1 Samuel 14
BSA1 One day [upon a day, it came to pass] Jonathan [Jehovah has given, a gift from God] son of Saul [desired, asked for] said to the young man [youth, a young person] bearing [lifting, carrying] his armor [articles, utensils], “Come [let us walk, go], let us cross over [pass, transition] to the Philistine [a person from Philistia, an immigrant] outpost [station, garrison] on the other side [beyond, across].” But Jonathan did not [lo, no] tell [declare, speak openly] his father [parent, ancestor]. word study 2 Meanwhile, Saul [Shaul, the desired one] was staying [abiding, dwelling] under [beneath, underneath] the pomegranate tree [a fruit-bearing tree] in Migron [a place of precipice, near Gibeah] on the outskirts [the border, the extremity] of Gibeah [a city in Palestine, the birthplace of King Saul]. And the troops [the people, the nation] who were with [accompanied, together with] him numbered about six hundred men [individuals, persons], word study 3 including Ahijah [brother of Jehovah, a priestly name], who was wearing an ephod [a sacred vest]. He was the son [a descendant, a male child] of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli [a high priest, a spiritual leader] the priest [one who serves God, a mediator] of the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] in Shiloh [a place of rest, a city of worship]. But the troops [the people, the army] did not know [were not aware, did not understand] that Jonathan [Jehovah has given, a name of faith] had left [gone away, departed]. word study 4 Now there were cliffs [rocky crags, sharp rocks] on both sides of the pass [ford, mountain crossing] that Jonathan [Jehovah has given] intended to cross [to pass over, transition] to reach the Philistine [a person from Philistia] outpost [garrison, military station]. One was named Bozez [glistening white] and the other Seneh [a rocky height]. word study 5 One [unique, single] cliff [rock, pillar] stood to the north [Zaphon, towards the northern direction] toward Michmash [a city in ancient Palestine, hidden], and the other [second, additional] to the south [Negeb, the southern district] toward Geba [a city in the tribe of Benjamin, near Jerusalem]. word study 6 Jonathan [son of King Saul, a friend of David] said to the young man [youth, a boy or a girl from infancy to adolescence] bearing his armor [article, utensil, or equipment], “Come, let us cross over [to pass, transition, or go] to the outpost [station, a fixed spot or office] of these uncircumcised men [those who have no covenant with God, heathen]. Perhaps [if not, it may be] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] will work [do, make, or bring about] on our behalf [for us, in our favor]. Nothing [no restraint, no hindrance] can hinder the LORD from saving [delivering, rescuing, or freeing], whether by many [a large number, a multitude] or by few [a small number, a little].” word study 7 His armor-bearer [bearer of his weapons, servant] replied, “Do [make, undertake] all that is in your [innermost] heart [mind, will, emotions]. Go ahead [turn, proceed]; I am with [together, in accompaniment] you [in loyalty and support] heart [according to your desires] and soul [with all my being].” word study 8 “Very well,” said Jonathan [the son of King Saul, a friend of David], “we [as a united front, together] will cross over [pass, transition] toward these men [the Philistia army, the enemy] and show [reveal, disclose] ourselves [our presence, our identity] to them [in their direction, openly]. word study 9 If [in the event that, whether] they say, ‘Wait [tarry, remain silent] until [as far as, till the time that] we come [approach, draw near] to you,’ then we will stay [stand still, remain stationary] where we are [in our current position, underneath] and will not [absence of, no] go up [ascend, rise] to them. word study 10 But if [under this condition, in this manner] they say, ‘Come on up [to us, against us],’ then we will go up [ascend, rise], because this [sign, token] will be our sign [miraculous indication, wonder] that the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] has delivered [given, handed over] them into our hands [power, control].” word study 11 So the two [a pair, both of them] of them showed themselves [revealed, disclosed] to the outpost [station, garrison] of the Philistines [immigrants from other places], who exclaimed, “Look [behold, see], the Hebrews [descendants of Eber, Israelites] are coming out [going out, emerging] of the holes [caves, hiding places] in which they were hiding [concealing, secreting