1 Samuel 14

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 One day, Jonathan son of Saul said to his armour-bearer, 'Come on, let us go across to the Philistineoutpost over on the other side.' But he did not inform his father.	1 And it happened that, on a certain day, Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the youth who bore his armor, “Come, and let us go over to the garrison of the Philistines, which is across from that place.” But he did not reveal this to his father.
2 Saul was on the outskirts of Geba, sitting under the pomegranate tree that stands near the threshing-floor; the force with him numbered about six hundred men.	2 Moreover, Saul was staying in the furthermost part of Gibeah, below the pomegranate tree that was at Migron. And the people with him were about six hundred men.
3 Ahijah son of Ahitub, brother of Ichabod, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of Yahweh at Shiloh,was carrying the ephod. The force did not know that Jonathan had left.	3 And Ahijah, the son of Ahitub, the brother of Ichabod, the son of Phinehas, who had been born of Eli, the priest of the Lord at Shiloh, wore the ephod. But the people did not know where Jonathan had gone.
4 In the pass that Jonathan was trying to cross to reach the Philistine outpost, there is a rocky spur onone side and a rocky spur on the other; one is cal ed Bozez, the other Seneh.	4 Now there were, between the ascents along which Jonathan strove to cross to the garrison of the Philistines, rocks projecting from both sides, and, in the manner of teeth, boulders breaking out from one side and the other. The name of one was Shining, and the name of the other was Thorny.
5 The first spur stands to the north facing Michmash, the other to the south facing Geba.	5 One boulder projected toward the north, opposite Michmash, and the other toward the south, opposite Gibeah.
6 Jonathan said to his armour-bearer, 'Come on, let us go across to these uncircumcised people'soutpost; perhaps Yahweh wil do something for us, for Yahweh is free to grant deliverance through a few men,just as much as through many.'	6 Then Jonathan said to the youth who bore his armor: “Come, let us go across to the garrison of these uncircumcised. And perhaps the Lord may act on our behalf. For it is not difficult for the Lord to save, either by many, or by few.”
7 His armour-bearer replied, 'Do exactly as you think. I am with you; our hearts are as one.'	7 And his armor bearer said to him: “Do all that is pleasing to your soul. Go wherever you wish, and I will be with you, wherever you will choose.”
8 Jonathan then said, 'Look, we will go across to these people and let ourselves be seen.	8 And Jonathan said: “Behold, we will cross over to these men. And when we will be seen by them,
9 If they say, "Do not move until we come to you," we shal stay where we are and not go up to them.	9 if they have spoken to us in this way, ‘Stay until we come to you,’ let us stand still in our place, and not ascend to them.
10 But if they say, "Come up to us," we shal go up, for that wil be the sign for us that Yahweh has given them into our power.'	10 But if they will say, ‘Ascend to us,’ let us ascend. For the Lord has delivered them into our hands. This will be the sign to us.”
11 When the two of them let themselves be seen by the Philistine outpost, the Philistines said, 'Look,the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have been hiding.'	11 And so, both of them appeared before the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, “See, the Hebrews have come out from the holes in which they had been hiding.”
12 The men of the outpost then hailed Jonathan and his armour-bearer. 'Come up to us,' they said, 'wehave something to tel you.' Jonathan then said to his armour-bearer, 'Fol ow me up; Yahweh has given theminto the power of Israel.'	12 And the men of the garrison spoke to Jonathan and to his armor bearer, and they said, “Ascend to us, and we will show you something.” And Jonathan said to his armor bearer: “Let us ascend. Follow me. For the Lord has delivered them into the hands of Israel.”
13 Jonathan clambered up on hands and feet, with his armour-bearer behind him; the Philistines fel atJonathan's onslaught, and his armour-bearer, coming behind, finished them off.	13 Then Jonathan ascended, crawling on his hands and feet, and his armor bearer after him. And then, some fell before Jonathan, others his armor bearer killed as he was following him.
14 This first kil ing made by Jonathan and his armour-bearer accounted for about twenty men . . .	14 And the first slaughter was made when Jonathan and his armor bearer struck down about twenty of the men, in the midst of an area of land that a yoke of oxen would usually plow in a day.
15 There was panic in the camp, in the field and throughout the army; outpost and raiding company toowere panic-stricken; the earth quaked: it was a panic from Yahweh.	15 And a miracle occurred in the camp, out in the fields. And all of the people of their garrison, who had gone out in order to plunder, were stupefied. And the earth trembled. And it happened as a miracle from God.
16 Saul's look-out men in Geba of Benjamin could see the camp scattering in all directions.	16 And the watchmen of Saul, who were at Gibeah of Benjamin, looked out, and behold, a multitude was thrown down and dispersed, this way and that.
17 Saul then said to the force that was with him, 'Cal the roll and see who has left us.' So they cal edthe rol , and Jonathan and his armour-bearer were missing.	17 And Saul said to the people who were with him, “Inquire and see who has gone out from us.” And when they had inquired, it was found that Jonathan and his armor bearer were not present.
18 Saul then said to Ahijah, 'Bring the ephod,' since he was the man who carried the ephod in Israel.	18 And Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of the God.” (For the ark of God was, in that day, with the sons of Israel in that place.)
19 But while Saul was speaking to the priest, the turmoil in the Philistine camp grew worse and worse;and Saul said to the priest, 'Withdraw your hand.'	19 And while Saul spoke to the priest, there arose a great tumult in the camp of the Philistines. And it was increasing, little by little, and it was being heard more clearly. And Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”
20 Saul and the whole force with him then formed up and advanced to where the fighting was going on:and there they al were, drawing their swords on one another in wild confusion.	20 Then Saul, and all the people who were with him, cried out together, and they went to the place of the conflict. And behold, each one’s sword had been turned against his neighbor, and there was a very great slaughter.
21 Those Hebrews who had earlier taken service with the Philistines and had accompanied them intocamp, now defected to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.	21 Moreover, the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines yesterday and the day before, and who had ascended with them into the camp, turned back so that they might be with those of Israel who were with Saul and Jonathan.
22 Similarly, all those Israelites who had been hiding in the highlands of Ephraim, hearing that thePhilistines were on the run, chased after them and joined in the fight.	22 Likewise, all the Israelites who had hidden themselves on mount Ephraim, hearing that the Philistines had fled, joined themselves with their own in the battle. And there were with Saul about ten thousand men.
23 That day Yahweh gave Israel the victory. The fighting reached the other side of Beth-Horon.	23 And the Lord saved Israel on that day. But the fight continued as far as Bethaven.
24 As the men of Israel were hard pressed that day, Saul pronounced this imprecation over the people,'A curse on anyone who eats food before evening, before I have taken revenge on my enemies!' So none of thepeople so much as tasted food.	24 And the men of Israel were joined together on that day. And Saul made the people swear, saying, “Cursed be the man who will eat bread, until evening, until I am avenged of my enemies.” And the entire people did not consume bread.
25 Now there was a honeycomb out in the open.	25 And all the common people went into a forest, in which there was honey on the surface of the field.
26 The people came to the honeycomb, the honey was dripping out, but no one put a hand to his mouth,the people being in awe of the oath.	26 And so the people entered the forest, and there appeared flowing honey, but no one drew his hand near his mouth. For the people were afraid of the oath.
27 Jonathan, however, not having heard his father bind the people with the oath, reached with the endof the stick which he was carrying, thrust it into the honeycomb and put it to his mouth; whereupon his eyes grewbrighter.	27 But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people to an oath. And so he extended the top of the staff that he was holding in his hand, and he dipped it in a honeycomb. And he turned his hand to his mouth, and his eyes were brightened.
28 One of the people then spoke up. 'Your father', he said, 'has bound the people with this oath: "Acurse on anyone who eats anything today." '	28 And in response, one of the people said, “Your father has bound the people by an oath, saying: ‘Cursed be the man who will eat any bread this day.’ ” (For the people were faint.)
29 'My father has brought trouble on the country,' Jonathan replied. 'See how much brighter my eyes arefor having eaten this mouthful of honey.	29 And Jonathan said: “My father has troubled the land. You have seen for yourselves that my eyes were brightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
30 By the same token, if the people had been allowed to eat some of the booty which they had capturedfrom the enemy today, would not the defeat of the Philistines have been all the greater?'	30 How much more so, if the people had eaten from the plunder that they find with their enemies? Would not a greater slaughter have been accomplished among the Philistines?”
31 That day the Philistines were beaten from Michmash all the way to Aijalon, until the people wereutterly exhausted.	31 Therefore, on that day, they struck down the Philistines, from Michmash as far as Aijalon. But the people were exceedingly wearied.
32 The people flung themselves on the booty and, taking sheep, bul ocks and calves, slaughtered themthere on the ground and ate them with the blood.	32 And turning to the spoils, they took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and they slew them on the ground. And the people ate with blood.
33 Saul was informed, 'The people are sinning against Yahweh by eating with the blood!' He said, 'Youhave not kept faith! Roll me a large stone here!'	33 Then they reported to Saul, saying that the people had sinned against the Lord, eating with blood. And he said: “You have transgressed. Roll a great stone to me, here and now.”
34 Saul then said, 'Scatter among the people and say, "Everyone is to bring his bul ock or his sheep tome here." You wil slaughter them here and eat, and not sin against Yahweh by eating with the blood.' Eachindividual brought what he happened to have that night, and they al slaughtered in the same place.	34 And Saul said: “Disperse yourselves among the common people, and tell each one of them to bring to me his ox and his ram, and to slay them upon this stone, and to eat, so that you will not sin against the Lord, in eating with blood.” And so, each one, out of all the people, brought his ox, by his own hand, throughout the night. And they slew them there.
35 Saul built an altar to Yahweh; it was the first altar he had built to Yahweh.	35 Then Saul built an altar to the Lord. And so, it was then that he first began to build an altar to the Lord.
36 Saul said, 'Let us go down under cover of dark and plunder the Philistines until dawn; we shal notleave one of them alive.' 'Do whatever you think right,' they replied. But the priest said, 'Let us approach Godhere.'	36 And Saul said: “Let us fall upon the Philistines by night, and lay waste to them even until the morning light. And let us not leave behind a man among them.” And the people said, “Do all that seems good in your eyes.” And the priest said, “Let us draw near to God in this place.”
37 Saul consulted God, 'Shall I go down and pursue the Philistines? Will you hand them over to Israel?'But he gave him no reply that day.	37 And Saul consulted the Lord: “Shall I pursue the Philistines? Will you deliver them into the hands of Israel?” And he did not respond to him on that day.
38 Saul then said, 'Come forward, al you leaders of the people; consider carefully where today's sinmay lie;	38 And Saul said: “Bring here every single leader of the people. And we shall know and see by whom this sin was committed this day.
39 for as Yahweh lives who gives victory to Israel, even if the sin lies with Jonathan my son, he shal beput to death.' But not one out of al the people answered.	39 As the Lord lives, who is the Saviour of Israel, even if it were done by my son Jonathan, without retraction he shall die.” In this, no one among all the people contradicted him.
40 He then said to al Israel, 'Stand on one side, and I and Jonathan my son wil stand on the other.' Andthe people replied to Saul, 'Do as you think right.'	40 And he said to all of Israel, “Separate yourselves on one side, and I, with my son Jonathan, will be on the other side.” And the people responded to Saul, “Do what seems good in your eyes.”
41 Saul then said, 'Yahweh, God of Israel, why did you not answer your servant today? Yahweh, God ofIsrael, if the fault lies with me or with my son Jonathan, give urim: if the fault lies with your people Israel, givethummim.' Jonathan and Saul were indicated and the people went free.	41 And Saul said to the Lord, the God of Israel: “O Lord, God of Israel, grant a sign: Why is it that you will not respond to your servant this day? If this iniquity is in me, or in my son Jonathan, grant an indication. Or if this iniquity is in your people, grant a sanctification.” And Jonathan and Saul were discovered, but the people were released.
42 Saul said, 'Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan,' and Jonathan was indicated.	42 And Saul said, “Cast lots between myself and Jonathan, my son.” And Jonathan was caught.
43 'I only tasted a mouthful of honey off the end of the stick which I was carrying. But I am ready to die.'	43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” And Jonathan revealed to him, and said: “Truly, I tasted a little honey with the top of the staff that was in my hand. And behold, I shall die.”
44 Saul said, 'May God bring unnameable il s on me, and worse ones too, if you do not die, Jonathan!'	44 And Saul said, “May God do these things to me, and may he add these other things, for you shall surely die, Jonathan!”
45 But the people said to Saul, 'Must Jonathan die after winning this great victory for Israel? We wilnever al ow that! As Yahweh lives, not one hair of his head shal fal to the ground, for his deeds today havebeen done with the help of God.' And so the people ransomed Jonathan and he was not put to death.	45 And the people said to Saul: “Why should Jonathan have to die, who has accomplished this great salvation in Israel? This is wrong. As the Lord lives, not one hair of his head should fall to the ground. For he has wrought with God this day.” Therefore, the people freed Jonathan, so that he would not die.
46 Saul decided not to pursue the Philistines, and the Philistines retired to their own territory.	46 And Saul withdrew, and he did not pursue the Philistines. And the Philistines went away to their own places.
47 Saul consolidated his rule over Israel and made war on al his enemies on al fronts: on Moab, theAmmonites, Edom, the king of Zobah and the Philistines; whichever way he turned, he was victorious.	47 And Saul, his kingdom having been confirmed over Israel, was fighting against all his enemies on all sides: against Moab, and the sons of Ammon, and Edom, and the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. And wherever he turned himself, he was successful.
48 He did great deeds of valour; he defeated the Amalekites and delivered Israel from those who usedto pil age him.	48 And gathering together an army, he struck Amalek. And he rescued Israel from the hand of those who would lay waste to them.
49 Saul's sons were: Jonathan, Ishvi and Malchishua. The names of his two daughters were: the elder,Merab, and the younger, Michal.	49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishvi, and Malchishua. And as for the names of his two daughters: the name of the firstborn daughter was Merab, and the name of the younger one was Michal.
50 The name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of his army commander wasAbner son of Ner, Saul's uncle.	50 And the name of the wife of Saul was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the first ruler of his military was Abner, the son of Ner, the first cousin of Saul.
51 Kish father of Saul, and Ner father of Abner were the sons of Abiel.	51 For Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner was the father of Abner, and the son of Abiel.
52 There was fierce warfare with the Philistines throughout Saul's life. Any strong or valiant man whocaught Saul's eye, he recruited into his service.	52 Now there was a powerful war against the Philistines during all the days of Saul. And so, whomever Saul had seen to be a strong man, and fit for battle, he joined him to himself.