1One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.
2Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With him were about six hundred men, 3among whom was Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was a son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh. No one was aware that Jonathan had left.
4On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez and the other Seneh. 5One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the other to the south toward Geba.
6Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”
7“Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”
8Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us. 9If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them. 10But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands.”
11So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.” 12The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.”
So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me; the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.”
13Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him. 14In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre.
Israel Routs the Philistines
15Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God.14:15 Or a terrible panic
16Saul’s lookouts at Gibeah in Benjamin saw the army melting away in all directions. 17Then Saul said to the men who were with him, “Muster the forces and see who has left us.” When they did, it was Jonathan and his armor-bearer who were not there.
18Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (At that time it was with the Israelites.)14:18 Hebrew; Septuagint “Bring the ephod.” (At that time he wore the ephod before the Israelites.) 19While Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the Philistine camp increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”
20Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords. 21Those Hebrews who had previously been with the Philistines and had gone up with them to their camp went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22When all the Israelites who had hidden in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were on the run, they joined the battle in hot pursuit. 23So on that day the Lord saved Israel, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven.
Jonathan Eats Honey
24Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the troops tasted food.
25The entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground. 26When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out; yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. 27But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.14:27 Or his strength was renewed; similarly in verse 29 28Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, ‘Cursed be anyone who eats food today!’ That is why the men are faint.”
29Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey. 30How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?”
31That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Mikmash to Aijalon, they were exhausted. 32They pounced on the plunder and, taking sheep, cattle and calves, they butchered them on the ground and ate them, together with the blood. 33Then someone said to Saul, “Look, the men are sinning against the Lord by eating meat that has blood in it.”
“You have broken faith,” he said. “Roll a large stone over here at once.” 34Then he said, “Go out among the men and tell them, ‘Each of you bring me your cattle and sheep, and slaughter them here and eat them. Do not sin against the Lord by eating meat with blood still in it.’ ”
So everyone brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there. 35Then Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first time he had done this.
36Saul said, “Let us go down and pursue the Philistines by night and plunder them till dawn, and let us not leave one of them alive.”
“Do whatever seems best to you,” they replied.
But the priest said, “Let us inquire of God here.”
37So Saul asked God, “Shall I go down and pursue the Philistines? Will you give them into Israel’s hand?” But God did not answer him that day.
38Saul therefore said, “Come here, all you who are leaders of the army, and let us find out what sin has been committed today. 39As surely as the Lord who rescues Israel lives, even if the guilt lies with my son Jonathan, he must die.” But not one of them said a word.
40Saul then said to all the Israelites, “You stand over there; I and Jonathan my son will stand over here.”
“Do what seems best to you,” they replied.
41Then Saul prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel, “Why have you not answered your servant today? If the fault is in me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim, but if the men of Israel are at fault,14:41 Septuagint; Hebrew does not have “Why… at fault. respond with Thummim.” Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, and the men were cleared. 42Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and Jonathan my son.” And Jonathan was taken.
43Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.”
So Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the end of my staff. And now I must die!”
44Saul said, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you do not die, Jonathan.”
45But the men said to Saul, “Should Jonathan die—he who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Never! As surely as the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he did this today with God’s help.” So the men rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death.
46Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and they withdrew to their own land.
47After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings14:47 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint king of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them.14:47 Hebrew; Septuagint he was victorious 48He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of those who had plundered them.
Saul’s Family
49Saul’s sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malki-Shua. The name of his older daughter was Merab, and that of the younger was Michal. 50His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of Saul’s army was Abner son of Ner, and Ner was Saul’s uncle. 51Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.
52All the days of Saul there was bitter war with the Philistines, and whenever Saul saw a mighty or brave man, he took him into his service.
1Siku moja Yonathani mwana wa Sauli akamwambia kijana mbeba silaha wake, akasema, “Njoo, tuwavukie Wafilisti kwenye doria upande ule mwingine.” Lakini hakumwambia baba yake.
214:2 Amu 4:5; 1Sam 13:15; Kut 28:33; Isa 10:28Sauli alikuwa akikaa kwenye viunga vya Gibea chini ya mkomamanga huko Migroni. Alikuwa pamoja na watu kama 600, 314:3 Mwa 35:18; 1Sam 22:11; 1:3; Za 78:60; 1Sam 4:21; 2:28; 4:21; Kut 28:30; 1Sam 2:28; 22:18miongoni mwao alikuwepo Ahiya, ambaye alikuwa amevaa kisibau. Alikuwa mwana wa Ikabodi, nduguye Ahitubu mwana wa Finehasi, mwana wa Eli, kuhani wa Bwana huko Shilo. Hakuna yeyote aliyekuwa na habari kwamba Yonathani alikuwa ameondoka.
