Jonathan’s Victory over the Philistines

1  וַיְהִ֣י (And it came to pass) הַיּ֗וֹם (one day), וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (that said) יוֹנָתָ֤ן (Jonathan) בֶּן־ (son) שָׁאוּל֙ (of Saul) אֶל־ (to) הַנַּ֙עַר֙ (the young man) נֹשֵׂ֣א (who bore) כֵלָ֔יו (his armor), לְכָ֗ה (Come), וְנַעְבְּרָה֙ (and let us pass over) אֶל־ (to) מַצַּ֣ב (the garrison) פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (of the Philistines) אֲשֶׁ֖ר (that is) מֵעֵ֣בֶר (on other side) הַלָּ֑ז (this). וּלְאָבִ֖יו (And his father) לֹ֥א (not) הִגִּֽיד׃ (he did tell).

2  וְשָׁא֗וּל (And Saul) יוֹשֵׁב֙ (was sitting) בִּקְצֵ֣ה (in the outskirts) הַגִּבְעָ֔ה (of Gibeah) תַּ֥חַת (under) הָרִמּ֖וֹן (the pomegranate tree) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (that is) בְּמִגְר֑וֹן (in Migron), וְהָעָם֙ (and the people) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (who were) עִמּ֔וֹ (with him) כְּשֵׁ֥שׁ (about six) מֵא֖וֹת (hundred) אִֽישׁ׃ (men). 3  וַאֲחִיָּ֣ה (And Ahijah), בֶן־ (son) אֲחִט֡וּב (of Ahitub), אֲחִ֡י (brother) אִיכָב֣וֹד׀ (of Ichabod), בֶּן־ (son) פִּינְחָ֨ס (of Phinehas), בֶּן־ (son) עֵלִ֜י (of Eli) כֹּהֵ֧ן׀ (priest) יְהוָ֛ה (of YHWH) בְּשִׁל֖וֹ (in Shiloh), נֹשֵׂ֣א (was wearing) אֵפ֑וֹד (an ephod). וְהָעָם֙ (And the people) לֹ֣א (not) יָדַ֔ע (did know) כִּ֥י (that) הָלַ֖ךְ (had gone) יוֹנָתָֽן׃ (Jonathan).

4  וּבֵ֣ין (And between) הַֽמַּעְבְּר֗וֹת (the passes) אֲשֶׁ֨ר (by which) בִּקֵּ֤שׁ (sought) יֽוֹנָתָן֙ (Jonathan) לַֽעֲבֹר֙ (to pass over) עַל־ (to) מַצַּ֣ב (the garrison) פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (of the Philistines) שֵׁן־ (was sharp) הַסֶּ֤לַע (the rock) מֵהָעֵ֙בֶר֙ (on the side) מִזֶּ֔ה (this) וְשֵׁן־ (and sharp) הַסֶּ֥לַע (the rock) מֵהָעֵ֖בֶר (on the side) מִזֶּ֑ה (this)— וְשֵׁ֤ם (and the name) הָֽאֶחָד֙ (of one) בּוֹצֵ֔ץ (Bozez), וְשֵׁ֥ם (and the name) הָאֶחָ֖ד (of one) סֶֽנֶּה׃ (Seneh). 5  הַשֵּׁ֧ן (The front) הָאֶחָ֛ד (of one) מָצ֥וּק (faced) מִצָּפ֖וֹן (northward) מ֣וּל (opposite) מִכְמָ֑שׂ (Michmash), וְהָאֶחָ֥ד (and one) מִנֶּ֖גֶב (southward) מ֥וּל (opposite) גָּֽבַע׃ס (Geba).

6  וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (And said) יְהוֹנָתָ֜ן (Jonathan) אֶל־ (to) הַנַּ֣עַר׀ (the young man) נֹשֵׂ֣א (who bore) כֵלָ֗יו (his armor), לְכָה֙ (Come) וְנַעְבְּרָ֗ה (and let us pass over) אֶל־ (to) מַצַּב֙ (the garrison) הָעֲרֵלִ֣ים (of the uncircumcised) הָאֵ֔לֶּה (these). אוּלַ֛י (Perhaps) יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה (will work) יְהוָ֖ה (YHWH) לָ֑נוּ (for us), כִּ֣י (for) אֵ֤ין (nothing) לַֽיהוָה֙ (YHWH) מַעְצ֔וֹר (can restrain) לְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַ (from saving) בְּרַ֖ב (by many) א֥וֹ (or) בִמְעָֽט׃ (by few).

