24
And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people,saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the peopletasted any food.
27
But Jonathanheard not when his fathercharged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb*, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
28
Then answeredone of the people, and said, Thy fatherstraitlycharged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.
30
How much more, if haply the people had eatenfreely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greaterslaughter among the Philistines?
33
Then they toldSaul,saying, Behold, the peoplesin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a greatstone unto me this day.
34
And Saulsaid, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the peoplebrought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.
36
And Saulsaid, Let us go downafter the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morninglight, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemethgood unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw nearhither unto God.
37
And Saulasked counsel of God, Shall I go downafter the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.
39
For, as the LORDliveth, which savethIsrael, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surelydie. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.
40
Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on oneside, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the otherside. And the peoplesaid unto Saul,Do what seemethgood unto thee.
43
Then Saulsaid to Jonathan,Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathantold him, and said, I did buttaste a littlehoney with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.
45
And the peoplesaid unto Saul, Shall Jonathandie, who hath wrought this greatsalvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORDliveth, there shall not one hair of his headfall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the peoplerescuedJonathan, that he died not.
47
So Saultook the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.
49
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his twodaughters were these; the name of the firstbornMerab, and the name of the youngerMichal: