Now it came to pass upon a day{H3117}, that Jonathan{H3129} the son{H1121} of Saul{H7586} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto the young man{H5288} that bare{H5375}{(H8802)} his armour{H3627}, Come{H3212}{(H8798)}, and let us go over{H5674}{(H8799)} to the Philistines{H6430}' garrison{H4673}, that is on the other side{H5676}{H1975}. But he told{H5046}{(H8689)} not his father{H1}.

And Saul{H7586} tarried{H3427}{(H8802)} in the uttermost{H7097} part of Gibeah{H1390} under a pomegranate tree{H7416} which is in Migron{H4051}: and the people{H5971} that were with him were about six{H8337} hundred{H3967} men{H376};

And Ahiah{H281}, the son{H1121} of Ahitub{H285}, Ichabod's{H350} brother{H251}, the son{H1121} of Phinehas{H6372}, the son{H1121} of Eli{H5941}, the LORD'S{H3068} priest{H3548} in Shiloh{H7887}, wearing{H5375}{(H8802)} an ephod{H646}. And the people{H5971} knew{H3045}{(H8804)} not that Jonathan{H3129} was gone{H1980}{(H8804)}.

And between the passages{H4569}, by which Jonathan{H3129} sought{H1245}{(H8765)} to go over{H5674}{(H8800)} unto the Philistines{H6430}' garrison{H4673}, there was a sharp{H8127} rock{H5553} on the one side{H5676}, and a sharp{H8127} rock{H5553} on the other side{H5676}: and the name{H8034} of the one{H259} was Bozez{H949}, and the name{H8034} of the other{H259} Seneh{H5573}.

The forefront{H8127} of the one{H259} was situate{H4690} northward{H6828} over against{H4136} Michmash{H4363}, and the other{H259} southward{H5045} over against{H4136} Gibeah{H1387}.

And Jonathan{H3083} said{H559}{(H8799)} to the young man{H5288} that bare{H5375}{(H8802)} his armour{H3627}, Come{H3212}{(H8798)}, and let us go over{H5674}{(H8799)} unto the garrison{H4673} of these uncircumcised{H6189}: it may be that the LORD{H3068} will work{H6213}{(H8799)} for us: for there is no restraint{H4622} to the LORD{H3068} to save{H3467}{(H8687)} by many{H7227} or by few{H4592}.

And his armourbearer{H5375}{(H8802)}{H3627} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto him, Do{H6213}{(H8798)} all that is in thine heart{H3824}: turn{H5186}{(H8798)} thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart{H3824}.

Then said{H559}{(H8799)} Jonathan{H3083}, Behold, we will pass over{H5674}{(H8802)} unto these men{H582}, and we will discover{H1540}{(H8738)} ourselves unto them.

If they say{H559}{(H8799)} thus unto us, Tarry{H1826}{(H8798)} until we come{H5060}{(H8687)} to you; then we will stand still{H5975}{(H8804)} in our place, and will not go up{H5927}{(H8799)} unto them.

But if they say{H559}{(H8799)} thus, Come up{H5927}{(H8798)} unto us; then we will go up{H5927}{(H8804)}: for the LORD{H3068} hath delivered{H5414}{(H8804)} them into our hand{H3027}: and this shall be a sign{H226} unto us.

And both{H8147} of them discovered{H1540}{(H8735)} themselves unto the garrison{H4673} of the Philistines{H6430}: and the Philistines{H6430} said{H559}{(H8799)}, Behold, the Hebrews{H5680} come forth{H3318}{(H8802)} out of the holes{H2356} where they had hid{H2244}{(H8694)} themselves.

And the men{H582} of the garrison{H4675} answered{H6030}{(H8799)} Jonathan{H3129} and his armourbearer{H5375}{(H8802)}{H3627}, and said{H559}{(H8799)}, Come up{H5927}{(H8798)} to us, and we will shew{H3045}{(H8686)} you a thing{H1697}. And Jonathan{H3129} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto his armourbearer{H5375}{(H8802)}{H3627}, Come up{H5927}{(H8798)} after{H310} me: for the LORD{H3068} hath delivered{H5414}{(H8804)} them into the hand{H3027} of Israel{H3478}.

And Jonathan{H3129} climbed up{H5927}{(H8799)} upon his hands{H3027} and upon his feet{H7272}, and his armourbearer{H5375}{(H8802)}{H3627} after{H310} him: and they fell{H5307}{(H8799)} before{H6440} Jonathan{H3129}; and his armourbearer{H5375}{(H8802)}{H3627} slew{H4191}{(H8789)} after{H310} him.

