14:1 One day Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, 'Come on, let's go over to where the Philistines have their outpost.' But Jonathan did not tell his father what he was doing.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 1 , One day Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, 'Come on, let's go over to where the Philistines have their outpost.' But Jonathan did not tell his father what he was doing.
14:2 Meanwhile, Saul and his six hundred men were camped on the outskirts of Gibeah, around the pomegranate tree at Migron.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 2 , Meanwhile, Saul and his six hundred men were camped on the outskirts of Gibeah, around the pomegranate tree at Migron.
14:3 (Among Saul's men was Ahijah the priest, who was wearing the linen ephod. Ahijah was the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother. Ahitub was the son of Phinehas and the grandson of Eli, the priest of the LORD who had served at Shiloh.) No one realized that Jonathan had left the Israelite camp.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 3 , (Among Saul's men was Ahijah the priest, who was wearing the linen ephod. Ahijah was the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother. Ahitub was the son of Phinehas and the grandson of Eli, the priest of the LORD who had served at Shiloh.) No one realized that Jonathan had left the Israelite camp.
14:4 To reach the Philistine outpost, Jonathan had to go down between two rocky cliffs that were called Bozez and Seneh.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 4 , To reach the Philistine outpost, Jonathan had to go down between two rocky cliffs that were called Bozez and Seneh.
14:5 The cliff on the north was in front of Micmash, and the one on the south was in front of Geba.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 5 , The cliff on the north was in front of Micmash, and the one on the south was in front of Geba.
14:6 'Let's go across to see those pagans,' Jonathan said to his armor bearer. 'Perhaps the LORD will help us, for nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!'
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 6 , 'Let's go across to see those pagans,' Jonathan said to his armor bearer. 'Perhaps the LORD will help us, for nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!'
14:7 'Do what you think is best,' the youth replied. 'I'm with you completely, whatever you decide.'
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 7 , 'Do what you think is best,' the youth replied. 'I'm with you completely, whatever you decide.'
14:8 'All right then,' Jonathan told him. 'We will cross over and let them see us.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 8 , 'All right then,' Jonathan told him. 'We will cross over and let them see us.
14:9 If they say to us, `Stay where you are or we'll kill you,' then we will stop and not go up to them.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 9 , If they say to us, `Stay where you are or we'll kill you,' then we will stop and not go up to them.
14:10 But if they say, `Come on up and fight,' then we will go up. That will be the LORD's sign that he will help us defeat them.'
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 10 , But if they say, `Come on up and fight,' then we will go up. That will be the LORD's sign that he will help us defeat them.'
14:11 When the Philistines saw them coming, they shouted, 'Look! The Hebrews are crawling out of their holes!'
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 11 , When the Philistines saw them coming, they shouted, 'Look! The Hebrews are crawling out of their holes!'
14:12 Then they shouted to Jonathan, 'Come on up here, and we'll teach you a lesson!' 'Come on, climb right behind me,' Jonathan said to his armor bearer, 'for the LORD will help us defeat them!'
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 12 , Then they shouted to Jonathan, 'Come on up here, and we'll teach you a lesson!' 'Come on, climb right behind me,' Jonathan said to his armor bearer, 'for the LORD will help us defeat them!'
14:13 So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell back as Jonathan and his armor bearer killed them right and left.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 13 , So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell back as Jonathan and his armor bearer killed them right and left.
14:14 They killed about twenty men in all, and their bodies were scattered over about half an acre.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 14 , They killed about twenty men in all, and their bodies were scattered over about half an acre.
14:15 Suddenly, panic broke out in the Philistine army, both in the camp and in the field, including even the outposts and raiding parties. And just then an earthquake struck, and everyone was terrified.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 15 , Suddenly, panic broke out in the Philistine army, both in the camp and in the field, including even the outposts and raiding parties. And just then an earthquake struck, and everyone was terrified.
14:16 Saul's lookouts in Gibeah saw a strange sight--the vast army of Philistines began to melt away in every direction.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 16 , Saul's lookouts in Gibeah saw a strange sight--the vast army of Philistines began to melt away in every direction.
14:17 'Find out who isn't here,' Saul ordered. And when they checked, they found that Jonathan and his armor bearer were gone.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 17 , 'Find out who isn't here,' Saul ordered. And when they checked, they found that Jonathan and his armor bearer were gone.
14:18 Then Saul shouted to Ahijah, 'Bring the ephod here!' For at that time Ahijah was wearing the ephod in front of the Israelites.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 18 , Then Saul shouted to Ahijah, 'Bring the ephod here!' For at that time Ahijah was wearing the ephod in front of the Israelites.
