1One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armour-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 towards Michmash, the other to the south towards Geba.
6Jonathan said to his young armour-bearer, ‘Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.’
7‘Do all that you have in mind,’ his armour-bearer said. ‘Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.’
8Jonathan said, ‘Come on, then; we will cross over towards 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 armour-bearer, ‘Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.’
So Jonathan said to his armour-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 armour-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armour-bearer followed and killed behind him. 14In that first attack Jonathan and his armour-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre.14:14 Or about 2,000 square metres
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 armour-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 Michmash 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 enquire 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 shall 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 elder 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.
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.
