1One day Jonathan, the son of Saul, spoke to the young man carrying his armor. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s go over to the Philistine army camp on the other side of the pass.” But he didn’t tell his father about it.
2Saul was staying just outside Gibeah. He was under a pomegranate tree in Migron. He had about 600 men with him. 3Ahijah was one of them. He was wearing a sacred linen apron. He was a son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub. Ahitub was the son of Eli’s son Phinehas. Eli had been the Lord’s priest in Shiloh. No one was aware that Jonathan had left.
4Jonathan planned to go across the pass to reach the Philistine camp. But there was a cliff on each side of the pass. One cliff was called Bozez. The other was called Seneh. 5One cliff stood on the north side of the pass toward Mikmash. The other stood on the south side toward Geba.
6Jonathan spoke to the young man carrying his armor. He said, “Come on. Let’s go over to the camp of those fellows who aren’t circumcised. Perhaps the Lord will help us. If he does, it won’t matter how many or how few of us there are. That won’t keep the Lord from saving us.”
7“Go ahead,” the young man said. “Do everything you have in mind. I’m with you all the way.”
8Jonathan said, “Come on, then. We’ll go across the pass toward the Philistines and let them see us. 9Suppose they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you.’ Then we’ll stay where we are. We won’t go up to them. 10But suppose they say, ‘Come up to us.’ Then we’ll climb up. That will show us that the Lord has handed them over to us.”
11So Jonathan and the young man let the soldiers in the Philistine camp see them. “Look!” said the Philistines. “Some of the Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.” 12The men in the Philistine camp shouted to Jonathan and the young man carrying his armor. They said, “Come on up here. We’ll teach you a thing or two.”
So Jonathan said to the young man, “Climb up after me. The Lord has handed them over to Israel.”
13Using his hands and feet, Jonathan climbed up. The young man was right behind him. Jonathan struck down the Philistines. The young man followed him and killed those who were still alive. 14In that first attack, Jonathan and the young man killed about 20 men. They did it in an area of about half an acre.
Israel Chases the Philistines Away
15Then panic struck the whole Philistine army. It struck those who were in the camp and those in the field. It struck those who were at the edge of the camp. It also struck those who were in the groups that had been sent out to attack Israel. The ground shook. It was a panic that God had sent.
16Saul’s lookouts at Gibeah in the land of Benjamin saw what was happening. They saw the Philistine army melting away in all directions. 17Then Saul spoke to the men with him. He said, “Bring the troops together. See who has left our camp.” When they did, they discovered that Jonathan and the young man carrying his armor weren’t there.
18Saul said to Ahijah the priest, “Bring the ark of God.” At that time it was with the Israelites. 19While Saul was talking to the priest, the noise in the Philistine camp got louder and louder. So Saul said to the priest, “Stop what you are doing.”
20Then Saul and all his men gathered together. They went to the battle. They saw that the Philistines were in total disorder. They were striking one another with their swords. 21At an earlier time some of the Hebrews had been on the side of the Philistines. They had gone up with them to their camp. But now they changed sides. They joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22Some of the Israelites had hidden in the hill country of Ephraim. They heard that the Philistines were running away. They quickly joined the battle and chased after them. 23So on that day the Lord saved Israel. And the fighting continued on past Beth Aven.
Jonathan Eats Honey
24The Israelites became very hungry that day. That’s because Saul had forced the army to make a promise. He had said, “None of you must eat any food before evening comes. You must not eat until I’ve paid my enemies back for what they did. If you do, may you be under a curse!” So none of the troops ate any food at all.
25The whole army entered the woods. There was honey on the ground. 26When they went into the woods, they saw the honey dripping out of a honeycomb. No one put any of the honey in his mouth. They were afraid of the curse that would come if they broke their promise. 27But Jonathan hadn’t heard that his father had forced the army to make a promise. Jonathan had a long stick in his hand. He reached out and dipped the end of it into the honeycomb. He put some honey in his mouth. It gave him new life. 28Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father forced the army to make a promise that everyone must obey. He said, ‘None of you must eat any food today. If you do, may you be under a curse!’ That’s why the men are weak and ready to faint.”
29Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the country. See how I gained new life after I tasted a little of this honey. 30Our soldiers took food from their enemies today. Suppose they had eaten some of it. How much better off they would have been! Even more Philistines would have been killed.”