7  וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (And said) לוֹ֙ (to him) נֹשֵׂ֣א (the bearer) כֵלָ֔יו (of his armor), עֲשֵׂ֖ה (Do) כָּל־ (all) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (that is) בִּלְבָבֶ֑ךָ (in your heart); נְטֵ֣ה (turn) לָ֔ךְ (for yourself). הִנְנִ֥י (Behold) עִמְּךָ֖ (I am with you) כִּלְבָבֶֽךָ׃ס (according to your heart).

8  וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (And said) יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן (Jonathan), הִנֵּ֛ה (Behold), אֲנַ֥חְנוּ (we) עֹבְרִ֖ים (will pass over) אֶל־ (to) הָאֲנָשִׁ֑ים (the men) וְנִגְלִ֖ינוּ (and we will show ourselves) אֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ (to them). 9  אִם־ (If) כֹּ֤ה (thus) יֹֽאמְרוּ֙ (they say) אֵלֵ֔ינוּ (to us), דֹּ֕מּוּ (Wait) עַד־ (until) הַגִּיעֵ֖נוּ (we come) אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם (to you⁺), וְעָמַ֣דְנוּ (and we will stand still) תַחְתֵּ֔ינוּ (in our place), וְלֹ֥א (and not) נַעֲלֶ֖ה (go up) אֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ (to them). 10  וְאִם־ (But if) כֹּ֨ה (thus) יֹאמְר֜וּ (they say), עֲל֤וּ (Come up) עָלֵ֙ינוּ֙ (to us), וְעָלִ֔ינוּ (and we will go up), כִּֽי־ (for) נְתָנָ֥ם (has delivered them) יְהוָ֖ה (YHWH) בְּיָדֵ֑נוּ (into our hands), וְזֶה־ (and this is) לָּ֖נוּ (to us) הָאֽוֹת׃ (a sign).

11  וַיִּגָּל֣וּ (And showed themselves) שְׁנֵיהֶ֔ם (the two of them) אֶל־ (to) מַצַּ֖ב (the garrison) פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים (of the Philistines), וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (and said) פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (the Philistines), הִנֵּ֤ה (Behold), עִבְרִים֙ (the Hebrews) יֹֽצְאִ֔ים (are coming) מִן־ (out) הַחֹרִ֖ים (of the holes) אֲשֶׁ֥ר (where) הִתְחַבְּאוּ־ (they have hidden) שָֽׁם׃ (there).

12  וַיַּעֲנוּ֩ (And called) אַנְשֵׁ֨י (the men) הַמַּצָּבָ֜ה (of the garrison) אֶת־ (-) יוֹנָתָ֣ן׀ (to Jonathan) וְאֶת־ (and) נֹשֵׂ֣א (and the bearer) כֵלָ֗יו (of his armor), וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ (and said), עֲל֣וּ (Come up) אֵלֵ֔ינוּ (to us), וְנוֹדִ֥יעָה (and we will show) אֶתְכֶ֖ם (you⁺) דָּבָ֑ר פ (something).

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (And said) יוֹנָתָ֜ן (Jonathan) אֶל־ (to) נֹשֵׂ֤א (the bearer) כֵלָיו֙ (of his armor), עֲלֵ֣ה (Come up) אַחֲרַ֔י (after me), כִּֽי־ (for) נְתָנָ֥ם (has delivered them) יְהוָ֖ה (YHWH) בְּיַ֥ד (into the hand) יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (of Israel).

