ...the LORD set every man's sword against his comrade and against all the army. (God causing the enemy to self-destruct).

Cross references

Jsh 10:10 (Lord throws them into confusion); Psa 48:5-6 (panic seizing kings); 1 Sam 7:10 (the Lord thundered against Philistines).

1 Samuel 14:24-30

And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had put the people under oath, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food... Jonathan had not heard when his father charged the people with the oath... he put out the tip of the staff... and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes became bright. Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath..." Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land..."

In-depth-analysis

Saul's Rash Oath: In a moment of either false piety or immense pride, Saul lays a curse on his own army. The language "until... I am avenged" reveals his self-centered motivation. He wants to claim the victory for himself.
Counterproductive Curse: The oath is strategically foolish. It exhausts his army, making them less effective and ultimately hindering the complete victory that was possible.
Jonathan's Innocence and "Enlightenment": Jonathan, the hero of the day, breaks the oath unknowingly. The honey physically revives him, and his eyes "become bright" (tā’ōrnāh), a word implying not just physical but also mental clarity. He immediately understands the foolishness of his father's command.
Troubling the Land: Jonathan’s accusation, "My father has troubled the land," echoes the charge against Achan, who by his sin "troubled" Israel (Joshua 7:25). Jonathan rightly identifies the king's rash vow as the true source of trouble.

Bible references

Lev 27:1-34: A whole chapter dedicated to the seriousness and specifics of making vows to the LORD, highlighting the gravity of what Saul did so flippantly.
Judges 11:30-31: And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD... “whoever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me... shall be the LORD’s, and I will offer him up for a burnt offering.” (The most tragic example of a rash vow).
Pro 20:25: It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,” and to reflect only after making vows. (A wisdom proverb that perfectly diagnoses Saul's error).

Cross references

Num 30:2 (keeping one's word); Ecc 5:4-6 (better not to vow); Mat 5:34-37 (Jesus on making oaths).

Polemics

Scholars note that Saul's curse is a typical Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) formula used by commanders to ensure loyalty and focus during a 'holy war'. However, in this narrative, it is subverted. Instead of securing victory, Saul's attempt to control the sacred event through his own authority backfires, proving that God's power cannot be manipulated or contained by human edicts. The real problem is not a lack of piety, but piety misapplied for personal glory.

1 Samuel 14:31-35

They struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were very faint. The people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep and oxen and calves, and slaughtered them on the ground. And the people ate them with the blood... Then they told Saul, “Behold, the people are sinning against the LORD by eating with the blood.” ...And Saul said... "Roll a great stone to me here.” ...And Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first altar that he built to the LORD.

In-depth-analysis

The Inevitable Sin: The army, faint from the king's foolish oath, is driven by extreme hunger to violate a core tenet of Mosaic law: do not consume blood. The life is in the blood.
Saul the Problem, Saul the Solution: Saul is the direct cause of the army's sin. He then positions himself as the pious solution, commanding a proper method of slaughter and building an altar. He appears righteous, but he is only cleaning up a mess he created.
First Altar: The note that this was the first altar Saul built is significant. After all this time as king, his first major act of worship is reactionary, a response to a crisis of his own making, not an act of proactive devotion.

Bible references

Gen 9:4: But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. (The prohibition dating back to Noah).
Lev 17:10-11: "...I will set my face against that person who eats blood... For the life of the flesh is in the blood..." (The core law the people violated).
Deu 12:23-24: Only be sure that you do not eat the blood... You shall not eat it; you shall pour it out on the earth like water. (Specific instructions on proper butchering).

Cross references

Lev 3:17 (perpetual statute); Lev 7:26-27 (do not eat blood); Act 15:20 (Apostolic decree against eating blood).

1 Samuel 14:36-42

Then 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.” But the priest said, “Let us draw near to God here.” So Saul inquired of God... But he did not answer him that day. And Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the people, and know and see how this sin has arisen today... though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.”... So they cast lots, and Saul and Jonathan were taken.

