1 Samuel 14:35-45

35 Saul built an altar to the Lord, the first one that he built.
36 Saul said to his men, "Let's go down and attack the Philistines in the night, plunder them until dawn, and kill them all." "Do whatever you think best," they answered. But the priest said, "Let's consult God first."
37 So Saul asked God, "Shall I attack the Philistines? Will you give us victory?" But God did not answer that day.
38 Then Saul said to the leaders of the people, "Come here and find out what sin was committed today.
39 I promise by the living Lord, who gives Israel victory, that the guilty one will be put to death, even if he is my son Jonathan." But no one said anything.
40 Then Saul said to them, "All of you stand over there, and Jonathan and I will stand over here." "Do whatever you think best," they answered.
41 Saul said to the Lord, the God of Israel, "Lord, why have you not answered me today? Lord, God of Israel, answer me by the sacred stones. If the guilt is Jonathan's or mine, answer by the Urim; but if it belongs to your people Israel, answer by the Thummim." The answer indicated Jonathan and Saul; and the people were cleared. 1
42 Then Saul said, "Decide between my son Jonathan and me." And Jonathan was indicated.
43 Then Saul asked Jonathan, "What have you done?" Jonathan answered, "I ate a little honey with the stick I was holding. Here I am - I am ready to die."
44 Saul said to him, "May God strike me dead if you are not put to death!"
45 But the people said to Saul, "Will Jonathan, who won this great victory for Israel, be put to death? No! We promise by the living Lord that he will not lose even a hair from his head. What he did today was done with God's help." So the people saved Jonathan from being put to death.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 14.41Numbers 27.21; 1 S 28.6.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. [Some ancient translations] answer me by the sacred stones . . . your people Israel; [Hebrew does not have these words.]
  • [b]. urim . . . thummim: [Two stones used by the priest to determine God's will; it is not known precisely how they were used.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.