13  וַיַּ֣עַל (And climbed up) יוֹנָתָ֗ן (Jonathan) עַל־ (on) יָדָיו֙ (his hands) וְעַל־ (and on) רַגְלָ֔יו (his feet), וְנֹשֵׂ֥א (and the bearer) כֵלָ֖יו (of his armor) אַחֲרָ֑יו (after him), וַֽיִּפְּלוּ֙ (and they fell) לִפְנֵ֣י (before the face of) יוֹנָתָ֔ן (Jonathan), וְנֹשֵׂ֥א (and the bearer) כֵלָ֖יו (of his armor) מְמוֹתֵ֥ת (killed them) אַחֲרָֽיו׃ (after him). 14  וַתְּהִ֞י (And was) הַמַּכָּ֣ה (that slaughter) הָרִאשֹׁנָ֗ה (first) אֲשֶׁ֨ר (that) הִכָּ֧ה (struck) יוֹנָתָ֛ן (Jonathan) וְנֹשֵׂ֥א (and the bearer) כֵלָ֖יו (of his armor) כְּעֶשְׂרִ֣ים (about twenty) אִ֑ישׁ (men) כְּבַחֲצִ֥י (in about half) מַעֲנָ֖ה (a furrow) צֶ֥מֶד (of a yoke) שָׂדֶֽה׃ (of land).

15  וַתְּהִי֩ (And there was) חֲרָדָ֨ה (trembling) בַמַּחֲנֶ֤ה (in the camp), בַשָּׂדֶה֙ (in the field), וּבְכָל־ (and among all) הָעָ֔ם (the people) הַמַּצָּב֙ (in the garrison), וְהַמַּשְׁחִ֔ית (and the raiders) חָרְד֖וּ (trembled)— גַּם־ (even) הֵ֑מָּה (they)— וַתִּרְגַּ֣ז (and quaked) הָאָ֔רֶץ (the earth). וַתְּהִ֖י (And it became) לְחֶרְדַּ֥ת (a trembling) אֱלֹהִֽים׃ (from God).

16  וַיִּרְא֤וּ (And looked) הַצֹּפִים֙ (the watchmen) לְשָׁא֔וּל (of Saul) בְּגִבְעַ֖ת (in Gibeah) בִּנְיָמִ֑ן (of Benjamin), וְהִנֵּ֧ה (and there was) הֶהָמ֛וֹן (the multitude) נָמ֖וֹג (melting away), וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ (and it went here) וַהֲלֹֽם׃פ (and there). 17  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And said) שָׁא֗וּל (Saul) לָעָם֙ (to the people) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (who were) אִתּ֔וֹ (with him), פִּקְדוּ־ (Call the roll) נָ֣א (now), וּרְא֔וּ (and see) מִ֖י (who) הָלַ֣ךְ (has gone) מֵעִמָּ֑נוּ (from us),

וַֽיִּפְקְד֔וּ (and they had called the roll), וְהִנֵּ֛ה (and behold), אֵ֥ין (were not there) יוֹנָתָ֖ן (Jonathan) וְנֹשֵׂ֥א (and the bearer) כֵלָֽיו׃ (of his armor).

18  וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (And said) שָׁאוּל֙ (Saul) לַֽאֲחִיָּ֔ה (to Ahijah), הַגִּ֖ישָׁה (Bring here) אֲר֣וֹן (the ark) הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים (of God). כִּֽי־ (For) הָיָ֞ה (was) אֲר֧וֹן (the ark) הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים (of God) בַּיּ֥וֹם (at the time) הַה֖וּא (that) וּבְנֵ֥י (and with the sons) יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (of Israel). 19  וַיְהִ֗י (And it came to pass), עַ֣ד (while) דִּבֶּ֤ר (talked) שָׁאוּל֙ (Saul) אֶל־ (to) הַכֹּהֵ֔ן (the priest), וְהֶהָמ֗וֹן (that the noise) אֲשֶׁר֙ (that was) בְּמַחֲנֵ֣ה (in the camp) פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (of the Philistines) וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ (and went on), הָל֖וֹךְ (going on) וָרָ֑ב פ (and increasing). וַיֹּ֧אמֶר (And said) שָׁא֛וּל (Saul) אֶל־ (to) הַכֹּהֵ֖ן (the priest), אֱסֹ֥ף (Withdraw) יָדֶֽךָ׃ (your hand).