In-depth-analysis

Divine Silence: After his seemingly pious actions, Saul attempts to continue the battle. The priest rightly insists they first seek God's counsel. This time, God is silent. Divine silence is a profound form of judgment in the Old Testament.
Blame-Shifting: Saul correctly identifies sin as the problem, but he assumes it is with the people or an unknown individual. He is blind to the fact that his own rash vow is the root cause.
Escalating Folly: Saul doubles down on his folly with another oath, this time putting his son's life on the line. He is so fixated on his own honor and the letter of his vow that he is willing to execute the hero of the day. His judgment is completely compromised.
The Lots: The casting of lots (likely the Urim and Thummim kept in the ephod's breastpiece) was a sanctioned method of discerning divine will. Here, it ironically exposes the king's "criminal" rather than a common sinner. God uses Saul's own methods to corner him.

Bible references

Jos 7:13-14: “...There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel... In the morning therefore you shall be brought near by your tribes..." (Casting lots to find the sinner, Achan).
1 Sam 28:6: And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. (The ultimate consequence of Saul's decline: complete divine silence).
Pro 16:33: The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. (The theological principle behind the practice).

Cross references

Num 27:21 (Urim for judgment); Ezr 2:63 (Urim and Thummim); Jnh 1:7 (lots identify Jonah).

1 Samuel 14:43-46

Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” And Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the tip of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am; I will die.” And Saul said, “God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan.” But the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As the LORD lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.” So the people ransomed Jonathan, so that he did not die.

In-depth-analysis

Jonathan's Integrity: Jonathan answers simply and honestly, accepting the consequence without making excuses. He is ready to die.
Saul's Rigidity: Saul is trapped by his own pride and public declarations. To save face, he is willing to commit a monstrous injustice: killing the son who brought God's salvation to Israel.
The People's Wisdom: The army, who had been distressed and sinned because of Saul, now rises up with moral and spiritual clarity. They recognize:
1. Jonathan is the true hero ("who has worked this great salvation").
2. God was with him ("he has worked with God this day").
3. Saul's oath is unjust and must not be carried out.
Ransomed: The word "ransomed" (wayyip̄dû) implies a deliverance or rescue. The people intervene and become the instrument of justice, subverting the king's flawed authority. It is a powerful rebuke of Saul.

Bible references

2 Sam 14:11: Then she said, “Please let the king invoke the LORD your God, that the avenger of blood kill no more...” (Another story where an oath threatens a life, and intervention is sought).
1 Kgs 1:5-53: The anointing of Solomon, where the will of the people and key leaders bypasses the preferred heir of David (Adonijah).
Luke 21:18: But not a hair of your head will perish. (The people's cry for Jonathan is echoed in Jesus' promise of divine protection).

Cross references

Gen 38:26 (Judah recognizes his guilt); 2 Sam 12:5-7 (David condemns himself); Act 5:38-39 (Gamaliel's wisdom to not fight God).

1 Samuel 14:47-52

So Saul took the kingship over Israel and fought against all his enemies on every side... And he did valiantly and struck the Amalekites and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them. Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchi-shua... The commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul's uncle... There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man or any valiant man, he took him to himself.

In-depth-analysis

A Standard Royal Summary: This section reads like a typical chronicle of a king's reign, summarizing his military successes and family line.
A Tainted Legacy: After the moral and spiritual failures detailed in the chapter, this summary of "valiance" feels hollow. He wins battles, but he has lost the more important test of character and faith.
Building a Human Army: The final verse is telling. Saul's strategy is to gather strong and valiant men to himself, building a kingdom based on human strength. This contrasts sharply with the chapter's main lesson: "the LORD saves by many or by few." It sets the stage for his eventual replacement by David, a man after God's own heart, not just a collector of mighty men.

Bible references

2 Samuel 8:1-14: A similar, but more triumphant, summary of David's military victories.
1 Chr 11:10: Now these are the chiefs of David's mighty men, who gave him strong support in his kingdom... (Contrasting Saul's conscription with the loyal support David received).