And that first{H7223} slaughter{H4347}, which Jonathan{H3129} and his armourbearer{H5375}{(H8802)}{H3627} made{H5221}{(H8689)}, was about twenty{H6242} men{H376}, within as it were an half{H2677} acre{H4618} of land{H7704}, which a yoke{H6776} of oxen might plow.

And there was trembling{H2731} in the host{H4264}, in the field{H7704}, and among all the people{H5971}: the garrison{H4673}, and the spoilers{H7843}{(H8688)}, they also trembled{H2729}{(H8804)}, and the earth{H776} quaked{H7264}{(H8799)}: so it was a very great{H430} trembling{H2731}.

And the watchmen{H6822}{(H8802)} of Saul{H7586} in Gibeah{H1390} of Benjamin{H1144} looked{H7200}{(H8799)}; and, behold, the multitude{H1995} melted away{H4127}{(H8738)}, and they went{H3212}{(H8799)} on beating down{H1986}{(H8800)} one another.

Then said{H559}{(H8799)} Saul{H7586} unto the people{H5971} that were with him, Number{H6485}{(H8798)} now, and see{H7200}{(H8798)} who is gone{H1980}{(H8804)} from us. And when they had numbered{H6485}{(H8799)}, behold, Jonathan{H3129} and his armourbearer{H5375}{(H8802)}{H3627} were not there.

And Saul{H7586} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto Ahiah{H281}, Bring hither{H5066}{(H8685)} the ark{H727} of God{H430}. For the ark{H727} of God{H430} was at that time{H3117} with the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478}.

And it came to pass, while Saul{H7586} talked{H1696}{(H8765)} unto the priest{H3548}, that the noise{H1995} that was in the host{H4264} of the Philistines{H6430} went{H3212}{(H8799)} on{H1980}{(H8800)} and increased{H7227}: and Saul{H7586} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto the priest{H3548}, Withdraw{H622}{(H8798)} thine hand{H3027}.

And Saul{H7586} and all the people{H5971} that were with him assembled{H2199}{(H8735)} themselves, and they came{H935}{(H8799)} to the battle{H4421}: and, behold, every man's{H376} sword{H2719} was against his fellow{H7453}, and there was a very{H3966} great{H1419} discomfiture{H4103}.

Moreover the Hebrews{H5680} that were with the Philistines{H6430} before{H865} that time{H8032}, which went up{H5927}{(H8804)} with them into the camp{H4264} from the country round about{H5439}, even they also turned to be with the Israelites{H3478} that were with Saul{H7586} and Jonathan{H3129}.

Likewise all the men{H376} of Israel{H3478} which had hid{H2244}{(H8693)} themselves in mount{H2022} Ephraim{H669}, when they heard{H8085}{(H8804)} that the Philistines{H6430} fled{H5127}{(H8804)}, even they also followed hard{H1692}{(H8686)} after{H310} them in the battle{H4421}.

So the LORD{H3068} saved{H3467}{(H8686)} Israel{H3478} that day{H3117}: and the battle{H4421} passed over{H5674}{(H8804)} unto Bethaven{H1007}.

And the men{H376} of Israel{H3478} were distressed{H5065}{(H8738)} that day{H3117}: for Saul{H7586} had adjured{H422}{(H8686)} the people{H5971}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, Cursed{H779}{(H8803)} be the man{H376} that eateth{H398}{(H8799)} any food{H3899} until evening{H6153}, that I may be avenged{H5358}{(H8738)} on mine enemies{H341}{(H8802)}. So none of the people{H5971} tasted{H2938}{(H8804)} any food{H3899}.

And all they of the land{H776} came{H935}{(H8804)} to a wood{H3293}; and there was honey{H1706} upon{H6440} the ground{H7704}.

And when the people{H5971} were come{H935}{(H8799)} into the wood{H3293}, behold, the honey{H1706} dropped{H1982}; but no man put{H5381}{(H8688)} his hand{H3027} to his mouth{H6310}: for the people{H5971} feared{H3372}{(H8804)} the oath{H7621}.

But Jonathan{H3129} heard{H8085}{(H8804)} not when his father{H1} charged{H7650} the people{H5971} with the oath{H7650}{(H8687)}: wherefore he put forth{H7971}{(H8799)} the end{H7097} of the rod{H4294} that was in his hand{H3027}, and dipped{H2881}{(H8799)} it in an honeycomb{H3295}{H1706}, and put{H7725}{(H8686)} his hand{H3027} to his mouth{H6310}; and his eyes{H5869} were enlightened{H215}{(H8799)}.