20  וַיִּזָּעֵ֣ק (And assembled) שָׁא֗וּל (Saul) וְכָל־ (and all) הָעָם֙ (the people) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (who were) אִתּ֔וֹ (with him), וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ (and they went) עַד־ (to) הַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה (the battle). וְהִנֵּ֨ה (And behold), הָיְתָ֜ה (was) חֶ֤רֶב (the sword) אִישׁ֙ (of every man) בְּרֵעֵ֔הוּ (against his neighbor)— מְהוּמָ֖ה (confusion) גְּדוֹלָ֥ה (great) מְאֹֽד׃ (very). 21  וְהָעִבְרִ֗ים (And the Hebrews) הָי֤וּ (who were) לַפְּלִשְׁתִּים֙ (with the Philistines) כְּאֶתְמ֣וֹל (before) שִׁלְשׁ֔וֹם (that time), אֲשֶׁ֨ר (who) עָל֥וּ (went up) עִמָּ֛ם (with them) בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה (into the camp) סָבִ֑יב (from all around), וְגַם־ (even) הֵ֗מָּה (they) לִֽהְיוֹת֙ (were) עִם־ (with) יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (Israel), אֲשֶׁ֥ר (who were) עִם־ (with) שָׁא֖וּל (Saul) וְיוֹנָתָֽן׃ (and Jonathan). 22  וְכֹל֩ (And all) אִ֨ישׁ (the men) יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל (of Israel) הַמִּֽתְחַבְּאִ֤ים (who had hidden) בְּהַר־ (in the hill country) אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙ (of Ephraim), שָֽׁמְע֔וּ (they heard) כִּֽי־ (that) נָ֖סוּ (had fled) פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים (the Philistines), וַֽיַּדְבְּק֥וּ (and they pursued) גַם־ (also) הֵ֛מָּה (they) אַחֲרֵיהֶ֖ם (after them) בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ (in the battle).

23  וַיּ֧וֹשַׁע (And saved) יְהוָ֛ה (YHWH) בַּיּ֥וֹם (day) הַה֖וּא (that) אֶת־ (-) יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (Israel), וְהַ֨מִּלְחָמָ֔ה (and the battle) עָבְרָ֖ה (shifted) אֶת־ (to) בֵּ֥ית (beyond Beth-) אָֽוֶן׃ (aven).

Jonathan Eats the Honey

24  וְאִֽישׁ־ (And the men) יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל (of Israel) נִגַּ֖שׂ (were distressed) בַּיּ֣וֹם (day) הַה֑וּא (that), וַיֹּאֶל֩ (and had adjured) שָׁא֨וּל (Saul) אֶת־ (-) הָעָ֜ם (the people), לֵאמֹ֗ר (saying), אָר֣וּר (Cursed is) הָ֠אִישׁ (the man) אֲשֶׁר־ (who) יֹ֨אכַל (eats) לֶ֜חֶם (food) עַד־ (before) הָעֶ֗רֶב (the evening) וְנִקַּמְתִּי֙ (and I have taken vengeance) מֵאֹ֣יְבַ֔י (on my enemies). וְלֹֽא (And none) טָעַ֥ם (tasted) כָּל־ (of all) הָעָ֖ם (the people) לָֽחֶם׃ס (food).

25  וְכָל־ (And the whole) הָאָ֖רֶץ (land) בָּ֣אוּ (came) בַיָּ֑עַר (into the forest), וַיְהִ֥י (and there was) דְבַ֖שׁ (honey) עַל־ (on) פְּנֵ֥י (the face) הַשָּׂדֶֽה׃ (of the ground). 26  וַיָּבֹ֤א (And had come) הָעָם֙ (the people) אֶל־ (into) הַיַּ֔עַר (the forest), וְהִנֵּ֖ה (and there was) הֵ֣לֶךְ (dripping) דְּבָ֑שׁ (the honey), וְאֵין־ (and no one) מַשִּׂ֤יג (put) יָדוֹ֙ (his hand) אֶל־ (to) פִּ֔יו (his mouth). כִּֽי־ (For) יָרֵ֥א (feared) הָעָ֖ם (the people) אֶת־ (-) הַשְּׁבֻעָֽה׃ (the oath).