1 Samuel chapter 14 analysis

Typology of Jonathan and Christ: Many see Jonathan as a type of Christ. He is a king's son who, through a selfless act of faith, wins a great victory for his people. He is then unjustly sentenced to death under a rigid law (the oath), but is "ransomed" or delivered. This foreshadows Jesus, the Son of the King, who won the ultimate victory over sin and death, was condemned under the Law, and was ultimately resurrected, providing redemption for His people.
Faith vs. Form: The chapter is a powerful illustration of the difference between living faith and dead religious form. Jonathan acts in faith; his communion with God is dynamic and personal. Saul relies on religious props (the ephod) and formulas (oaths) but lacks the underlying relationship, leading him to disastrous decisions.
The Nature of Kingship: This chapter serves as a polemic against the ANE view of an infallible king. It demonstrates that the Israelite king is under God and can be judged by God (through divine silence) and his own people (through their intervention). The people, for a moment, show more spiritual discernment than their monarch.
The Troubler of Israel: The narrative intentionally uses the language of "trouble" (Hebrew: 'ākar) for Saul's actions (v. 29). This directly connects him to Achan (Jsh 7:25), whose sin of taking plunder caused defeat. Here, Saul's prideful vow, an act of "spiritual plunder" where he tries to steal God's glory, troubles Israel and diminishes the victory.

1 Samuel 14 summary

Jonathan, acting in bold faith, initiates a miraculous, God-given victory over the Philistines with only his armor-bearer. King Saul, however, remains passive and then undermines the victory by imposing a foolish oath that exhausts his army and causes them to sin. When his innocent son Jonathan unknowingly breaks the vow, Saul's prideful rigidity leads him to sentence the day's hero to death, a fate from which Jonathan is only rescued by the righteous outcry of the people. The chapter is a powerful indictment of Saul's failed leadership and a testament to how God works through simple faith.

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1 Samuel chapter 14 kjv

¹ Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armor, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not 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;
³ And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod'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.
⁴ And 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.
⁵ The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.
⁶ And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armor, Come, and let us go over unto 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.
⁷ And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.
⁸ Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.
⁹ If 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.
¹⁰ But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.
¹¹ And both of them discovered 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.
¹² And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will show you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.
¹³ And 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.
¹⁴ And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.
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.
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.
¹⁷ Then said Saul 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.
¹⁸ And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.
¹⁹ And 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: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine 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.
²¹ Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went 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.
²² Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.
²³ So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.
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 mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
²⁵ And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.
²⁶ And 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.
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 an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
²⁸ Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.
²⁹ Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, 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?
³¹ And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.
³² And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat 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 unto me this day.
³⁴ And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto 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.
³⁵ And 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 whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.
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.
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.
³⁹ For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth 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.
⁴⁰ Then said he 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 seemeth good unto thee.
⁴¹ Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.
⁴² And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.
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 mine hand, and, lo, I must die.
⁴⁴ And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.
⁴⁵ And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: 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.
⁴⁶ Then 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 children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.
⁴⁸ And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.
⁴⁹ Now 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:
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.
⁵¹ And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
⁵² And there was sore 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.

