1 Samuel 14 Parallel Bible Translations

1 Samuel 14 ▼
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1 One day Saul's son Jonathan said to his armorbearer, |Let's go to the Philistine military post on the other side.| But Jonathan didn't tell his father [he was going]. 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. 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 at Migron. He had with him about 600 men 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, Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With him were about six hundred men,
3 in addition to Ahijah, the son of Ichabod's brother Ahitub, who was the son of Phinehas and the grandson of Eli, the LORD's priest at Shiloh. Ahijah was wearing the priestly ephod. The troops didn't know Jonathan had left. 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. 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 There was a cliff on each side of the mountain pass where Jonathan searched for a way to cross over to attack the Philistine military post. The name of one [cliff] was Bozez, and the name of the other was Seneh. 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. 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 like a pillar on the north facing Michmash, the other stood south facing Geba. The one crag rose on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba. One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the other to the south toward Geba.
6 Jonathan said to his armorbearer, |Let's go to the military post of these uncircumcised people. Maybe the LORD will act on our behalf. The LORD can win a victory with a few men as well as with many.| 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.” 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 His armorbearer answered him, |Do whatever you have in mind. Go ahead! I agree with you.| 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.” “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”
8 Jonathan continued, |Listen, we'll cross over to the Philistines and show ourselves to them. Then Jonathan said, “Behold, we will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them. Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us.
9 If they say to us, 'Stay where you are until we come to you,' then we'll stay where we are and not go up to them. 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. 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 to us, 'Come up here,' then we'll go up, because that will be our sign that the LORD has handed them over to us.| 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.” 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 troops. The Philistines said, |Look, some Hebrews are coming out of the holes they were hiding in.| 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.” 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 |Come up here,| the men of the military post said to Jonathan and his armorbearer. |We have something to show you.| Jonathan told his armorbearer, |Follow me up [to the military post] because the LORD has handed the troops over to Israel.| 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.” 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 [the cliff], and his armorbearer followed him. Jonathan struck down the Philistines. His armorbearer, who was behind him, finished killing them. 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. 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 their first slaughter Jonathan and his armorbearer killed about twenty men within about a hundred yards. 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. In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre.
15 There was panic among the army in the field and all the troops in the military post. The raiding party also trembled [in fear]. The earth shook, and there was a panic sent from God. 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. 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 watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin could see the crowd [in the Philistine camp] dispersing in all directions. And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude was dispersing here and there. Saul’s lookouts at Gibeah in Benjamin saw the army melting away in all directions.
17 |Look around,| Saul told the troops who were with him, |and see who has left [our camp].| They looked and found that Jonathan and his armorbearer were not there. 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. 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 Then Saul said to Ahijah, |Bring the priestly ephod,| because Ahijah carried the ephod in front of Israel that day. 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. 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 confusion in the Philistine camp grew worse and worse. Then Saul said to the priest, |Remove your hand [from the ephod].| 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.” 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 Saul and all the troops with him assembled and went into battle. They found Philistine soldiers killing their fellow soldiers in wild confusion. 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. 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 The Hebrews who had been with the Philistines before this and had been stationed in the camp now joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 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. 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 men of Israel who had been hiding in the mountains of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also pursued the Philistines in battle. 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. 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 the LORD saved Israel that day. Now, the battle moved beyond Beth Aven. So the LORD saved Israel that day. And the battle passed beyond Beth-aven. So on that day the LORD saved Israel, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven.
24 Israel's soldiers were driven hard that day. Saul made the troops swear, |Cursed is anyone who eats food before the evening comes and before I've gotten revenge on my enemies.| So none of his troops tasted any food. 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. 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 land had honeycombs, and there was honey on the ground. Now when all the people came to the forest, behold, there was honey on the ground. The entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground.