27  וְיוֹנָתָ֣ן (And Jonathan) לֹֽא־ (not) שָׁמַ֗ע (had heard) בְּהַשְׁבִּ֣יעַ (had adjured) אָבִיו֮ (that his father) אֶת־ (-) הָעָם֒ (the people), וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח (and he stretched out) אֶת־ (-) קְצֵ֤ה (the end) הַמַּטֶּה֙ (of the rod) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (that was) בְּיָד֔וֹ (in his hand), וַיִּטְבֹּ֥ל (and dipped) אוֹתָ֖הּ (it) בְּיַעְרַ֣ת (in) הַדְּבָ֑שׁ (a honeycomb), וַיָּ֤שֶׁב (and put) יָדוֹ֙ (his hand) אֶל־ (to) פִּ֔יו (his mouth); וַתָּרֹאנָה (and were enlightened) עֵינָֽיו׃ (his eyes). 28  וַיַּעַן֩ (And answered) אִ֨ישׁ (a man) מֵֽהָעָ֜ם (of the people) וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (and said), הַשְׁבֵּעַ֩ (Adjuring) הִשְׁבִּ֨יעַ (adjured) אָבִ֤יךָ (your father) אֶת־ (-) הָעָם֙ (the people) לֵאמֹ֔ר (saying), אָר֥וּר (Cursed is) הָאִ֛ישׁ (the man) אֲשֶׁר־ (who) יֹ֥אכַל (eats) לֶ֖חֶם (food) הַיּ֑וֹם (this day). וַיָּ֖עַף (And were faint) הָעָֽם׃ (the people).

29  וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (And said) יֽוֹנָתָ֔ן (Jonathan), עָכַ֥ר (Has troubled) אָבִ֖י (my father) אֶת־ (-) הָאָ֑רֶץ (the land). רְאוּ־ (Behold) נָא֙ (now), כִּֽי־ (how) אֹ֣רוּ (have been enlightened) עֵינַ֔י (my eyes) כִּ֣י (because) טָעַ֔מְתִּי (I tasted) מְעַ֖ט (a little) דְּבַ֥שׁ (of honey) הַזֶּֽה׃ (this). 30  אַ֗ף (How much better) כִּ֡י (that) לוּא֩ (if) אָכֹ֨ל (eating) אָכַ֤ל (had eaten) הַיּוֹם֙ (today) הָעָ֔ם (the people) מִשְּׁלַ֥ל (of the spoil) אֹיְבָ֖יו (of their enemies) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (that) מָצָ֑א (they found)? כִּ֥י (For) עַתָּ֛ה (now) לֹֽא־ (not) רָבְתָ֥ה (would there have been a much greater) מַכָּ֖ה (slaughter) בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ (among the Philistines)?

31  וַיַּכּ֞וּ (And they had driven back) בַּיּ֤וֹם (day) הַהוּא֙ (that) בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (the Philistines) מִמִּכְמָ֖שׂ (from Michmash) אַיָּלֹ֑נָה (to Aijalon). וַיָּ֥עַף (And were faint) הָעָ֖ם (the people) מְאֹֽד׃ (very). 32  וַיַּעַשׂ (And rushed) הָעָם֙ (the people) אֶל־ (on) שָׁלָל (the spoil), וַיִּקְח֨וּ (and they took) צֹ֧אן (sheep) וּבָקָ֛ר (and oxen) וּבְנֵ֥י (and sons) בָקָ֖ר (of the herd), וַיִּשְׁחֲטוּ־ (and slaughtered them) אָ֑רְצָה (on the ground); וַיֹּ֥אכַל (and ate them) הָעָ֖ם (the people) עַל־ (with) הַדָּֽם׃ (the blood).

33  וַיַּגִּ֤ידוּ (And they declared) לְשָׁאוּל֙ (to Saul), לֵאמֹ֔ר (saying), הִנֵּ֥ה (Behold), הָעָ֛ם (the people) חֹטִ֥אים (are sinning) לַֽיהוָ֖ה (against YHWH) לֶאֱכֹ֣ל (by eating) עַל־ (with) הַדָּ֑ם (the blood).