1 Samuel chapter 14 nkjv

¹ Now 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.
² And Saul was sitting in the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men.
³ Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh, was wearing an ephod. But the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.
⁴ Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to 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.
⁵ The front of one faced northward opposite Michmash, and the other southward opposite Gibeah.
⁶ Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few."
⁷ So his armorbearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart."
⁸ Then Jonathan said, "Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them.
⁹ If 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.
¹⁰ But if they say thus, 'Come up to us,' then we will go up. For the LORD has delivered them into our hand, and this will be a sign to us."
¹¹ So 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 hidden."
¹² Then 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."
¹³ And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and knees with his armorbearer after him; and they fell before Jonathan. And as he came after him, his armorbearer killed them.
¹⁴ That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armorbearer made was about twenty men within about half an acre of land.
¹⁵ And there was trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and the raiders also trembled; and the earth quaked, so that it was a very great trembling.
¹⁶ Now the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and there was the multitude, melting away; and they went here and there.
¹⁷ Then 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.
¹⁸ And Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God here" (for at that time the ark of God was with the children of Israel).
¹⁹ Now it happened, while Saul talked 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."
²⁰ Then Saul and all the people who were with him assembled, and they went to the battle; and indeed every man's sword was against his neighbor, and there was very great confusion.
²¹ Moreover 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.
²² Likewise all the men of Israel who had hidden in the mountains of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, they also followed hard after them in the battle.
²³ So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle shifted to Beth Aven.
²⁴ And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had placed 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 Now all the people of the land came to a forest; and there was honey on the ground.
²⁶ And 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.
²⁷ But 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.
²⁸ Then 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.
²⁹ But Jonathan said, "My father has troubled the land. Look now, how my countenance has brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.
³⁰ How 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?"
³¹ Now they had driven back the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. So the people were very faint.
³² And the people rushed on the spoil, and took sheep, oxen, and calves, and slaughtered them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood.
³³ Then 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."
³⁴ Then 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.
³⁵ Then Saul built an altar to the LORD. This was the first altar that he built to the LORD.
³⁶ Now 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."
³⁷ So Saul asked counsel of God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You deliver them into the hand of Israel?" But He did not answer him that day.
³⁸ And Saul said, "Come over here, all you chiefs of the people, and know and see what this sin was today.
³⁹ For as 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.
⁴⁰ Then 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."
⁴¹ Therefore Saul said to the LORD God of Israel, "Give a perfect lot." So Saul and Jonathan were taken, but the people escaped.
⁴² And Saul said, "Cast lots between my son Jonathan and me." So Jonathan was taken.
⁴³ Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." And Jonathan told him, and said, "I only tasted a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand. So now I must die!"
⁴⁴ Saul answered, "God do so and more also; for you shall surely die, Jonathan."
⁴⁵ But the people said to Saul, "Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great deliverance in Israel? Certainly not! 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.
⁴⁶ Then Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.
⁴⁷ So Saul established his sovereignty over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the people of Ammon, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he harassed them.
⁴⁸ And he gathered an army and attacked the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hands of those who plundered them.
⁴⁹ The 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 Michal.
⁵⁰ The 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 uncle.
⁵¹ Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
⁵² Now there was fierce war with the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man or any valiant man, he took him for himself.

1 Samuel chapter 14 niv

¹ One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, "Come, let's go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side." But he did not tell his father.
² Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With him were about six hundred men,
³ among whom was Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was a son of Ichabod's brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh. No one was aware that Jonathan had left.
⁴ On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez and the other Seneh.
⁵ One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the other to the south toward Geba.
