Jonathan’s Raid on the Philistine Outpost
1One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man carrying his weapons, “Come, let’s cross over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. 2Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah, under the pomegranate tree in Migron. He had about six hundred men with him, 3including Ahijah, who was wearing the ephod. Ahijah was the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of Yahweh at Shiloh. No one knew that Jonathan had gone. 4On each side of the pass Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost, there was a cliff — one named Bozez, the other Seneh. 5One cliff stood to the north, facing Michmash; the other stood to the south, facing Geba. 6Jonathan said to the young man carrying his weapons, “Come, let’s cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps Yahweh will act on our behalf — nothing can hinder Yahweh from saving, whether by many or by few.” 7His armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead — I am with you, whatever you decide.” 8Jonathan said, “Come on, then. We will cross over to them and let them see us. 9If they say, ‘Wait there until we reach you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them. 10But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will go up, because that will be our sign that Yahweh has given them into our hands.” 11So both of them let themselves be seen by the Philistine outpost. The Philistines said, “Look, Hebrews are coming out of the holes they have been hiding in.” 12The men of the outpost called out to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up to us, and we’ll teach you a lesson.” Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me, for Yahweh has given them into the hand of Israel.” 13Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed, finishing them off. 14In this first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men, in an area about half an acre in size. 15Then panic broke out among the troops in the field and throughout the whole army; even the outpost and the raiders were seized with panic. The ground itself shook, and it became a panic sent by God. 16Saul’s lookouts at Gibeah of Benjamin saw the enemy camp melting away and scattering in every direction. 17Saul said to the troops with him, “Muster the men and see who has left us.” When they mustered them, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. 18Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (At that time the ark of God was with the Israelites.) 19While Saul was speaking to the priest, the confusion in the Philistine camp kept growing louder and louder. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” 20Then Saul and all his troops rallied and went into the battle, and there they found the Philistines in complete confusion, striking each other with their swords. 21Now the Hebrews who had previously joined the Philistines and had gone up with them into their camp turned and joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22And all the men of Israel who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, and they too joined the pursuit. 23So Yahweh saved Israel that day, and the fighting spread beyond Beth-aven.
Saul’s Rash Oath
24Now the men of Israel were worn out that day, because Saul had bound the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is anyone who eats food before evening, before I have avenged myself on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted food. 25The entire army entered the forest, where there was honey on the ground. 26When the troops went into the forest, they saw the honey oozing out, yet no one put a hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. 27But Jonathan had not heard his father bind the troops with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened. 28Then one of the troops said, “Your father strictly bound the troops with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed is anyone who eats food today.’ That is why the troops are faint.” 29Jonathan said, “My father has brought trouble on the land. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey. 30How much better it would have been if the troops had eaten freely today from the plunder they took from their enemies! Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?” 31That day, after they had struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, the troops were exhausted. 32So they rushed on the plunder, seized sheep and cattle and calves, slaughtered them on the ground, and ate them with the blood still in them. 33Then someone told Saul, “Look, the troops are sinning against Yahweh by eating meat with the blood still in it.” “You have broken faith,” he said. “Roll a large stone over here at once.” 34Then Saul said, “Go out among the troops and tell them, ‘Each of you bring me your ox or your sheep, and slaughter it here and eat it. Do not sin against Yahweh by eating meat with the blood in it.’” So that night everyone brought his ox with him and slaughtered it there. 35Then Saul built an altar to Yahweh; it was the first altar he built to Yahweh. 36Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines tonight and plunder them until dawn, and let us not leave a single one of them alive.” “Do whatever seems good to you,” they replied. But the priest said, “Let us first inquire of God here.” 37So Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into Israel’s hand?” But God did not answer him that day. 38Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the troops, and let us find out what sin has been committed today. 39As surely as Yahweh lives, who saves Israel, even if the guilt lies with my son Jonathan, he must surely die.” But not one of the troops said a word. 40Then Saul said to all Israel, “You stand on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will stand on the other.” The troops replied, “Do whatever seems good to you.” 41Then Saul prayed to Yahweh, the God of Israel, “Give a true answer.” And Jonathan and Saul were indicated by lot, while the rest of the troops were cleared of guilt. 42Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was indicated. 43Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” Jonathan told him, “I only tasted a little honey with the end of the staff in my hand. And now I must die?” 44Saul said, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you do not die, Jonathan.” 45But the troops said to Saul, “Should Jonathan die — he who won this great victory for Israel? Never! As surely as Yahweh lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.” So the troops rescued Jonathan, and he did not die. 46Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and they withdrew to their own territory.
Saul’s Wars and Family
47After Saul had established his rule over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side — against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted defeat. 48He fought bravely and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of those who had plundered them. 49Saul’s sons were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. His two daughters were named Merab, the older, and Michal, the younger. 50Saul’s wife was named Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The commander of his army was Abner son of Ner, Saul’s uncle. 51Kish, Saul’s father, and Ner, Abner’s father, were sons of Abiel. 52There was fierce fighting against the Philistines throughout Saul’s lifetime, and whenever Saul saw any mighty or valiant man, he took him into his service.