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And he said), בְּגַדְתֶּ֔ם (You⁺ have dealt treacherously). גֹּֽלּוּ־ (Roll) אֵלַ֥י (to me) הַיּ֖וֹם (this day) אֶ֥בֶן (a stone) גְּדוֹלָֽה׃ (large). 34  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And said) שָׁא֣וּל (Saul), פֻּ֣צוּ (Be you scattered) בָעָ֡ם (among the people), וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֣ם (and say) לָהֶ֡ם (to them) הַגִּ֣ישׁוּ (Bring) אֵלַי֩ (to me here) אִ֨ישׁ (every man’s) שׁוֹר֜וֹ (ox), וְאִ֣ישׁ (and every man’s) שְׂיֵ֗הוּ (sheep), וּשְׁחַטְתֶּ֤ם (and slaughter them) בָּזֶה֙ (in this place), וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֔ם (and eat), וְלֹֽא־ (and not) תֶחֶטְא֥וּ (do sin) לַֽיהוָ֖ה (against YHWH) לֶאֱכֹ֣ל (by eating) אֶל־ (with) הַדָּ֑ם (the blood).

וַיַּגִּ֨שׁוּ (And brought) כָל־ (all) הָעָ֜ם (the people) אִ֣ישׁ (everyone) שׁוֹר֧וֹ (his ox) בְיָד֛וֹ (in his hand) הַלַּ֖יְלָה (that night), וַיִּשְׁחֲטוּ־ (and slaughtered it) שָֽׁם׃ (there). 35  וַיִּ֧בֶן (And built) שָׁא֛וּל (Saul) מִזְבֵּ֖חַ (an altar) לַֽיהוָ֑ה (to YHWH); אֹת֣וֹ (-) הֵחֵ֔ל (it was the first) לִבְנ֥וֹת (that he built) מִזְבֵּ֖חַ (altar) לַֽיהוָֽה׃פ (to YHWH).

36  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And said), שָׁא֡וּל (Saul) נֵרְדָ֣ה (Let us go down) אַחֲרֵי֩ (after) פְלִשְׁתִּ֨ים׀ (the Philistines) לַ֜יְלָה (by night), וְֽנָבֹ֥זָה (and plunder) בָהֶ֣ם׀ (them) עַד־ (until) א֣וֹר (the light) הַבֹּ֗קֶר (of the morning), וְלֹֽא־ (and not) נַשְׁאֵ֤ר (let us leave) בָּהֶם֙ (of them) אִ֔ישׁ (a man).

וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ (And they said), כָּל־ (All) הַטּ֥וֹב (that is good) בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ (in your eyes), עֲשֵׂ֑הס (do).

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (And said) הַכֹּהֵ֔ן (the priest), נִקְרְבָ֥ה (Let us draw near) הֲלֹ֖ם (here) אֶל־ (to) הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃ (God).

The People Save Jonathan

37  וַיִּשְׁאַ֤ל (And inquired) שָׁאוּל֙ (Saul) בֵּֽאלֹהִ֔ים (of God), הַֽאֵרֵד֙ (Shall I go down) אַחֲרֵ֣י (after) פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (the Philistines)? הֲתִתְּנֵ֖ם (Will You give them) בְּיַ֣ד (into the hand) יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (of Israel)?

וְלֹ֥א (Not) עָנָ֖הוּ (He did answer him) בַּיּ֥וֹם (on the day) הַהֽוּא׃ (that).

38  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And said) שָׁא֔וּל (Saul), גֹּ֣שֽׁוּ (Draw near) הֲלֹ֔ם (here), כֹּ֖ל (all) פִּנּ֣וֹת (the chiefs) הָעָ֑ם (of the people), וּדְע֣וּ (and know) וּרְא֔וּ (and see) בַּמָּ֗ה (what) הָֽיְתָ֛ה (was) הַחַטָּ֥את (the sin) הַזֹּ֖את (this) הַיּֽוֹם׃ (today). 39  כִּ֣י (For as) חַי־ (lives) יְהוָ֗ה (YHWH) הַמּוֹשִׁ֙יעַ֙ (who saves) אֶת־ (-) יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (Israel), כִּ֧י (surely) אִם־ (if) יֶשְׁנ֛וֹ (it is) בְּיוֹנָתָ֥ן (in Jonathan) בְּנִ֖י (my son), כִּ֣י (indeed) מ֣וֹת (dying) יָמ֑וּת (he must be put to death).