31That day the Israelites struck down the Philistines. They killed them from Mikmash to Aijalon. By that time they were tired and worn out. 32They grabbed what they had taken from their enemies. They killed some of the sheep, cattle and calves right there on the ground. They ate the meat while the blood was still in it. 33Then someone said to Saul, “Look! The men are sinning against the Lord. They’re eating meat that still has blood in it.”
Saul said to them, “You have broken your promise. Roll a large stone over here at once.” 34He continued, “Go out among the men. Tell them, ‘Each of you bring me your cattle and sheep. Kill them here and eat them. Don’t sin against the Lord by eating meat that still has blood in it.’ ”
So that night everyone brought the ox he had taken and killed it there. 35Then Saul built an altar to honor the Lord. It was the first time he had done that.
36Saul said, “Let’s go down and chase after the Philistines tonight. Let’s not leave even one of them alive. Let’s take everything they have before morning.”
“Do what you think is best,” they replied.
But the priest said, “Let’s ask God for advice first.”
37So Saul asked God, “Should I go down and chase after the Philistines? Will you hand them over to Israel?” But God didn’t answer him that day.
38Saul said to the leaders of the army, “Come here. Let’s find out what sin has been committed today. 39The Lord is the one who rescues Israel. You can be sure that the Lord lives. And you can be just as sure that the sinner must die. He must die even if he’s my son Jonathan.” But no one said anything.
40Then Saul said to all the Israelites, “You stand over there. I and my son Jonathan will stand over here.”
“Do what you think is best,” they replied.
41Then Saul prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel. He said, “Why haven’t you answered your servant today? If I or my son Jonathan is to blame, answer with Urim. But if the Israelites are to blame, answer with Thummim.” Jonathan and Saul were chosen by casting lots. The other men were cleared of blame. 42Saul said, “Cast the lot to find out whether I or my son Jonathan is to blame.” And Jonathan was chosen.
43Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.”
So Jonathan told him, “I used the end of my stick to get a little honey and taste it. And now do I have to die?”
44Saul said, “Jonathan, I must certainly put you to death. If I don’t, may God punish me greatly.”
45But the men said to Saul, “Should Jonathan be put to death? Never! He has saved Israel in a wonderful way. He did it today with God’s help. You can be sure that the Lord lives. And you can be just as sure that not even one hair on Jonathan’s head will fall to the ground.” So the men rescued Jonathan. He wasn’t put to death.
46Then Saul stopped chasing the Philistines. They went back to their own land.
47After Saul became the king of Israel, he fought against Israel’s enemies who were all around them. He went to war against Moab, Ammon and Edom. He fought against the kings of Zobah and the Philistines. No matter where he went, he punished his enemies. 48He fought bravely. He won the battle over the Amalekites. He saved Israel from the power of those who had carried off what belonged to Israel.
Saul’s Family
49Saul’s sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malki-Shua. Saul’s older daughter was named Merab. His younger daughter was named Michal. 50Saul’s wife was named Ahinoam. She was the daughter of Ahimaaz. The commander of Saul’s army was named Abner. He was the son of Ner. Ner was Saul’s uncle. 51Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.
52As long as Saul was king, he had to fight hard against the Philistines. So every time Saul saw a strong or brave man, he took him into his army.
Yonasaani Alumba Abafirisuuti
1Lumu Yonasaani mutabani wa Sawulo n’agamba omuvubuka eyasitulanga ebyokulwanyisa bye nti, “Jjangu tugende ku ludda luli mu nkambi ey’Abafirisuuti.” Kyokka n’atabuulira kitaawe.
214:2 a 1Sa 13:15 b Is 10:28Sawulo yali asiisidde ku njegoyego za Gibea wansi w’omukomamawanga mu Migulooni. Yalina abaserikale nga lukaaga; 314:3 a 1Sa 4:21 b 1Sa 22:11, 20 c 1Sa 2:28ku bo kwe kwali Akiya eyali ayambadde ekkanzu ey’obwakabona14:3 Ekkanzu ey’Obwakabona (Efodi) yalingamu Wurimu ne Sumimu ebyakozesebwanga okwebuuza ku Katonda nga ye mutabani wa Akitubu, muganda wa Ikabodi, mutabani wa Finekaasi, mutabani wa Eri, kabona wa Mukama mu Siiro. Tewali yamanya nti Yonasaani agenze.