⁶ Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, "Come, let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few."
⁷ "Do all that you have in mind," his armor-bearer said. "Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul."
⁸ Jonathan said, "Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us.
⁹ If they say to us, 'Wait there until we come to you,' we will stay where we are and not go up to them.
¹⁰ But if they say, 'Come up to us,' we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the LORD has given them into our hands."
¹¹ So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. "Look!" said the Philistines. "The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in."
¹² The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, "Come up to us and we'll teach you a lesson." So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, "Climb up after me; the LORD has given them into the hand of Israel."
¹³ Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him.
¹⁴ In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre.
¹⁵ Then panic struck the whole army?those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties?and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God.
¹⁶ Saul's lookouts at Gibeah in Benjamin saw the army melting away in all directions.
¹⁷ Then Saul said to the men who were with him, "Muster the forces and see who has left us." When they did, it was Jonathan and his armor-bearer who were not there.
¹⁸ Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God." (At that time it was with the Israelites.)
¹⁹ While Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the Philistine camp increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand."
²⁰ Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords.
²¹ Those Hebrews who had previously been with the Philistines and had gone up with them to their camp went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
²² When all the Israelites who had hidden in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were on the run, they joined the battle in hot pursuit.
²³ So on that day the LORD saved Israel, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven.
²⁴ Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, "Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!" So none of the troops tasted food.
²⁵ The entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground.
²⁶ When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out; yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath.
²⁷ But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.
²⁸ Then one of the soldiers told him, "Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, 'Cursed be anyone who eats food today!' That is why the men are faint."
²⁹ Jonathan said, "My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey.
³⁰ How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?"
³¹ That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Mikmash to Aijalon, they were exhausted.
³² They pounced on the plunder and, taking sheep, cattle and calves, they butchered them on the ground and ate them, together with the blood.
³³ Then someone said to Saul, "Look, the men are sinning against the LORD by eating meat that has blood in it." "You have broken faith," he said. "Roll a large stone over here at once."
³⁴ Then he said, "Go out among the men and tell them, 'Each of you bring me your cattle and sheep, and slaughter them here and eat them. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with blood still in it.'?" So everyone brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there.
³⁵ Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had done this.
³⁶ Saul said, "Let us go down and pursue the Philistines by night and plunder them till dawn, and let us not leave one of them alive." "Do whatever seems best to you," they replied. But the priest said, "Let us inquire of God here."
³⁷ So Saul asked God, "Shall I go down and pursue the Philistines? Will you give them into Israel's hand?" But God did not answer him that day.
³⁸ Saul therefore said, "Come here, all you who are leaders of the army, and let us find out what sin has been committed today.
³⁹ As surely as the LORD who rescues Israel lives, even if the guilt lies with my son Jonathan, he must die." But not one of them said a word.
⁴⁰ Saul then said to all the Israelites, "You stand over there; I and Jonathan my son will stand over here." "Do what seems best to you," they replied.
⁴¹ Then Saul prayed to the LORD, the God of Israel, "Why have you not answered your servant today? If the fault is in me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim, but if the men of Israel are at fault, respond with Thummim." Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, and the men were cleared.
⁴² Saul said, "Cast the lot between me and Jonathan my son." And Jonathan was taken.
⁴³ Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." So Jonathan told him, "I tasted a little honey with the end of my staff. And now I must die!"
⁴⁴ Saul said, "May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you do not die, Jonathan."
⁴⁵ But the men said to Saul, "Should Jonathan die?he who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Never! As surely as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he did this today with God's help." So the men rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death.
⁴⁶ Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and they withdrew to their own land.
⁴⁷ After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them.
⁴⁸ He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of those who had plundered them.
⁴⁹ Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malki-Shua. The name of his older daughter was Merab, and that of the younger was Michal.
⁵⁰ His wife's name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of Saul's army was Abner son of Ner, and Ner was Saul's uncle.
⁵¹ Saul's father Kish and Abner's father Ner were sons of Abiel.
⁵² All the days of Saul there was bitter war with the Philistines, and whenever Saul saw a mighty or brave man, he took him into his service.