וְאֵ֥ין (Not a man) עֹנֵ֖הוּ (answered him) מִכָּל־ (among all) הָעָֽם׃ (the people).

40  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And he said) אֶל־ (to) כָּל־ (all) יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (Israel), אַתֶּם֙ (You⁺) תִּֽהְיוּ֙ (will be) לְעֵ֣בֶר (on side) אֶחָ֔ד (one), וַֽאֲנִי֙ (and I) וְיוֹנָתָ֣ן (and Jonathan) בְּנִ֔י (my son) נִהְיֶ֖ה (will be) לְעֵ֣בֶר (on side) אֶחָ֑ד (one).

וַיֹּאמְר֤וּ (And said) הָעָם֙ (the people) אֶל־ (to) שָׁא֔וּל (Saul), הַטּ֥וֹב (The good) בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ (in your eyes), עֲשֵֽׂה׃ס (do).

41  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And said) שָׁא֗וּל (Saul) אֶל־ (to) יְהוָ֛ה (YHWH) אֱלֹהֵ֥י (God) יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (of Israel), הָ֣בָה (Respond) תָמִ֑ים (with Thummim). וַיִּלָּכֵ֧ד (And were taken) יוֹנָתָ֛ן (Jonathan) וְשָׁא֖וּל (and Saul), וְהָעָ֥ם (and the people) יָצָֽאוּ׃ (escaped).

42  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And said) שָׁא֔וּל (Saul), הַפִּ֕ילוּ (Cast lots) בֵּינִ֕י (between me) וּבֵ֖ין (and between) יוֹנָתָ֣ן (Jonathan) בְּנִ֑י (my son). וַיִּלָּכֵ֖ד (And was taken) יוֹנָתָֽן׃ (Jonathan).

43  וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (And said) שָׁאוּל֙ (Saul) אֶל־ (to) י֣וֹנָתָ֔ן (Jonathan) הַגִּ֥ידָה (Tell) לִּ֖י (me) מֶ֣ה (what) עָשִׂ֑יתָה (you have done).

וַיַּגֶּד־ (And told) ל֣וֹ (him) יוֹנָתָ֗ן (Jonathan) וַיֹּאמֶר֩ (and said), טָעֹ֨ם (I only tasted) טָעַ֜מְתִּי (I only tasted) בִּקְצֵ֨ה (with the end) הַמַּטֶּ֧ה (of the rod) אֲשֶׁר־ (that was) בְּיָדִ֛י (in my hand) מְעַ֥ט (a little) דְּבַ֖שׁ (honey). הִנְנִ֥י (And behold), אָמֽוּת׃ (I must die)?

44  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And answered) שָׁא֔וּל (Saul), כֹּֽה־ (Thus) יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה (does) אֱלֹהִ֖ים (God), וְכֹ֣ה (and thus) יוֹסִ֑ף (does He add), כִּֽי־ (for) מ֥וֹת (dying) תָּמ֖וּת (you shall be put to death), יוֹנָתָֽן׃ (Jonathan).

45  וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (And said) הָעָ֜ם (the people) אֶל־ (to) שָׁא֗וּל (Saul), הֲֽיוֹנָתָ֤ן׀ (Shall Jonathan) יָמוּת֙ (die), אֲשֶׁ֣ר (who) עָ֠שָׂה (has accomplished) הַיְשׁוּעָ֨ה (the slavation) הַגְּדוֹלָ֣ה (great) הַזֹּאת֮ (this) בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל֒ (in Israel)? חָלִ֗ילָה (Profane)! חַי־ (As lives) יְהוָה֙ (YHWH), אִם־ (if) יִפֹּ֞ל (shall fall) מִשַּׂעֲרַ֤ת (a hair) רֹאשׁוֹ֙ (of his head) אַ֔רְצָה (to the ground); כִּֽי־ (for) עִם־ (with) אֱלֹהִ֥ים (God) עָשָׂ֖ה (he has worked) הַיּ֣וֹם (the day) הַזֶּ֑ה (this).