414:4 1Sa 13:23Ku buli ludda lw’ekkubo Yonasaani mwe yali ayagala okuyita okutuuka ku nkambi y’Abafirisuuti waaliyo enkonko empanvu, olumu nga luyitibwa Bozezi, n’olulala nga luyitibwa Sene. 5Olukonko olumu lwali ku luuyi olw’obukiikakkono okwolekera Mikumasi, n’olulala nga luli ku luuyi olw’obukiikaddyo okwolekera Geba. 614:6 a 1Sa 17:26, 36; Yer 9:26 b Beb 11:34 c Bal 7:4 d 1Sa 17:46-47Yonasaani n’agamba omuvubuka eyasitulanga ebyokulwanyisa bye nti, Jjangu tugende mu nkambi y’abasajja abo abatali bakomole, oboolyawo Mukama anaatukolera ekyamagero. Kubanga tewali kiyinza kuziyiza Mukama kulokola, ng’akozesa abangi oba abatono.
7Omuvubuka n’amuddamu nti, “Kola nga bw’osiima. Genda mu maaso, nzisa kimu naawe, omutima gwange n’omwoyo gwange biri wamu naawe.” 8Yonasaani n’alyoka ayogera nti, “Kale, tusomoke tugende eri abasajja, tubeerage. 9Bwe banaatugamba nti, ‘Mutulindirire okutuusa lwe tunajja,’ kale tunaasigala we tuli, ne tutagenda gye bali. 1014:10 Lub 24:14; Bal 6:36-37Naye bwe banaatugamba nti, ‘Mujje gye tuli,’ tunaayambuka, kubanga ako ke kanaaba akabonero gye tuli nti Mukama abagabudde mu mukono gwaffe.”
1114:11 1Sa 13:6Awo bombi ne beeraga eri olusiisira lw’Abafirisuuti. Abafirisuuti ne boogera nti, “Mulabe, Abaebbulaniya batandise okuva mu binnya mwe baali beekwese.” 1214:12 a 1Sa 17:43-44 b 2Sa 5:24Abasajja ab’omu nkambi ne bakoowoola Yonasaani n’omuvubuka eyasitulanga ebyokulwanyisa bye nga boogera nti, “Mwambuke gye tuli, tubalage enkola.”
Awo Yonasaani n’agamba omuvubuka eyasitulanga ebyokulwanyisa bye nti, “Ngoberera twambuke kubanga Mukama abawaddeyo mu mukono gwa Isirayiri.”
13Yonasaani n’alinnyalinnya, ng’ayavula nga n’omuvubuka eyasitulanga ebyokulwanyisa bye bw’amuvaako emabega. Yonasaani n’atta Abafirisuuti, n’omuvubuka eyasitulanga ebyokulwanyisa bye ng’amuvaako emabega naye n’atta abo abaali bawonyeewo. 14Mu lulumba olwo olwasooka, Yonasaani n’omuvubuka eyasitulanga ebyokulwanyisa bye, batta abasajja amakumi abiri mu kibangirizi ekyenkana ekitundu kya eka.
Isirayiri Atta Abafirisuuti bangi
1514:15 a Lub 35:5; 2Bk 7:5-7 b 1Sa 13:17Awo ne waba okutya kungi nnyo mu ggye lyonna ery’Abafirisuuti abo abaali mu nkambi n’abaali ku ttale; era n’ab’omu bibinja ebirala n’ebibondo ebirumba n’ettaka ne likankana. Okukankana okwo kwava eri Katonda.
1614:16 2Sa 18:24Abakuumi ba Sawulo abaali e Gibea mu Benyamini ne balaba ng’ekibinja kisaasaana okuddukira mu njuyi zonna. 17Awo Sawulo n’alagira abasajja abaali naye nti, “Mubale abasajja bonna, mulabe ataliiwo.” Bwe baabala, ne bazuula nga Yonasaani n’eyasitulanga ebyokulyanyisa bye tebaliiwo.