themselves]!” word study 12 So the men [guards, watchmen] of the outpost [garrison, military guard] called out to Jonathan [Jehovah has given, a gift from God] and his armor-bearer [servant, one who carries his weapons], “Come on up [ascend, go up to us], and we will teach [show, demonstrate] you a lesson [thing, something]!” “Follow [come after] me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord of Israel] has delivered [given, handed over] them into the hand [power, control] of Israel [God’s chosen people].” word study 13 So Jonathan [Jehovah has given, a gift from God] climbed up on his hands [an open hand; strength, a side or share] and feet [a foot, like when God says he will tread on the wicked], with his armor-bearer [one who lifts or carries weapons] behind him. And the Philistines [enemies of God’s people] fell [to fall, and be defeated] before Jonathan [in his presence, face to face], and his armor-bearer [the one who carries his weapons] followed [after, in the rear] and finished them off [to die, and be slain]. word study 14 In that first [initial, primary] assault, Jonathan [Jehovah has given] and his armor-bearer [servant, attendant] struck down [smote, defeated] about twenty [a score of] men over half [a portion of, a part of] an acre [a field, a plot of land] of land [ground, earth, a yoke of oxen might plow]. word study 15 Then terror [fear, anxiety] struck the Philistines in the camp [army, military encampment], in the field [land, countryside], and among all [every, the entirety of] the people. Even those in the outposts [garrison, military station] and raiding parties [spoilers, destroyers] trembled [shook with fear, were greatly afraid]. Indeed, the earth [land, ground] quaked [shook violently, was moved] and panic [great trembling, fear] spread from God [Elohim, the supreme Ruler]. word study 16 Now when Saul’s [the desired one, Shaul] watchmen [those who observe] at Gibeah [a hill, a city in Benjamin] in Benjamin [son of the right hand] looked [to see, to watch, vayar] and saw [behold] the troops [the multitude] melting away [dissolving, namog] and scattering [walking, going, to smite, one another] in every direction, word study 17 Saul [the king of Israel, Shaul] said to the troops [people, army] who were with [near, accompanying] him, “Call the roll [number, count, inspect] and see [look, behold] who [which person, what individual] has left [gone, departed] us [our company, our group].” And when they had called the roll [counted, numbered], they saw [looked, observed] that Jonathan [Jehovah has given, a gift from God] and his armor-bearer [servant, weapon carrier] were not [absent, missing] there [in their place, present]. word study 18 Then Saul [the desired one, Shaul] said to Ahijah [brother of Jehovah], “Bring [to approach, draw near] the ark [a box or chest] of God [Elohim, the one supreme God].” (For at that time [on that day, in that era] it was with the Israelites [the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen people].) word study 19 While Saul [the desired one, a Benjamite king] was talking [speaking, communicating] to the priest [a person who serves God and leads others in worship], the commotion [tumult, noise, crowd] in the Philistine [an immigrant from other places] camp [a group of people, an army] continued to increase [go on, becoming great]. So Saul [Shaul, meaning desired] said to the priest [the one serving God], “Withdraw [remove, take back] your hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share].” word study 20 Then Saul [Shaul, the desired one] and all [every single one] his troops assembled [gathered together, came together] and marched to the battle [war, conflict], and they found the Philistines in total [great, very] confusion [tumult, chaos], with each man [individual, person] wielding the sword [cutting instrument, weapon] against his neighbor [fellow, companion] [in a state of great discomfiture, with much destruction]. word study 21 And the Hebrews [descendants of Eber] who had previously [as in the past, before that time] gone up into the surrounding [encompassing, all around] camps of the Philistines [immigrants from other places] now went over to the Israelites [God’s chosen people, descendants of Jacob] who were with Saul [Shaul, the desired one] and Jonathan [Jehovah has given, a gift from God]. word study 22 When all [every single one, the entire group] the Israelites [descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen people] who had been hiding [concealing themselves, taking cover] in the hill country [mountainous region, highlands] of Ephraim [doubly fruitful, a tribe of Israel] heard [listened, gave attention to] that the Philistines [enemies of Israel, a neighboring nation] were fleeing [running away, escaping], they also [too, in addition] joined [united with, followed] Saul and Jonathan in the battle [war, conflict, fight]. word study 23 So the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] saved [rescued, delivered from danger] Israel [the descendants of Jacob] that day [a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time], and the battle [war, conflict] moved on [passed over, transitioned] beyond [past, over] Beth-aven [the house of vanity, a city east of Bethel]. word study 24 Now the men [people, nation] of Israel [descendants of Jacob] were in distress [oppressed, troubled] that day, for Saul [Shaul, the desired one] had placed the troops [army, people] under an oath [curse, solemn promise], saying, “Cursed [execrated, under God’s judgment] is the man [individual, person] who eats [consumes, devours] any food [bread, sustenance] before evening [sunset, end of the day], before I have taken vengeance [punished, avenged] on my enemies [adversaries, those who oppose me].” So none of the troops [soldiers, army] tasted [perceived, experienced] any food [nourishment, provision]. word study 25 Then all [the entire army, every single one] the troops entered [came into, approached] the forest [a wooded area, a copse of bushes], and there was honey [a sweet and valuable food] on the ground [upon the face of the field, the earth]. word study 26 And when they entered [came into, approached] the forest [wood, copse of bushes] and saw [behold, looked upon] the flowing [dripping, dropping] honey [a sweet and valuable food], not one of them put his hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share] to his mouth [lip, edge of the mouth], because they feared [stood in awe, reverenced] the oath [promise, vow]. word study 27 Jonathan [the gift of God, Jehovah has given], however, had not [been aware of] heard that his father [Saul, the leader of Israel] had charged [commanded, made to swear] the people [the nation, the army] with the oath [a promise, a vow]. So he reached out the end [the tip, the extremity] of the staff [the rod, the walking stick] in his hand, dipped [immersed, put into] it into the honeycomb [a bee’s nest, a sweet food source], and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes [the windows of the soul, the source of sight] brightened [were enlightened, received light]. word study 28 Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father [the leader, Saul] bound the troops with a solemn oath [a vow, a promise], saying, ‘Cursed [to be utterly destroyed, under God’s judgment] is the man who eats [consumes, devours] food [sustenance, nourishment] today [this day, at this time].’ That is why the people [the army, the nation] are faint [weak, exhausted, weary].” word study 29 “My father [the ruler of the land, King Saul] has brought trouble [disturbance, affliction] to the land [the territory, the nation],” Jonathan [Jehovah has given, a gift from God] replied. “Just look [see, behold] at how my eyes [the source of perception, understanding] have brightened [been enlightened, become clearer] because I tasted [experienced, perceived] a little [a small amount, a limited portion] of this honey [a sweet and valuable food]. word study 30 How much better [more desirable, advantageous] it would have been if the troops [army, people] had eaten [devoured, consumed] freely [without restraint, abundantly] today [at this time, now] from the plunder [spoils, booty] they took [found, captured] from their enemies [adversaries, foes]! Would not [certainly not, surely not] the slaughter [defeat, carnage] of the Philistines [a pagan nation, enemies of Israel] have been [resulted in, occurred] much greater [more extensive, widespread]?” word study 31 That day [from dawn till dusk, a period of 24 hours], after the Israelites [the people of God, the nation of Israel] had struck down [smote, defeated] the Philistines [enemies of God’s people, inhabitants of Philistia] from Michmash [a city in ancient Palestine, a place of hiding] to Aijalon [a city in Palestine, a field of deer], the people [a nation, a group of individuals] were very faint [exceedingly weary, weak from hunger]. word study 32 So they rushed greedily [with intense longing, hastily] to the plunder [spoils of war, booty], taking [seizing, capturing] sheep [flock, livestock], cattle [domesticated oxen], and calves [young livestock]. They