1 Samuel chapter 14 esv

¹ One day Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armor, "Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side." But he did not tell his father.
² Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah in the pomegranate cave at Migron. The people who were with him were about six hundred men,
³ including Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the LORD in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.
⁴ Within the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistine garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side and a rocky crag on the other side. The name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
⁵ The one crag rose on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.
⁶ Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few."
⁷ And his armor-bearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul."
⁸ Then Jonathan said, "Behold, we will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them.
⁹ If they say to us, 'Wait until we come to you,' then we will stand still in our place, and we will not go up to them.
¹⁰ But if they say, 'Come up to us,' then we will go up, for the LORD has given them into our hand. And this shall be the sign to us."
¹¹ So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, "Look, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves."
¹² And the men of the garrison hailed 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 has given them into the hand of Israel."
¹³ Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor-bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer killed them after him.
¹⁴ And that first strike, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer made, killed about twenty men within as it were half a furrow's length in an acre of land.
¹⁵ And there was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and even the raiders trembled, the earth quaked, and it became a very great panic.
¹⁶ And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude was dispersing here and there.
¹⁷ Then Saul said to the people who were with him, "Count and see who has gone from us." And when they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there.
¹⁸ So Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God here." For the ark of God went at that time with the people of Israel.
¹⁹ Now while Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand."
²⁰ Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle. And behold, every Philistine's sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion.
²¹ Now the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines before that time and who had gone up with them into the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
²² Likewise, when all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle.
²³ So the LORD saved Israel that day. And the battle passed beyond Beth-aven.
²⁴ And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day, so Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, "Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies." So none of the people had tasted food.
²⁵ Now when all the people came to the forest, behold, there was honey on the ground.
²⁶ And when the people entered the forest, behold, the honey was dropping, but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.
²⁷ But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath, so he put out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes became bright.
²⁸ Then one of the people said, "Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, 'Cursed be the man who eats food this day.'" And the people were faint.
²⁹ Then Jonathan said, "My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey.
³⁰ How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies that they found. For now the defeat among the Philistines has not been great."
³¹ They struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were very faint.
³² The people pounced on the spoil and took sheep and oxen and calves and slaughtered them on the ground. And the people ate them with the blood.
³³ Then they told Saul, "Behold, the people are sinning against the LORD by eating with the blood." And he said, "You have dealt treacherously; roll a great stone to me here."
³⁴ And Saul said, "Disperse yourselves among the people and say to them, 'Let every man bring his ox or his sheep and 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 they slaughtered them there.
³⁵ And Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first altar that he built to the LORD.
³⁶ Then Saul said, "Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until the morning light; let us not leave a man of them." And they said, "Do whatever seems good to you." But the priest said, "Let us draw near to God here."
³⁷ And Saul 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 that day.
³⁸ And Saul said, "Come here, all you leaders of the people, and know and see how this sin has arisen today.
³⁹ For 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 who answered him.
⁴⁰ Then 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."
⁴¹ Therefore Saul said, "O LORD God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant this day? If this guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O LORD, God of Israel, give Urim. But if this guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim." And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped.
⁴² Then Saul said, "Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan." And Jonathan was taken.
⁴³ Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." And Jonathan told him, "I tasted a little honey with the tip of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am; I will die."
⁴⁴ And Saul said, "God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan."
⁴⁵ Then the people said to Saul, "Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As the LORD lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." So the people ransomed Jonathan, so that he did not die.
⁴⁶ Then Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.
⁴⁷ When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the Ammonites, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned he routed them.
⁴⁸ And he did valiantly and struck the Amalekites and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them.
⁴⁹ Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchi-shua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn was Merab, and the name of the younger Michal.
⁵⁰ And the 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 uncle.
⁵¹ Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
⁵² There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he attached him to himself.