414:4 1Sam 13:23Kila upande wa njia ambayo Yonathani alikusudia kupita ili kuvuka kufikia doria ya Wafilisti kulikuwepo na jabali; moja lilikuwa linaitwa Bosesi, na jingine Sene. 514:5 Yos 18:24Jabali moja lilisimama kaskazini kuelekea Mikmashi na jingine upande wa kusini kuelekea Geba.
614:6 Amu 14:3; 1Sam 17:26; 31:4; Yer 9:26; Eze 28:10; 1Sam 13:22; 1Fal 19:12; Mt 19:26; Ebr 11:34; Amu 7:4; Za 33:16; 1Sam 17:46-47Yonathani akamwambia kijana wake mbeba silaha, “Njoo, tuvukie doria ya wale jamaa wasiotahiriwa. Huenda Bwana atatenda kwa ajili yetu. Hakuna chochote kitakachoweza kumzuia Bwana kuokoa, kwamba ni kwa wingi au kwa uchache.”
7Mbeba silaha wake akamwambia, “Fanya yale yote uliyo nayo katika moyo wako. Songa mbele; moyo wangu na roho yangu viko pamoja nawe.”
8Yonathani akasema, “Basi njoo; tutavuka kuwaelekea hao watu na kuacha watuone. 9Kama wakituambia, ‘Subirini hapo mpaka tuje kwenu,’ tutakaa pale tulipo na hatutakwea kwao. 1014:10 Mwa 24:1, 14; Yos 2:24; Amu 6:36-37; 1Sam 10:7; 2Sam 5:24; Isa 7:11-14Lakini kama watasema, ‘Pandeni mje kwetu,’ tutakwea, kwa sababu hiyo itakuwa ishara yetu kwamba Bwana amewatia mikononi mwetu.”
1114:11 Mwa 14:13; 1Sam 13:6Basi wote wawili wakajionyesha kwa doria ya Wafilisti. Wafilisti wakasema, “Tazama! Waebrania wanatambaa toka mashimoni walimokuwa wamejificha.” 1214:12 Amu 8:16; 1Sam 17:46; 2Sam 5:24; 1Sam 17:43-44Watu wa kwenye doria wakawapigia kelele Yonathani na mbeba silaha wake, wakisema, “Njooni, pandeni kwetu nasi tutawakomesha.”
Basi Yonathani akamwambia mbeba silaha wake, “Panda nyuma yangu; Bwana amewatia mikononi mwa Israeli.”
13Yonathani akapanda juu, akitumia mikono yake na miguu, pamoja na mbeba silaha wake papo hapo nyuma yake. Wafilisti wakaanguka mbele ya Yonathani, naye mbeba silaha wake akamfuata akiwaua nyuma yake. 14Katika hilo shambulio la kwanza, Yonathani na mbeba silaha wake waliua kama watu ishirini kwenye eneo kama la nusu eka.
Israeli Wawafukuza Wafilisti
1514:15 Mwa 35:5; Kut 14:24; 19:16; 2Fal 7:5-7; 1Sam 13:17; Amu 7:21; Ay 18:11; Za 48:5-6Kisha fadhaa ikawapata jeshi lote, wale waliokuwa kambini na shambani, wale waliokuwa katika doria na makundi ya washambuliaji, nayo nchi ilitetemeka. Ilikuwa ni hofu ya ghafula iliyotumwa na Mungu.
1614:16 2Sam 18:24; 2Fal 9:17; Isa 52:8; Eze 33:2Wapelelezi wa Sauli huko Gibea ya Benyamini wakaona jeshi likitokomea pande zote. 17Ndipo Sauli akawaambia watu wale waliokuwa pamoja naye, “Kagueni jeshi mkaone ni nani ameondoka katikati yetu.” Walipokagua, akawa ni Yonathani na mbeba silaha wake ambao hawakuwepo.
1814:18 1Sam 30:7; Amu 18:5Sauli akamwambia Ahiya, “Leta Sanduku la Mungu.” (Wakati huo lilikuwa kwa Waisraeli.) 1914:19 Hes 27:21; Yos 9:14; Za 106:13Wakati Sauli alipokuwa akisema na kuhani, makelele katika kambi ya Wafilisti yakaongezeka zaidi na zaidi. Hivyo Sauli akamwambia kuhani, “Rudisha mkono wako.”
2014:20 Amu 7:22; Eze 38:21; Zek 14:13; 2Nya 20:23Kisha Sauli na watu wake wote wakakusanyika na kwenda vitani. Wakawakuta Wafilisti wakiwa wamechanganyikiwa kabisa, wakitiana panga kila mmoja na wenzake. 2114:21 1Sam 29:4Wale Waebrania ambao walishakuwa pamoja na Wafilisti, na waliokuwa wamepanda pamoja nao katika kambi zao, wakaenda upande wa Waisraeli waliokuwa pamoja na Sauli na Yonathani. 2214:22 1Sam 13:6; Isa 9:19-21Waisraeli wote waliokuwa wamejificha katika nchi ya milima ya Efraimu waliposikia kuwa Wafilisti wamekimbia, wakajiunga vitani na kuwafuata kwa bidii. 2314:23 Kut 14:30; Yos 7; 2; 1Sam 13:5; Za 44:6-7; Isa 63:9; Za 17:7Hivyo Bwana akawaokoa Waisraeli siku ile, navyo vita vilienea hadi kupita Beth-Aveni.
Yonathani Ala Asali
2414:24 Yos 6:26; Law 27:29; Hes 21:2; Kum 27:15-26; Amu 11:30; 21:1-5; Mit 11:9Basi watu wa Israeli walikuwa katika dhiki siku ile, kwa sababu Sauli alikuwa amewafunga watu kwa kiapo, akisema, “Alaaniwe mtu yeyote ambaye atakula chakula kabla ya jioni, kabla sijalipiza kisasi juu ya adui zangu!” Kwa hiyo hakuna mtu yeyote katika jeshi aliyeonja chakula.
2514:25 Kum 9:28; Mt 3:5; Kut 3:8; Hes 13:27Jeshi lote liliingia mwituni, na huko kulikuwepo na asali ardhini. 26Walipoingia mwituni, wakaona asali ikitiririka, hata hivyo hakuna mtu yeyote aliyetia mkono wake kinywani, kwa sababu waliogopa kiapo. 2714:27 Za 19:10; Mit 16:24; 24:13Lakini Yonathani alikuwa hajasikia kuwa baba yake alikuwa amewafunga watu kwa kiapo, hivyo akainyoosha ncha ya fimbo iliyokuwa mkononi mwake na kuichovya katika sega la asali. Akainua mkono wake na kuutia kinywani mwake, nayo macho yake yakawa maangavu. 28Kisha mmoja wa askari wake akamwambia, “Baba yako alilifunga jeshi kwa kiapo kikali, akisema, ‘Alaaniwe mtu yeyote alaye chakula leo!’ Ndiyo sababu watu wanalegea.”
2914:29 Yos 7:25; 1Fal 18:18Yonathani akasema, “Baba yangu ameitaabisha nchi. Ona jinsi nilivyopata nguvu mpya nilipoonja asali hii kidogo. 30Ingekuwa bora zaidi mara ngapi kama watu wangalikula leo baadhi ya nyara walizoteka kutoka kwa adui zao. Je, mauaji ya Wafilisti yasingekuwa makubwa zaidi?”
3114:31 Yos 10:12Siku ile baada ya Waisraeli kuwaua Wafilisti kutoka Mikmashi mpaka Aiyaloni, walikuwa wamechoka. 3214:32 1Sam 15:19; Es 9:10; Mwa 9:4; Law 3:17; Kum 12:16Watu wakarukia zile nyara, wakichukua kondoo, ngʼombe na ndama, wakawachinja hapo juu ya nchi na kuwala, pamoja na damu. 3314:33 Mwa 9:4Kisha mtu mmoja akamwambia Sauli, “Tazama, watu wanatenda dhambi dhidi ya Bwana kwa kula nyama yenye damu.”
Akasema, “Mmevunja uaminifu. Livingirisheni jiwe kubwa hapa mara moja.” 3414:34 Law 19:26Kisha Sauli akasema, “Nendeni miongoni mwa watu, mwaambie, ‘Kila mmoja wenu aniletee ngʼombe wake na kondoo, mwachinjie hapa na mle. Msitende dhambi dhidi ya Bwana kwa kula nyama ikiwa na damu ndani yake.’ ”
Hivyo kila mmoja akaleta ngʼombe wake jioni ile na kumchinja hapo. 3514:35 1Sam 7:17; Amu 21:4; 2Sam 24:25Ndipo Sauli akamjengea Bwana madhabahu, na ndiyo ilivyokuwa mara yake ya kwanza kujenga madhabahu.
3614:36 Mwa 25:22; Amu 18:5; Mal 2:7; Yak 4:8Sauli akasema, “Tuteremke tufuatie Wafilisti usiku na kuwateka nyara mpaka mapambazuko, nasi tusiache hata mmoja wao hai.”