Then answered{H6030}{(H8799)} one{H376} of the people{H5971}, and said{H559}{(H8799)}, Thy father{H1} straitly{H7650}{(H8687)} charged{H7650} the people{H5971} with an oath{H7650}{(H8689)}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, Cursed{H779}{(H8803)} be the man{H376} that eateth{H398}{(H8799)} any food{H3899} this day{H3117}. And the people{H5971} were faint{H5774}{(H8799)}.

Then said{H559}{(H8799)} Jonathan{H3129}, My father{H1} hath troubled{H5916}{(H8804)} the land{H776}: see{H7200}{(H8798)}, I pray you, how mine eyes{H5869} have been enlightened{H215}{(H8804)}, because I tasted{H2938}{(H8804)} a little{H4592} of this honey{H1706}.

How much more{H637}, if haply{H3863} the people{H5971} had eaten{H398}{(H8804)} freely{H398}{(H8800)} to day{H3117} of the spoil{H7998} of their enemies{H341}{(H8802)} which they found{H4672}{(H8804)}? for had there not been now a much greater{H7235}{(H8804)} slaughter{H4347} among the Philistines{H6430}?

And they smote{H5221}{(H8686)} the Philistines{H6430} that day{H3117} from Michmash{H4363} to Aijalon{H357}: and the people{H5971} were very{H3966} faint{H5774}{(H8799)}.

And the people{H5971} flew{H5860}{(H8799)}{H6213}{(H8799)} upon the spoil{H7998}, and took{H3947}{(H8799)} sheep{H6629}, and oxen{H1241}, and calves{H1121}, and slew{H7819}{(H8799)} them on the ground{H776}: and the people{H5971} did eat{H398}{(H8799)} them with the blood{H1818}.

Then they told{H5046}{(H8686)} Saul{H7586}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, Behold, the people{H5971} sin{H2398}{(H8802)} against the LORD{H3068}, in that they eat{H398}{(H8800)} with the blood{H1818}. And he said{H559}{(H8799)}, Ye have transgressed{H898}{(H8804)}: roll{H1556}{(H8798)} a great{H1419} stone{H68} unto me this day{H3117}.

And Saul{H7586} said{H559}{(H8799)}, Disperse{H6327}{(H8798)} yourselves among the people{H5971}, and say{H559}{(H8804)} unto them, Bring me hither{H5066}{(H8685)} every man{H376} his ox{H7794}, and every man{H376} his sheep{H7716}, and slay{H7819}{(H8804)} them here, and eat{H398}{(H8804)}; and sin{H2398}{(H8799)} not against the LORD{H3068} in eating{H398}{(H8800)} with the blood{H1818}. And all the people{H5971} brought{H5066}{(H8686)} every man{H376} his ox{H7794} with him{H3027} that night{H3915}, and slew{H7819}{(H8799)} them there.

And Saul{H7586} built{H1129}{(H8799)} an altar{H4196} unto the LORD{H3068}: the same was the first{H2490}{(H8689)} altar{H4196} that he built{H1129}{(H8800)} unto the LORD{H3068}.

And Saul{H7586} said{H559}{(H8799)}, Let us go down{H3381}{(H8799)} after{H310} the Philistines{H6430} by night{H3915}, and spoil{H962}{(H8799)} them until the morning{H1242} light{H216}, and let us not leave{H7604}{(H8686)} a man{H376} of them. And they said{H559}{(H8799)}, Do{H6213}{(H8798)} whatsoever seemeth{H5869} good{H2896} unto thee. Then said{H559}{(H8799)} the priest{H3548}, Let us draw near{H7126}{(H8799)} hither{H1988} unto God{H430}.

And Saul{H7586} asked{H7592}{(H8799)} counsel of God{H430}, Shall I go down{H3381}{(H8799)} after{H310} the Philistines{H6430}? wilt thou deliver{H5414}{(H8799)} them into the hand{H3027} of Israel{H3478}? But he answered{H6030}{(H8804)} him not that day{H3117}.

And Saul{H7586} said{H559}{(H8799)}, Draw ye near{H5066}{(H8798)} hither{H1988}, all the chief{H6438} of the people{H5971}: and know{H3045}{(H8798)} and see{H7200}{(H8798)} wherein{H4100} this sin{H2403} hath been this day{H3117}.

For, as the LORD{H3068} liveth{H2416}, which saveth{H3467}{(H8688)} Israel{H3478}, though it be{H3426} in Jonathan{H3129} my son{H1121}, he shall surely{H4191}{(H8800)} die{H4191}{(H8799)}. But there was not a man among all the people{H5971} that answered{H6030}{(H8802)} him.