1 Samuel chapter 14 nlt

¹ One day Jonathan said to his armor bearer, "Come on, let's go over to where the Philistines have their outpost." But Jonathan did not tell his father what he was doing.
² Meanwhile, Saul and his 600 men were camped on the outskirts of Gibeah, around the pomegranate tree at Migron.
³ Among Saul's men was Ahijah the priest, who was wearing the ephod, the priestly vest. Ahijah was the son of Ichabod's brother Ahitub, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the LORD who had served at Shiloh. No one realized that Jonathan had left the Israelite camp.
⁴ To reach the Philistine outpost, Jonathan had to go down between two rocky cliffs that were called Bozez and Seneh.
⁵ The cliff on the north was in front of Micmash, and the one on the south was in front of Geba.
⁶ "Let's go across to the outpost of those pagans," Jonathan said to his armor bearer. "Perhaps the LORD will help us, for nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!"
⁷ "Do what you think is best," the armor bearer replied. "I'm with you completely, whatever you decide."
⁸ "All right, then," Jonathan told him. "We will cross over and let them see us.
⁹ If they say to us, 'Stay where you are or we'll kill you,' then we will stop and not go up to them.
¹⁰ But if they say, 'Come on up and fight,' then we will go up. That will be the LORD's sign that he will help us defeat them."
¹¹ When the Philistines saw them coming, they shouted, "Look! The Hebrews are crawling out of their holes!"
¹² Then the men from the outpost shouted to Jonathan, "Come on up here, and we'll teach you a lesson!" "Come on, climb right behind me," Jonathan said to his armor bearer, "for the LORD will help us defeat them!"
¹³ So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer killed those who came behind them.
¹⁴ They killed some twenty men in all, and their bodies were scattered over about half an acre.
¹⁵ Suddenly, panic broke out in the Philistine army, both in the camp and in the field, including even the outposts and raiding parties. And just then an earthquake struck, and everyone was terrified.
¹⁶ Saul's lookouts in Gibeah of Benjamin saw a strange sight ? the vast army of Philistines began to melt away in every direction.
¹⁷ "Call the roll and find out who's missing," Saul ordered. And when they checked, they found that Jonathan and his armor bearer were gone.
¹⁸ Then Saul shouted to Ahijah, "Bring the ephod here!" For at that time Ahijah was wearing the ephod in front of the Israelites.
¹⁹ But while Saul was talking to the priest, the confusion in the Philistine camp grew louder and louder. So Saul said to the priest, "Never mind; let's get going!"
²⁰ Then Saul and all his men rushed out to the battle and found the Philistines killing each other. There was terrible confusion everywhere.
²¹ Even the Hebrews who had previously gone over to the Philistine army revolted and joined in with Saul, Jonathan, and the rest of the Israelites.
²² Likewise, the men of Israel who were hiding in the hill country of Ephraim joined the chase when they saw the Philistines running away.
²³ So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle continued to rage even beyond Beth-aven.
²⁴ Now the men of Israel were pressed to exhaustion that day, because Saul had placed them under an oath, saying, "Let a curse fall on anyone who eats before evening ? before I have full revenge on my enemies." So no one ate anything all day,
²⁵ even though they had all found honeycomb on the ground in the forest.
²⁶ They didn't dare touch the honey because they all feared the oath they had taken.
²⁷ But Jonathan had not heard his father's command, and he dipped the end of his stick into a piece of honeycomb and ate the honey. After he had eaten it, he felt refreshed.
²⁸ But one of the men saw him and said, "Your father made the army take a strict oath that anyone who eats food today will be cursed. That is why everyone is weary and faint."
²⁹ "My father has made trouble for us all!" Jonathan exclaimed. "A command like that only hurts us. See how refreshed I am now that I have eaten this little bit of honey.
³⁰ If the men had been allowed to eat freely from the food they found among our enemies, think how many more Philistines we could have killed!"
³¹ They chased and killed the Philistines all day from Micmash to Aijalon, growing more and more faint.
³² That evening they rushed for the battle plunder and butchered the sheep, goats, cattle, and calves, but they ate them without draining the blood.
³³ Someone reported to Saul, "Look, the men are sinning against the LORD by eating meat that still has blood in it." "That is very wrong," Saul said. "Find a large stone and roll it over here.
³⁴ Then go out among the troops and tell them, 'Bring the cattle, sheep, and goats here to me. Kill them here, and drain the blood before you eat them. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.'" So that night all the troops brought their animals and slaughtered them there.
³⁵ Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first of the altars he built to the LORD.
³⁶ Then Saul said, "Let's chase the Philistines all night and plunder them until sunrise. Let's destroy every last one of them." His men replied, "We'll do whatever you think is best." But the priest said, "Let's ask God first."
³⁷ So Saul asked God, "Should we go after the Philistines? Will you help us defeat them?" But God made no reply that day.
³⁸ Then Saul said to the leaders, "Something's wrong! I want all my army commanders to come here. We must find out what sin was committed today.
³⁹ I vow by the name of the LORD who rescued Israel that the sinner will surely die, even if it is my own son Jonathan!" But no one would tell him what the trouble was.
⁴⁰ Then Saul said, "Jonathan and I will stand over here, and all of you stand over there." And the people responded to Saul, "Whatever you think is best."
⁴¹ Then Saul prayed, "O LORD, God of Israel, please show us who is guilty and who is innocent. " Then they cast sacred lots, and Jonathan and Saul were chosen as the guilty ones, and the people were declared innocent.
⁴² Then Saul said, "Now cast lots again and choose between me and Jonathan." And Jonathan was shown to be the guilty one.
⁴³ "Tell me what you have done," Saul demanded of Jonathan. "I tasted a little honey," Jonathan admitted. "It was only a little bit on the end of my stick. Does that deserve death?"
⁴⁴ "Yes, Jonathan," Saul said, "you must die! May God strike me and even kill me if you do not die for this."
⁴⁵ But the people broke in and said to Saul, "Jonathan has won this great victory for Israel. Should he die? Far from it! As surely as the LORD lives, not one hair on his head will be touched, for God helped him do a great deed today." So the people rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death.
⁴⁶ Then Saul called back the army from chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines returned home.
⁴⁷ Now when Saul had secured his grasp on Israel's throne, he fought against his enemies in every direction ? against Moab, Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. And wherever he turned, he was victorious.
⁴⁸ He performed great deeds and conquered the Amalekites, saving Israel from all those who had plundered them.
⁴⁹ Saul's sons included Jonathan, Ishbosheth, and Malkishua. He also had two daughters: Merab, who was older, and Michal.
⁵⁰ Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. The commander of Saul's army was Abner, the son of Saul's uncle Ner.
⁵¹ Saul's father, Kish, and Abner's father, Ner, were both sons of Abiel.
⁵² The Israelites fought constantly with the Philistines throughout Saul's lifetime. So whenever Saul observed a young man who was brave and strong, he drafted him into his army.