1814:18 1Sa 30:7Sawulo n’agamba Akiya nti, “Leeta essanduuko ya Katonda,” kubanga mu biro ebyo yali mu mikono gy’Abayisirayiri. 1914:19 Kbl 27:21Awo Sawulo bwe yali ng’akyayogera ne kabona, akeegugungo ne keeyongera mu nkambi y’Abafirisuuti, n’agamba kabona nti, “Zaayo omukono gwo, ogira olindako.” 2014:20 Bal 7:22; 2By 20:23Awo Sawulo n’abasajja be ne beekuŋŋaanya ne bagenda mu lutalo, ne basanga ng’Abafirisuuti balwanagana bokka ne bokka, nga bafumitagana ebitala. 2114:21 1Sa 29:4Abaebbulaniya abaabeeranga n’Abafirisuuti, abaali bagenze nabo mu nkambi, ne beegatta ku Bayisirayiri abaali ne Sawulo ne Yonasaani. 2214:22 1Sa 13:6Awo Abayisirayiri bonna abaali beekwese mu nsi ey’ensozi eya Efulayimu bwe baawulira ng’Abafirisuuti badduse, amangwago nabo ne beenyigira mu lutalo ne bannaabwe. 2314:23 a Kuv 14:30; Zab 44:6-7 b 1Sa 13:5Mukama n’alokola Isirayiri ku lunaku olwo, olutalo ne lutuukira ddala e Besaveni.
Yonasaani Alya Omubisi gw’Enjuki
2414:24 Yos 6:26Ku lunaku olwo abasajja Abayisirayiri baali bajjudde ennaku nnyingi nnyo kubanga Sawulo yali abalayizza ng’agamba nti, “Akolimirwe oyo yenna anaalya akantu konna ng’obudde tebunnawungeera, nga sinnaba kwesasuza ku balabe bange.” Awo ne wataba n’omu ku baserikale akomba ku kantu.
25Awo abantu bonna bwe baatuuka mu kibira ne balaba omubisi gw’enjuki ku ttaka. 26Bwe beeyongerayo munda mu kibira ne basanga nga gutonnya, naye ne wataba n’omu agukombako kubanga baali batya ekirayiro kye baakola. 2714:27 nny 43; 1Sa 30:12Naye Yonasaani yali tawulidde nga kitaawe alayiza abantu, kyeyava addira omuggo gwe yalina n’annyika omusa gwagwo mu bisenge by’enjuki, n’agukombako, amaaso ge ne ganyirira n’addamu amaanyi. 28Awo omu ku baserikale n’amugamba nti, “Kitaawo yatukuutidde n’atulayiza nti, ‘Omuntu yenna anaalya ku mmere leero akolimirwe.’ Era ekyo kye kireetedde abaserikale okuggwaamu amaanyi.” 2914:29 Yos 7:25; 1Bk 18:18Yonasaani n’ayogera nti, “Kitange aleetedde ensi yaffe emitawaana. Laba amaaso gange bwe ganyirira n’amaanyi gange bwe gakomyewo bwe nkombyeko ku mubisi guno ogw’enjuki. 30Tekyandisinze nnyo leero singa abasajja baalidde ku munyago gw’abalabe baabwe? Era tebandisse Abafirisuuti abasinga awo obungi?”
3114:31 Yos 10:12Abayisirayiri we baamalira okutta Abafirisuuti okuva e Mikumasi okutuuka e Ayalooni nga bakooye nnyo. 3214:32 a 1Sa 15:19 b Lub 9:4; Lv 3:17; 7:26; 17:10-14; 19:26; Ma 12:16, 23-24Ne badda ku munyago, ne baddira endiga n’ente n’ennyana ne bazisalira wansi ku ttaka ne balya ennyama n’omusaayi gwayo. 33Awo omuntu omu n’ategeeza Sawulo nti, “Abantu basobya ku Mukama kubanga balya ennyama erimu omusaayi.”
N’ayogera nti, “Musobezza nnyo. Munjiringisirize wano ejjinja eddene kaakano.” 34Sawulo n’agamba nti, “Muyiteeyite mu bantu mubategeeze nti, ‘Buli omu ku mmwe aleete ente ye n’endiga ye muzittire wano era mu zirye. Temuddangayo okusobya ku Mukama nga mulya ennyama erimu omusaayi.’ ” Awo buli omu ku bo n’aleeta ente ye ekiro ekyo n’agisalira awo. 3514:35 1Sa 7:17Sawulo n’azimbira Mukama ekyoto, era ekyo kye kyoto kye yasooka okuzimbira Mukama.
36Awo Sawulo n’ayogera nti, “Tuserengete tugoberere Abafirisuuti ekiro kino tubanyage okutuusa emmambya lw’eneesala, era tuleme okulekawo wadde omu ku bo nga mulamu.” Ne bamuddamu nti, “Kola nga bw’osiima.”
Naye kabona n’ayogera nti, “Twebuuze ku Katonda wano.” 3714:37 1Sa 10:22; 28:6, 15Awo Sawulo ne yeebuuza ku Katonda ng’agamba nti, “Ŋŋende nnumbe Abafirisuuti? Onoobagabula mu mukono gwa Isirayiri?” Naye Katonda n’atamuddamu ku olwo.