Wakajibu, “Fanya lolote lile uonalo jema zaidi kwako.”
Lakini kuhani akasema, “Tuulize kwa Mungu mahali hapa.”
3714:37 1Sam 28:6, 15; 2Sam 22:42; Za 18:41Basi Sauli akamuuliza Mungu, akisema, “Je, niteremke kuwafuatia Wafilisti? Je, utawatia mikononi mwa Israeli?” Lakini Mungu hakumjibu siku ile.
3814:38 Yos 7:11; 1Sam 10:19Kwa hiyo Sauli akasema, “Njooni hapa, ninyi nyote ambao ni viongozi wa jeshi, na tutafute ni dhambi gani imefanywa leo. 3914:39 Hes 14:21; 2Sam 12:5; Ay 19:25; Za 18:46; 42:2; Yos 7:15Kwa hakika kama Bwana aiokoaye Israeli aishivyo, hata kama itakuwa juu ya mwana wangu Yonathani, ni lazima afe.” Lakini hakuna mtu yeyote aliyesema neno.
40Kisha Sauli akawaambia Waisraeli wote, “Ninyi simameni huko; mimi na mwanangu Yonathani tutasimama hapa.”
Watu wakajibu, “Fanya lile unaloona jema zaidi kwako.”
4114:41 Mdo 1:24; Mit 16:33; Yos 7:16; 1Sam 10:20-21Kisha Sauli akamwomba Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, akisema, “Nipe jibu lililo sawa.” Yonathani na Sauli wakatolewa kwa kura, nao watu wakawa salama. 4214:42 Yon 1:7Sauli akasema, “Pigeni kura kati yangu na mwanangu Yonathani.” Kura ikamwangukia Yonathani.
4314:43 Yos 7:19Basi Sauli akamwambia Yonathani, “Niambie ni nini ulichokifanya.”
Hivyo Yonathani akamwambia, “Nilionja tu asali kidogo kwa ncha ya fimbo yangu. Je, sasa ni lazima nife?”
4414:44 Rut 1:17Sauli akasema, “Mungu na anishughulikie kwa ukali zaidi kama wewe Yonathani hutakufa.”
4514:45 1Fal 1:52; Mt 10:30; 2Sam 14:11; Lk 21:18; Isa 13:3; 2Kor 6:1Lakini watu wakamwambia Sauli, “Je, Yonathani atakufa, yeye ambaye ameleta wokovu huu mkubwa Israeli? Hasha! Hakika kama Bwana aishivyo, hakuna hata unywele wa kichwa chake utakaoanguka juu ya ardhi, kwa kuwa alifanya jambo hili leo kwa msaada wa Mungu.” Basi watu wakamwokoa Yonathani, wala hakuuawa.
46Kisha Sauli akaacha kuwafuata Wafilisti, nao wakajiondoa na kurudi katika nchi yao.
4714:47 Mwa 19:37-38; 2Sam 12:31; 8:3; 10:6; 23:36Baada ya Sauli kujitwalia utawala katika Israeli, alipigana dhidi ya adui zake kila upande: Moabu, Waamoni, Edomu, wafalme wa Soba, na Wafilisti. Popote alipogeukia, aliwashinda. 4814:48 Mwa 36:12; Hes 13:29; Amu 3:13; 1Sam 15:2, 7; 27:8; 28:18; 30:13; 2Sam 1:13; 1Nya 4:43Akapigana kishujaa na kuwashinda Waamaleki, akiikomboa Israeli kutoka mikono ya wale waliokuwa wamewateka nyara.
Jamaa Ya Sauli
4914:49 1Sam 31:2; 1Nya 8:33; Mwa 29:26; 1Sam 18:17-20Wana wa Sauli walikuwa Yonathani, Ishvi na Malki-Shua. Jina la binti yake mkubwa lilikuwa Merabu, naye mdogo aliitwa Mikali. 5014:50 2Sam 2:8; 3:6; 1Fal 2:5; 1Sam 10:14Jina la mkewe Sauli aliitwa Ahinoamu binti wa Ahimaasi. Jina la jemadari wa jeshi la Sauli aliitwa Abneri mwana wa Neri, naye Neri alikuwa babaye mdogo Sauli. 5114:51 1Sam 9:1Babaye Sauli yaani, Kishi na Neri baba yake Abneri walikuwa wana wa Abieli.
5214:52 1Sam 8:11Siku zote za utawala wa Sauli zilikuwa za vita vikali dhidi ya Wafilisti, na wakati wowote Sauli alimwona mtu mwenye nguvu au shujaa, alimchukua kwa utumishi wake.