slaughtered [killed, butchered] them on the ground [land, earth] and ate [devoured, consumed] meat [flesh, food] with the blood [life force, vital fluid] still in it [un-drained, un-purified]. word study 33 Then someone reported to Saul [Shaul, the desired one]: “Look [behold, take notice], the troops are sinning [missing the mark, going wrong] against the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] by eating meat with the blood [the liquid essential for life] still in it.” “You have broken faith [acted treacherously, been deceitful],” said Saul. “Roll a large [great, significant] stone over here at once [to this day, immediately].” word study 34 Then he said, “Go among the troops [disperse yourselves, scatter] and tell them, ‘Each man must bring me his ox [cattle, bull] or his sheep [flock, livestock], slaughter them in this place [here, at this location], and then eat [devour, consume]. Do not sin [miss the mark, go wrong] against the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] by eating meat with the blood [life, vitality] still in it.’” So that night [period of darkness, time of rest] everyone brought his ox and slaughtered it there [in that place, at that location]. word study 35 Then Saul [Shaul, the desired one] built [established, constructed] an altar [place of sacrifice, means of worship] to the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]; it was the first time [the beginning, with it he began] he had built [constructed, established] an altar [means of worship, place of sacrifice] to the LORD. word study 36 And Saul [the desired one, Israel’s first king] said, “Let us go down [descend to a lower place] after the Philistines [inhabitants of Philistia, enemies of Israel] by night [the time of darkness, adversity] and plunder [violently take, seize] them until dawn [the break of day, morning light], leaving no man [no male person, individual] alive [surviving]!” “Do what seems good [pleasant, beneficial] to you [in your eyes, according to your judgment],” the troops replied. But the priest [one who serves God, leads worship] said, “We must consult [draw near, approach] God [Elohim, the supreme Being] here [in this place, at this time].” word study 37 So Saul [the desired one, Shaul] inquired of God [Elohim, the supreme One], “Shall I go down [to a lower place, descend] after [in pursuit of, following] the Philistines [immigrants from other places, a non-Israelite people]? Will You give [deliver, put into the hand of] them into the hand [power, authority] of Israel [the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen people]?” But God [the supreme One] did not answer [respond, give an answer] him that day [a literal 24-hour period, a figurative space of time]. word study 38 Therefore Saul [Shaul, the desired one] said, “Come here [hither, to this place], all you leaders [chiefs, cornerstones] of the troops, and let us investigate [know and see, discern] how this sin [transgression, rebellion] has occurred [happened, come to be] today [in this present day, at this time]. word study 39 As surely as the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] who saves [rescues, delivers] Israel [the descendants of Jacob] lives, even if it is my son [descendant, child] Jonathan [Jehovah has given], he must die [be put to death, face mortal punishment]!” But not one of the troops [people, nation] said a word [responded, gave an answer]. word study 40 Then Saul [Shaul, meaning desired] said to all [every single one] Israel [the descendants of Jacob], “You stand [take your position, be stationed] on one [a single, united] side, and I [as the leader] and my son [descendant, offspring] Jonathan [Jehovah has given] will stand [take our position, be stationed] on the other [opposite, contrasting] side.” “Do what seems [appears, is deemed] good [pleasant, beneficial] to you [in your eyes, according to your judgment],” the troops [people, army] replied [said, spoke]. word study 41 So Saul [the desired one, Shaul] said to the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], the God [Elohim, the supreme one] of Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, and his descendants], “Why have You not answered [given a response, provided an indication] Your servant this day? If the fault [sin, iniquity] is with me or my son Jonathan [Jehovah has given], respond with Urim [the perfect or flawless one]; but if the fault is with the men of Israel, respond with Thummim [the unblemished or perfect one].” And Jonathan and Saul were selected [captured, taken by lot], but the people [the