The Message Bible MSG
The Latin Vulgate VUL
1 Saul was a young man when he began as king. He was king over Israel for many years.
1
filius unius anni Saul cum regnare coepisset duobus autem annis regnavit super Israhel
2 Saul conscripted enough men for three companies of soldiers. He kept two companies under his command at Micmash and in the Bethel hills. The other company was under Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. He sent the rest of the men home.
2
et elegit sibi Saul tria milia de Israhel et erant cum Saul duo milia in Machmas et in monte Bethel mille autem cum Ionathan in Gabaath Beniamin porro ceterum populum remisit unumquemque in tabernacula sua
3 Jonathan attacked and killed the Philistine governor stationed at Geba (Gibeah). When the Philistines heard the news, they raised the alarm: "The Hebrews are in revolt!" Saul ordered the reveille trumpets blown throughout the land.
3
et percussit Ionathan stationem Philisthim quae erat in Gabaa quod cum audissent Philisthim Saul cecinit bucina in omni terra dicens audiant Hebraei
4 The word went out all over Israel, "Saul has killed the Philistine governor - drawn first blood! The Philistines are stirred up and mad as hornets!" Summoned, the army came to Saul at Gilgal.
4
et universus Israhel audivit huiuscemodi famam percussit Saul stationem Philisthinorum et erexit se Israhel adversum Philisthim clamavit ergo populus post Saul in Galgala
5 The Philistines rallied their forces to fight Israel: three companies of chariots, six companies of cavalry, and so many infantry they looked like sand on the seashore. They went up into the hills and set up camp at Micmash, east of Beth Aven.
5
et Philisthim congregati sunt ad proeliandum contra Israhel triginta milia curruum et sex milia equitum et reliquum vulgus sicut harena quae est in litore maris plurima et ascendentes castrametati sunt in Machmas ad orientem Bethaven
6 When the Israelites saw that they were way outnumbered and in deep trouble, they ran for cover, hiding in caves and pits, ravines and brambles and cisterns - wherever.
6
quod cum vidissent viri Israhel se in arto sitos adflictus est enim populus absconderunt se in speluncis et in abditis in petris quoque et in antris et in cisternis
7 They retreated across the Jordan River, refugees fleeing to the country of Gad and Gilead. But Saul held his ground in Gilgal, his soldiers still with him but scared to death.
7
Hebraei autem transierunt Iordanem terram Gad et Galaad cumque adhuc esset Saul in Galgal universus populus perterritus est qui sequebatur eum
8 He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel. Samuel failed to show up at Gilgal, and the soldiers were slipping away, right and left.
8
et expectavit septem diebus iuxta placitum Samuhel et non venit Samuhel in Galgala dilapsusque est populus ab eo
9 So Saul took charge: "Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!" He went ahead and sacrificed the burnt offering.
9
ait ergo Saul adferte mihi holocaustum et pacifica et obtulit holocaustum
10 No sooner had he done it than Samuel showed up! Saul greeted him.
10
cumque conplesset offerens holocaustum ecce Samuhel veniebat et egressus est Saul obviam ei ut salutaret eum
11 Samuel said, "What on earth are you doing?"
11
locutusque est ad eum Samuhel quid fecisti respondit Saul quia vidi quod dilaberetur populus a me et tu non veneras iuxta placitos dies porro Philisthim congregati fuerant in Machmas
12 I said, 'The Philistines are about to come down on me in Gilgal, and I haven't yet come before God asking for his help.' So I took things into my own hands, and sacrificed the burnt offering."
12
dixi nunc descendent Philisthim ad me in Galgala et faciem Domini non placavi necessitate conpulsus obtuli holocaustum
13 "That was a fool thing to do," Samuel said to Saul. "If you had kept the appointment that your God commanded, by now God would have set a firm and lasting foundation under your kingly rule over Israel.
13
dixitque Samuhel ad Saul stulte egisti nec custodisti mandata Domini Dei tui quae praecepit tibi quod si non fecisses iam nunc praeparasset Dominus regnum tuum super Israhel in sempiternum
14 As it is, your kingly rule is already falling to pieces. God is out looking for your replacement right now. This time he'll do the choosing. When he finds him, he'll appoint him leader of his people. And all because you didn't keep your appointment with God!"
14
sed nequaquam regnum tuum ultra consurget quaesivit sibi Dominus virum iuxta cor suum et praecepit ei Dominus ut esset dux super populum suum eo quod non servaveris quae praecepit Dominus
15 At that, Samuel got up and left Gilgal. What army there was left followed Saul into battle. They went into the hills from Gilgal toward Gibeah in Benjamin. Saul looked over and assessed the soldiers still with him - a mere six hundred!
15
surrexit autem Samuhel et ascendit de Galgalis in Gabaa Beniamin et recensuit Saul populum qui inventi fuerant cum eo quasi sescentos viros
16 Saul, his son Jonathan, and the soldiers who had remained made camp at Geba (Gibeah) of Benjamin. The Philistines were camped at Micmash.
16
et Saul et Ionathan filius eius populusque qui inventus fuerat cum eis erat in Gabaa Beniamin porro Philisthim consederant in Machmas
17 Three squads of raiding parties were regularly sent out from the Philistine camp. One squadron was assigned to the Ophrah road going toward Shual country;
17
et egressi sunt ad praedandum de castris Philisthim tres cunei unus cuneus pergebat contra viam Ephra ad terram Saul
18 another was assigned to the Beth Horon road; the third took the border road that rimmed the Valley of Hyenas.
18
porro alius ingrediebatur per viam Bethoron tertius autem verterat se ad iter termini inminentis valli Seboim contra desertum
19 There wasn't a blacksmith to be found anywhere in Israel. The Philistines made sure of that - "Lest those Hebrews start making swords and spears."
19
porro faber ferrarius non inveniebatur in omni terra Israhel caverant enim Philisthim ne forte facerent Hebraei gladium aut lanceam
20 That meant that the Israelites had to go down among the Philistines to keep their farm tools - plowshares and mattocks, axes and sickles - sharp and in good repair.
20
descendebat ergo omnis Israhel ad Philisthim ut exacueret unusquisque vomerem suum et ligonem et securim et sarculum
21 They charged a silver coin for the plowshares and mattocks, and half that for the rest.
21
retunsae itaque erant acies vomerum et ligonum et tridentum et securium usque ad stimulum corrigendum
22 So when the battle of Micmash was joined, there wasn't a sword or spear to be found anywhere in Israel - except for Saul and his son Jonathan; they were both well-armed.
22
cumque venisset dies proelii non est inventus ensis et lancea in manu totius populi qui erat cum Saul et cum Ionathan excepto Saul et Ionathan filio eius
23 A patrol of Philistines took up a position at Micmash Pass.
23
egressa est autem statio Philisthim ut transcenderet in Machmas
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.