14:19 But while Saul was talking to the priest, the shouting and confusion in the Philistine camp grew louder and louder. So Saul said to Ahijah, 'Never mind; let's get going!'
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 19 , But while Saul was talking to the priest, the shouting and confusion in the Philistine camp grew louder and louder. So Saul said to Ahijah, 'Never mind; let's get going!'
14:20 Then Saul and his six hundred men rushed out to the battle and found the Philistines killing each other. There was terrible confusion everywhere.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 20 , Then Saul and his six hundred men rushed out to the battle and found the Philistines killing each other. There was terrible confusion everywhere.
14:21 Even the Hebrews who had gone over to the Philistine army revolted and joined in with Saul, Jonathan, and the rest of the Israelites.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 21 , Even the Hebrews who had gone over to the Philistine army revolted and joined in with Saul, Jonathan, and the rest of the Israelites.
14:22 Likewise, the men who were hiding in the hills joined the chase when they saw the Philistines running away.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 22 , Likewise, the men who were hiding in the hills joined the chase when they saw the Philistines running away.
14:23 So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle continued to rage even out beyond Beth-aven.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 23 , So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle continued to rage even out beyond Beth-aven.
14:24 Now the men of Israel were worn out that day, because Saul had made them take an oath, saying, 'Let a curse fall on anyone who eats before evening--before I have full revenge on my enemies.' So no one ate a thing all day,
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 24 , Now the men of Israel were worn out that day, because Saul had made them take an oath, saying, 'Let a curse fall on anyone who eats before evening--before I have full revenge on my enemies.' So no one ate a thing all day,
14:25 even though they found honeycomb on the ground in the forest.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 25 , even though they found honeycomb on the ground in the forest.
14:26 They didn't even touch the honey because they all feared the oath they had taken.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 26 , They didn't even touch the honey because they all feared the oath they had taken.
14:27 But Jonathan had not heard his father's command, and he dipped a stick into a piece of honeycomb and ate the honey. After he had eaten it, he felt much better.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 27 , But Jonathan had not heard his father's command, and he dipped a stick into a piece of honeycomb and ate the honey. After he had eaten it, he felt much better.
14:28 But one of the men saw him and said, 'Your father made the army take a strict oath that anyone who eats food today will be cursed. That is why everyone is weary and faint.'
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 28 , But one of the men saw him and said, 'Your father made the army take a strict oath that anyone who eats food today will be cursed. That is why everyone is weary and faint.'
14:29 'My father has made trouble for us all!' Jonathan exclaimed. 'A command like that only hurts us. See how much better I feel now that I have eaten this little bit of honey.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 29 , 'My father has made trouble for us all!' Jonathan exclaimed. 'A command like that only hurts us. See how much better I feel now that I have eaten this little bit of honey.
14:30 If the men had been allowed to eat freely from the food they found among our enemies, think how many more we could have killed!'
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 30 , If the men had been allowed to eat freely from the food they found among our enemies, think how many more we could have killed!'
14:31 But hungry as they were, they chased and killed the Philistines all day from Micmash to Aijalon, growing more and more faint.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 31 , But hungry as they were, they chased and killed the Philistines all day from Micmash to Aijalon, growing more and more faint.
14:32 That evening they flew upon the battle plunder and butchered the sheep, cattle, and calves, but they ate them without draining the blood.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 32 , That evening they flew upon the battle plunder and butchered the sheep, cattle, and calves, but they ate them without draining the blood.
14:33 Someone reported to Saul, 'Look, the men are sinning against the LORD by eating meat that still has blood in it.' 'That is very wrong,' Saul said. 'Find a large stone and roll it over here.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 33 , Someone reported to Saul, 'Look, the men are sinning against the LORD by eating meat that still has blood in it.' 'That is very wrong,' Saul said. 'Find a large stone and roll it over here.
14:34 Then go out among the troops and tell them, `Bring the cattle and sheep here to kill them and drain the blood. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.' ' So that night all the troops brought their animals and slaughtered them there.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 34 , Then go out among the troops and tell them, `Bring the cattle and sheep here to kill them and drain the blood. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.' ' So that night all the troops brought their animals and slaughtered them there.
14:35 And Saul built an altar to the LORD, the first one he had ever built.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 35 , And Saul built an altar to the LORD, the first one he had ever built.
14:36 Then Saul said, 'Let's chase the Philistines all night and destroy every last one of them.' His men replied, 'We'll do whatever you think is best.' But the priest said, 'Let's ask God first.'