nation, Amaw] were cleared of the charge [escaped, went out free]. word study 42 Then Saul [Shaul, the desired one] said, “Cast the lot [to fall, by chance] between [in the midst of, to decide] me and my son [descendant, offspring] Jonathan [Jehovah has given, a gift from God].” And Jonathan [the given one] was selected [taken, captured by lot]. word study 43 “Tell me what you have done [what you have accomplished, what actions you have taken],” Saul [Shaul, the king of Israel] commanded him. So Jonathan [Jehovah has given, a gift from God] told him, “I only tasted [experienced, savored] a little [a small amount, a limited quantity] honey [a sweet and valuable food] with the end [the tip, the extremity] of the staff [a rod] that was in my hand [under my control, in my power]. And now I must die [face death, experience mortality, be put to death as a punishment]?” word study 44 And Saul declared [pronounced a curse upon himself], “May God [Elohim, the supreme Judge] punish me, and ever so severely [with utmost vengeance], if you, Jonathan [Jehovah has given], do not surely [most certainly, without a doubt] die [meet a mortal end, succumb to death]!” word study 45 But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan [the one given by Jehovah] die—he who accomplished [brought about, wrought] such a great [mighty, large] deliverance [salvation, victory] for Israel? Never [God forbid, far from it]! As surely as the LORD [Yehovah, the living God] lives, not a hair [single strand] of his head will fall to the ground, for with God’s [Elohim’s, divine] help he has accomplished [worked, done] this today.” So the people rescued [delivered, saved] Jonathan, and he did not die [perish, come to an end]. word study 46 Then Saul [Shaul, the desired one] gave up [stopped, turned back] his pursuit [chasing, following] of the Philistines [people from Philistia], and the Philistines [inhabitants of Philistia] returned [went back, went up] to their own [native, designated] land [place, region]. word study 47 After Saul [Shaul, the desired one] had assumed the kingship [royal authority] over Israel, he fought [waged war, to feed on or consume] against all his enemies [those who hate or oppose] on every side [around, surrounding]—the Moabites [descendants of Moab], the Ammonites [sons of Ammon], the Edomites [descendants of Esau], the kings [royal rulers] of Zobah [a region in Syria], and the Philistines [inhabitants of Philistia]. Wherever [in every direction, whithersoever] he turned [to face or look], he routed [defeated, overcame, handled them as wicked men] them. word study 48 He fought [bravely, with great strength] valiantly and defeated [struck, smote, overcame] the Amalekites [enemies of Israel, descendants of Esau], delivering [rescuing, saving] Israel [Jacob’s descendants, God’s chosen people] from the hands [power, control] of its plunderers [those who despoil, spoil them]. word study 49 Now the sons [male descendants, children] of Saul [Shaul, meaning desired] were Jonathan [Jehovah has given], Ishvi [son of King Saul], and Malchishua [my king is wealth]. His two [a pair, dual] daughters [female children, women] were named Merab [the firstborn, eldest] (his firstborn [born first, eldest child]) and Michal [who is like God, the younger one, smaller in age or stature] (his younger daughter). word study 50 His wife’s [woman, female partner] name was Ahinoam [my brother is delight, a woman of beauty] daughter [female child, descendant] of Ahimaaz [my brother is anger, a leader in Israel]. The name [identity, character] of the commander [ruler, captain] of his army [large group of people, military force] was Abner [father of light, a mighty warrior], the son [descendant, male child] of Saul’s [desired, asked for] uncle [beloved, close relative] Ner [lamp, light]. word study 51 Saul’s father [the ancestor of the first king of Israel] Kish and Abner’s father [the cousin of King Saul] Ner were sons [descendants, offspring] of Abiel [my father is God, a personal name]. word study 52 And the war [sore, severe, and intense] with the Philistines [a person from the region of Philistia] was fierce [strong, severe, and hard] for all [every, the entire] the days [a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time] of Saul [Shaul, a personal name meaning desired]. So whenever he noticed [saw, looked after, and cared for] any strong [mighty, powerful, and brave] or brave [valiant, courageous, and mighty] man [a male person or individual], Saul would enlist [gather, take, and recruit] him [to himself, into his army]. word study