Then said{H559}{(H8799)} he unto all Israel{H3478}, Be ye on one{H259} side{H5676}, and I and Jonathan{H3129} my son{H1121} will be on the other{H259} side{H5676}. And the people{H5971} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto Saul{H7586}, Do{H6213}{(H8798)} what seemeth{H5869} good{H2896} unto thee.

Therefore Saul{H7586} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto the LORD{H3068} God{H430} of Israel{H3478}, Give{H3051}{(H8798)} a perfect{H8549} lot. And Saul{H7586} and Jonathan{H3129} were taken{H3920}{(H8735)}: but the people{H5971} escaped{H3318}{(H8804)}.

And Saul{H7586} said{H559}{(H8799)}, Cast{H5307}{(H8685)} lots between me and Jonathan{H3129} my son{H1121}. And Jonathan{H3129} was taken{H3920}{(H8735)}.

Then Saul{H7586} said{H559}{(H8799)} to Jonathan{H3129}, Tell{H5046}{(H8685)} me what thou hast done{H6213}{(H8804)}. And Jonathan{H3129} told{H5046}{(H8686)} him, and said{H559}{(H8799)}, I did but{H2938}{(H8800)} taste{H2938}{(H8804)} a little{H4592} honey{H1706} with the end{H7097} of the rod{H4294} that was in mine hand{H3027}, and, lo{H2009}, I must die{H4191}{(H8799)}.

And Saul{H7586} answered{H559}{(H8799)}, God{H430} do so{H6213}{(H8799)} and more also{H3254}{(H8686)}: for thou shalt surely{H4191}{(H8800)} die{H4191}{(H8799)}, Jonathan{H3129}.

And the people{H5971} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto Saul{H7586}, Shall Jonathan{H3129} die{H4191}{(H8799)}, who hath wrought{H6213}{(H8804)} this great{H1419} salvation{H3444} in Israel{H3478}? God forbid{H2486}: as the LORD{H3068} liveth{H2416}, there shall not one hair{H8185} of his head{H7218} fall{H5307}{(H8799)} to the ground{H776}; for he hath wrought{H6213}{(H8804)} with God{H430} this day{H3117}. So the people{H5971} rescued{H6299}{(H8799)} Jonathan{H3129}, that he died{H4191}{(H8804)} not.

Then Saul{H7586} went up{H5927}{(H8799)} from following{H310} the Philistines{H6430}: and the Philistines{H6430} went{H1980}{(H8804)} to their own place{H4725}.

So Saul{H7586} took{H3920}{(H8804)} the kingdom{H4410} over Israel{H3478}, and fought{H3898}{(H8735)} against all his enemies{H341}{(H8802)} on every side{H5439}, against Moab{H4124}, and against the children{H1121} of Ammon{H5983}, and against Edom{H123}, and against the kings{H4428} of Zobah{H6678}, and against the Philistines{H6430}: and whithersoever he turned{H6437}{(H8799)} himself, he vexed{H7561}{(H8686)} them.

And he gathered{H6213}{(H8799)} an host{H2428}, and smote{H5221}{(H8686)} the Amalekites{H6002}, and delivered{H5337}{(H8686)} Israel{H3478} out of the hands{H3027} of them that spoiled{H8154}{(H8802)} them.

Now the sons{H1121} of Saul{H7586} were Jonathan{H3129}, and Ishui{H3440}, and Melchishua{H4444}: and the names{H8034} of his two{H8147} daughters{H1323} were these; the name{H8034} of the firstborn{H1067} Merab{H4764}, and the name{H8034} of the younger{H6996} Michal{H4324}:

And the name{H8034} of Saul's{H7586} wife{H802} was Ahinoam{H293}, the daughter{H1323} of Ahimaaz{H290}: and the name{H8034} of the captain{H8269} of his host{H6635} was Abner{H74}, the son{H1121} of Ner{H5369}, Saul's{H7586} uncle{H1730}.

And Kish{H7027} was the father{H1} of Saul{H7586}; and Ner{H5369} the father{H1} of Abner{H74} was the son{H1121} of Abiel{H22}.

And there was sore{H2389} war{H4421} against the Philistines{H6430} all the days{H3117} of Saul{H7586}: and when Saul{H7586} saw{H7200}{(H8804)} any strong{H1368} man{H376}, or any valiant{H2428} man{H1121}, he took{H622}{(H8799)} him unto him.