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 36 , Then Saul said, 'Let's chase the Philistines all night and destroy every last one of them.' His men replied, 'We'll do whatever you think is best.' But the priest said, 'Let's ask God first.'
14:37 So Saul asked God, 'Should we go after the Philistines? Will you help us defeat them?' But God made no reply that day.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 37 , So Saul asked God, 'Should we go after the Philistines? Will you help us defeat them?' But God made no reply that day.
14:38 Then Saul said to the leaders, 'Something's wrong! I want all my army commanders to come here. We must find out what sin was committed today.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 38 , Then Saul said to the leaders, 'Something's wrong! I want all my army commanders to come here. We must find out what sin was committed today.
14:39 I vow by the name of the LORD who rescued Israel that the sinner will surely die, even if it is my own son Jonathan!' But no one would tell him what the trouble was.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 39 , I vow by the name of the LORD who rescued Israel that the sinner will surely die, even if it is my own son Jonathan!' But no one would tell him what the trouble was.
14:40 Then Saul said, 'Jonathan and I will stand over here, and all of you stand over there.' And the people agreed.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 40 , Then Saul said, 'Jonathan and I will stand over here, and all of you stand over there.' And the people agreed.
14:41 Then Saul prayed, 'O LORD, God of Israel, please show us who is guilty and who is innocent. Are Jonathan and I guilty, or is the sin among the others?' And Jonathan and Saul were chosen as the guilty ones, and the people were declared innocent.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 41 , Then Saul prayed, 'O LORD, God of Israel, please show us who is guilty and who is innocent. Are Jonathan and I guilty, or is the sin among the others?' And Jonathan and Saul were chosen as the guilty ones, and the people were declared innocent.
14:42 Then Saul said, 'Now choose between me and Jonathan.' And Jonathan was shown to be the guilty one.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 42 , Then Saul said, 'Now choose between me and Jonathan.' And Jonathan was shown to be the guilty one.
14:43 'Tell me what you have done,' Saul demanded of Jonathan. 'I tasted a little honey,' Jonathan admitted. 'It was only a little bit on the end of a stick. Does that deserve death?'
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 43 , 'Tell me what you have done,' Saul demanded of Jonathan. 'I tasted a little honey,' Jonathan admitted. 'It was only a little bit on the end of a stick. Does that deserve death?'
14:44 'Yes, Jonathan,' Saul said, 'you must die! May God strike me dead if you are not executed for this.'
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 44 , 'Yes, Jonathan,' Saul said, 'you must die! May God strike me dead if you are not executed for this.'
14:45 But the people broke in and said to Saul, 'Should Jonathan, who saved Israel today, die? Far from it! As surely as the LORD lives, not one hair on his head will be touched, for he has been used of God to do a mighty miracle today.' So the people rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 45 , But the people broke in and said to Saul, 'Should Jonathan, who saved Israel today, die? Far from it! As surely as the LORD lives, not one hair on his head will be touched, for he has been used of God to do a mighty miracle today.' So the people rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death.
14:46 Then Saul called back the army from chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines returned home.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 46 , Then Saul called back the army from chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines returned home.
14:47 Now when Saul had secured his grasp on Israel's throne, he fought against his enemies in every direction--against Moab, Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. And wherever he turned, he was victorious.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 47 , Now when Saul had secured his grasp on Israel's throne, he fought against his enemies in every direction--against Moab, Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. And wherever he turned, he was victorious.
14:48 He did great deeds and conquered the Amalekites, saving Israel from all those who had plundered them.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 48 , He did great deeds and conquered the Amalekites, saving Israel from all those who had plundered them.
14:49 Saul's sons included Jonathan, Ishbosheth, and Malkishua. He also had two daughters: Merab, who was older, and Michal.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 49 , Saul's sons included Jonathan, Ishbosheth, and Malkishua. He also had two daughters: Merab, who was older, and Michal.
14:50 Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. The commander of Saul's army was his cousin Abner, his uncle Ner's son.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 50 , Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. The commander of Saul's army was his cousin Abner, his uncle Ner's son.
14:51 Abner's father, Ner, and Saul's father, Kish, were brothers; both were sons of Abiel.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 51 , Abner's father, Ner, and Saul's father, Kish, were brothers; both were sons of Abiel.
14:52 The Israelites fought constantly with the Philistines throughout Saul's lifetime. So whenever Saul saw a young man who was brave and strong, he drafted him into his army.
The NLT Book of 1Samuel , Chapter 14 , Verse 52 , The Israelites fought constantly with the Philistines throughout Saul's lifetime. So whenever Saul saw a young man who was brave and strong, he drafted him into his army.