3814:38 Yos 7:11; 1Sa 10:19Sawulo kyeyava ayogera nti, “Mujje wano mmwe mwenna abakulembeze b’abantu, tunoonyereze tulabe ekibi ekikoleddwa leero. 3914:39 2Sa 12:5Nga Mukama alokola Isirayiri bw’ali omulamu, ne bwe kinaaba ku mutabani wange Yonasaani, ateekwa kufa.” Naye ne wataba n’omu amwanukula.
40Awo Sawulo n’agamba Abayisirayiri bonna nti, “Muyimirire ku ludda olwo, nze ne mutabani wange Yonasaani tunaayimirira ku ludda luno.” Abantu ne bamuddamu nti, “Kola nga bw’onoosiima.”
41Sawulo n’asaba Mukama Katonda wa Isirayiri nti, “Kiki ekikugaanye okuddamu omuweereza wo leero? Omusango bwe guba nga guli ku nze oba ku mutabani wange Yonasaani ddamu ne Wumimu, naye bwe guba nga guli ku bantu bo Isirayiri, onaddamu ne Sumimu.” Awo akalulu ne kakubibwa era ne kagwa ku Sawulo ne Yonasaani mutabani we. 42Awo Sawulo n’ayogera nti, “Mutukubire akalulu nze ne mutabani wange Yonasaani.” Yonasaani n’alondebwa.
4314:43 a Yos 7:19 b nny 27Sawulo n’abuuza Yonasaani nti, “Mbulira ky’okoze.” Yonasaani n’amutegeeza nti, “Nakombyeko katono ku mubisi gw’enjuki nga nkozesa omusa gw’omuggo gwange. Kaakano ekyo kinsanyiza okufa?” 4414:44 a Lus 1:17 b nny 39Sawulo n’amuddamu nti, “Katonda ankole bw’atyo n’okukirawo bw’otoofe, Yonasaani!” 4514:45 a 1Bk 1:52; Luk 21:18; Bik 27:34 b 2Sa 14:11Naye abantu ne bagamba Sawulo nti, “Lwaki, Yonasaani akoze eby’amagero ebyo byonna mu Isirayiri afa? Ddala Yonasaani attibwe? Oyo aleetedde Isirayiri obununuzi obw’ekitalo? Nedda tekisoboka! Nga Mukama bw’ali omulamu, tewali luviiri na lumu lunaava ku mutwe gwe ne lugwa wansi, kubanga ebyo by’akoze leero Katonda y’amuyambye okubikola.” Abantu ne banunula Yonasaani bwe batyo, n’atattibwa. 46Ne Sawulo n’alekeraawo okugoberera Abafirisuuti, nabo ne beddirayo mu nsi yaabwe.
4714:47 a 1Sa 11:1-13 b nny 52; 2Sa 10:6Awo Sawulo bwe yalya obwakabaka bwa Isirayiri n’alwana n’abalabe be ku njuyi zonna: Mowaabu, n’Abamoni, ab’e Edomu, ne bakabaka ba Zoba, n’Abafirisuuti, na buli we yaddanga n’abawangula. 4814:48 1Sa 15:2, 7N’alwana n’obuzira bungi n’awangula Abamaleki, n’anunula Isirayiri okuva mu mukono gw’abo abaabanyaganga.
Enju ya Sawulo
4914:49 a 1Sa 31:2; 1By 8:33 b 1Sa 18:17-20Batabani ba Sawulo baali Yonasaani, ne Isuvi, ne Malukisuwa. Amannya ga bawala be ababiri gaali Merabu nga ye mukulu, ate omuto nga ye Mikali. 50Omukyala we ye yali Akinoamu muwala wa Akimaazi. Omuduumizi w’eggye lye omukulu ye yali Abuneeri mutabani wa Neeri, taata wa Sawulo omuto. 5114:51 1Sa 9:1Kiisi kitaawe wa Sawulo ne Neeri kitaawe wa Abuneeri baali batabani ba Abiyeeri. 5214:52 1Sa 8:11Mu biro byonna ebya Sawulo, waaliwo okulwanagana okw’amaanyi n’Abafirisuuti, era buli Sawulo bwe yalabanga omusajja ow’amaanyi oba omuzira n’amuyingiza mu magye.