26 When the troops entered the woods, the honey was flowing. But no one put his hand to his mouth, because the troops were afraid of violating their oath. 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. 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 Jonathan hadn't heard that his father forced the troops to take an oath. So he stretched out the tip of the staff he had in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb. When he put it to his mouth, his eyes lit up. 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. 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 forced the troops to take a solemn oath: 'Cursed is anyone who eats food today.' | Now, the army was exhausted. 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. 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 answered, |My father has brought trouble to the country. See how my eyes lit up when I tasted a little of this honey? Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have become bright because I tasted a little of this honey. Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey.
30 If only the troops had eaten some of the enemies' food, which they found today. We would have killed more Philistines.| 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.” 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 they struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, but the troops were thoroughly exhausted. They struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were very faint. That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Mikmash to Aijalon, they were exhausted.
32 So the troops seized the Philistines' belongings. They took sheep, cows, and calves, and butchered them on the ground. The troops ate the meat with blood still in it. 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. 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 Some [soldiers] told Saul, |The troops are sinning against the LORD by eating meat with blood in it.| Saul replied, |You have been unfaithful. Roll a large rock over to me now.| 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.” 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 Saul said, |Spread out through the troops, and tell them, 'Each of you, bring me your ox or your sheep, and butcher it here, and eat. But don't sin against the LORD by eating meat with blood in it.' | So each of the soldiers brought his ox with him that night and butchered it there. 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. 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 built an altar to the LORD. And Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first altar that he built to the LORD. Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had done this.
36 Saul said [to his men], |Let's attack the Philistines tonight and take their possessions until the light of dawn. And let's not leave any of them [alive].| |Do whatever you think is best,| they responded. But the priest said, |Let's consult God first.| 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.” 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 Then Saul asked God, |Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to Israel?| But he received no answer that day. 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. 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 So Saul ordered all the leaders of the troops, |Come here! Find out what sin was committed today. And Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the people, and know and see how this sin has arisen today. 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 I solemnly swear, as the LORD and Savior of Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan [who did it], he must die.| But not one of the soldiers replied. 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. 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 told all Israel, |You stand on one side, and my son Jonathan and I will stand on the other side.| |Do whatever you think is best,| the troops responded to Saul. 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.” 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 said to the LORD, |O God of Israel, why didn't you answer me today? If this sin is mine or my son Jonathan's, LORD God of Israel, [let the priest] draw Urim. But if it is in your people Israel, [let him] draw Thummim.| Jonathan and Saul were chosen, and the people were freed [from guilt]. 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. 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 |Choose between me and my son Jonathan,| Saul said. Then Jonathan was chosen. Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was taken. Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and Jonathan my son.” And Jonathan was taken.
43 |Tell me,| Saul asked Jonathan. |What did you do?| So Jonathan told him, |I tasted a little honey on the tip of the staff I had in my hand. And for that I am to die?| 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.” 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 do worse things to me than are in this curse if you do not die, Jonathan!| And Saul said, “God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan.” Saul said, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you do not die, Jonathan.”
45 The troops asked Saul, |Should Jonathan die after he has won this great victory in Israel? That would be unthinkable! We solemnly swear, as the LORD lives, not a single hair of his head will fall to the ground, because he has done this with God's help today.| So the troops rescued Jonathan from death. 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. 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. So the Philistines returned to their own land. Then Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place. Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and they withdrew to their own land.
47 When Saul had taken over the kingdom of Israel, he fought against his enemies on every side-against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he was victorious. 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. 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 acted forcefully and defeated Amalek. He rescued Israel from the enemies who looted their possessions. And he did valiantly and struck the Amalekites and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them. 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 Malchishua. The names of his two daughters were Merab (the firstborn daughter) and Michal (the younger daughter). 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. 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 The name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner, the son of Saul's uncle Ner. 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. 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 Kish (Saul's father) and Ner (Abner's father) were the sons of Abiel. Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.
52 There was intense warfare with the Philistines as long as Saul lived. Whenever any warrior or any skilled fighting man came to Saul's attention, Saul would enlist him in the army. 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. 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.
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