1 Samuel 14:41-52 ▼

41 Then Saul told the LORD God of Israel, |Judge us properly.| Jonathan and Saul were selected, but the army was cleared.

42 Saul said, |Cast lots between me and my son Jonathan,| and Jonathan was selected.

43 Saul told Jonathan, |Tell me what you've done.| So Jonathan spoke to him: |I did taste a little honey from the end of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am; I'm ready to die!|

44 Saul said, |May God do this to me and even more, if you don't surely die, Jonathan!|

45 Then the army told Saul, |Shall Jonathan die, who brought about this great deliverance in Israel? As the LORD lives, not one hair of his head will fall to the ground, because today he did this with God's help.|

46 Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went back to their territory.

47 When Saul became king over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Everywhere he turned he was victorious.

48 He acted valiantly, defeated Amalek, and delivered Israel from those who had been plundering them.

49 Saul's sons included Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchi-shua. Of his two daughters, the firstborn was named Merab, and the younger one was named Michal.

50 Saul's wife was Ahinoam, daughter of Ahimaaz, while the commander of his army was Saul's uncle Ner's son Abner.

51 Saul's father Kish and Abner's father Ner were sons of Abiel.

52 There was intense fighting against the Philistines during Saul's entire reign, and whenever Saul discovered a strong or valiant warrior, he would enlist him for service.