וַיִּפְדּ֥וּ (And rescued) הָעָ֛ם (the people) אֶת־ (-) יוֹנָתָ֖ן (Jonathan), וְלֹא־ (and not) מֵֽת׃ס (he did die). 46  וַיַּ֣עַל (And returned) שָׁא֔וּל (Saul) מֵאַחֲרֵ֖י (from pursuing) פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים (the Philistines), וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים (and the Philistines) הָלְכ֥וּ (went) לִמְקוֹמָֽם׃ (to their own place).

Saul’s Victories

47  וְשָׁא֛וּל (And Saul) לָכַ֥ד (captured) הַמְּלוּכָ֖ה (the kingdom) עַל־ (over) יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (Israel), וַיִּלָּ֣חֶם (and he fought) סָבִ֣יב׀ (on every side) בְּֽכָל־ (against all) אֹיְבָ֡יו (his enemies)— בְּמוֹאָ֣ב׀ (against Moab), וּבִבְנֵי־ (and against the sons) עַמּ֨וֹן (of Ammon), וּבֶאֱד֜וֹם (and against Edom), וּבְמַלְכֵ֤י (and against the kings) צוֹבָה֙ (of Zobah), וּבַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (and against the Philistines). וּבְכֹ֥ל (And) אֲשֶׁר־ (wherever) יִפְנֶ֖ה (he turned) יַרְשִֽׁיעַ׃ (he inflicted punishment). 48  וַיַּ֣עַשׂ (And he made) חַ֔יִל (a force), וַיַּ֖ךְ (and struck) אֶת־ (-) עֲמָלֵ֑ק (the Amalekite), וַיַּצֵּ֥ל (and he delivered) אֶת־ (-) יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (Israel) מִיַּ֥ד (from the hand) שֹׁסֵֽהוּ׃ס (of those who plundered them).

49  וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ (And were) בְּנֵ֣י (the sons) שָׁא֔וּל (of Saul) יוֹנָתָ֥ן (Jonathan) וְיִשְׁוִ֖י (and Ishvi), וּמַלְכִּי־ (and Malchi-) שׁ֑וּעַ (shua)— וְשֵׁם֙ (and as for the names) שְׁתֵּ֣י (of the two) בְנֹתָ֔יו (of his daughters) שֵׁ֤ם (the name) הַבְּכִירָה֙ (of the firstborn) מֵרַ֔ב (was Merab), וְשֵׁ֥ם (and the name) הַקְּטַנָּ֖ה (of the younger) מִיכַֽל׃ (was Michal). 50  וְשֵׁם֙ (And the name) אֵ֣שֶׁת (of wife) שָׁא֔וּל (of Saul) אֲחִינֹ֖עַם (was Ahinoam), בַּת־ (the daughter) אֲחִימָ֑עַץ (of Ahimaaz). וְשֵׁ֤ם (And the name) שַׂר־ (of the commander) צְבָאוֹ֙ (of his army) אֲבִינֵ֔ר (was Abner) בֶּן־ (son) נֵ֖ר (of Ner), דּ֥וֹד (uncle) שָׁאֽוּל׃ (of Saul). 51  וְקִ֧ישׁ (And Kish was) אֲבִֽי־ (the father) שָׁא֛וּל (of Saul), וְנֵ֥ר (and Ner) אֲבִֽי־ (the father) אַבְנֵ֖ר (of Abner was) בֶּן־ (son) אֲבִיאֵֽל׃ס (of Abiel).

52  וַתְּהִ֤י (And there was) הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ (war) חֲזָקָ֣ה (severe) עַל־ (with) פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (the Philistines) כֹּ֖ל (all) יְמֵ֣י (the days) שָׁא֑וּל (of Saul). וְרָאָ֨ה (And saw) שָׁא֜וּל (Saul) כָּל־ (any) אִ֤ישׁ (man) גִּבּוֹר֙ (strong), וְכָל־ (or any) בֶּן־ (son) חַ֔יִל (valiant), וַיַּאַסְפֵ֖הוּ (and he gathered him) אֵלָֽיו׃ס (to himself).