1 Samuel 14:32-52 ▼

32 So they rushed greedily to the plunder, taking sheep, cattle, and calves. They slaughtered them on the ground and ate meat with the blood still in it.

33 Then someone reported to Saul (desired): “Look, the troops are sinning against the LORD {YHWH} by eating meat with the blood still in it.” “You⁺ have broken faith,” said Saul. “Roll a large stone over here at once.”

34 Then he (desired) said, “Go among the troops and tell them, ‘Each man must bring me his ox or his sheep, slaughter them in this place, and then eat. Do not sin against the LORD {YHWH} by eating meat with the blood still in it.’” So that night everyone brought his ox and slaughtered it there.

35 Then Saul (desired) built an altar to the LORD {YHWH}; it was the first time he had built an altar to the LORD.

36 And Saul (desired) said, “Let us go down after the Philistines (immigrants) by night and plunder them until dawn, leaving no man alive!” “Do what seems good to you,” the troops replied. But the priest said, “We must consult God {Elohim} here.”

37 So Saul (desired) inquired of God {Elohim}, “Shall I go down after the Philistines (immigrants)? Will You give them into the hand of Israel (he wrestles with God)?” But God did not answer him that day.

38 Therefore Saul (desired) said, “Come here, all you leaders of the troops, and let us investigate how this sin has occurred today.

39 As surely as the LORD {YHWH} who saves Israel (he wrestles with God) lives, even if it is my son Jonathan (YHWH has given), he must die!” But not one of the troops said a word.

40 Then Saul said to all Israel (he wrestles with God), “You⁺ stand on one side, and I and my son Jonathan (YHWH has given) will stand on the other side.” “Do what seems good to you,” the troops (desired) replied.

41 So Saul (desired) said to the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), “Why have You not answered Your servant this day? If the fault is with me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim, but if the fault is with the men of Israel, respond with Thummim [“Give a perfect lot.”].” And Jonathan (YHWH has given) and Saul were selected, but the people were cleared of the charge.

42 Then Saul (desired) said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan (YHWH has given).” And Jonathan was selected.

43 “Tell me what you have done,” Saul (desired) commanded him (YHWH has given). So Jonathan told him, “I only tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. And now I must die?”

44 And Saul (desired) declared, “May God {Elohim} punish me, and ever so severely, if you, Jonathan (YHWH has given), do not surely die!”

45 But the people said to Saul (desired), “Must Jonathan (YHWH has given) die—he who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel (he wrestles with God)? Never! As surely as the LORD {YHWH} lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for with God’s help he has accomplished this today.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.

46 Then Saul (desired) gave up his pursuit of the Philistines (immigrants), and the Philistines returned to their own land.

47 After Saul (desired) had assumed the kingship over Israel (he wrestles with God), he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites (of his father), the Ammonites (tribal), the Edomites (red), the kings [king] of Zobah (station), and the Philistines (immigrants). Wherever he turned, he routed them (he inflicted punishment on them).

48 He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites (dwellers in a valley), delivering Israel (he wrestles with God) from the hands of its plunderers.

49 Now the sons of Saul (desired) were Jonathan (YHWH has given), Ishvi (he resembles me), and Malchishua (my king is wealth). His two daughters were named Merab (increase) (his firstborn) and Michal (who is like God) (his younger daughter).

50 His (desired) wife’s name was Ahinoam (my brother is delight) daughter of Ahimaaz (my brother is wrath). The name of the commander of his army was Abner (my father is a lamp), the son of Saul’s uncle Ner (lamp).

51 Saul’s (desired) father Kish (bent) and Abner’s (my father is a lamp) father Ner (lamp) were sons of Abiel (God is my father).

52 And the war with the Philistines (immigrants) was fierce for all the days of Saul (desired). So whenever he noticed any strong or brave man, Saul would enlist him.