1 Samuel · American Standard Version (1901)
1 Samuel 14 American Standard Version (1901)
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 Now it fell upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armor, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on yonder side. But he told not his father.
1 Now it happened on a day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come! Let’s go over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he didn’t tell his father.
2 And Saul abode in the uttermost part of Gibeah under the pomegranate-tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;
2 Saul stayed in the uttermost part of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in Migron; and the people who were with him were about six hundred men,
3 and Ahijah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of Jehovah in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
3 including Ahijah the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli the priest of Yahweh in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. The people didn’t know that Jonathan was gone.
4 And between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines’ garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side, and a rocky crag on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
4 Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines’ garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side and a rocky crag on the other side; and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
5 The one crag rose up on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.
5 The one crag rose up on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.
6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armor, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that Jehovah will work for us; for there is no restraint to Jehovah to save by many or by few.
6 Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come! Let’s go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that Yahweh will work for us, for there is no restraint on Yahweh to save by many or by few.”
7 And his armorbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thy heart: turn thee, behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.
7 His armor bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Go, and behold, I am with you according to your heart.”
8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto the men, and we will disclose ourselves unto them.
8 Then Jonathan said, “Behold, we will pass over to the men, and we will reveal ourselves to them.
9 If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.
9 If they say this to us, ‘Wait until we come to you!’ then we will stand still in our place and will not go up to them.
10 But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up; for Jehovah hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be the sign unto us.
10 But if they say this, ‘Come up to us!’ then we will go up, for Yahweh has delivered them into our hand. This shall be the sign to us.”
11 And both of them disclosed themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
11 Both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines; and the Philistines said, “Behold, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they had hidden themselves!”
12 And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armorbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will show you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armorbearer, Come up after me; for Jehovah hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.
12 The men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armor bearer, and said, “Come up to us, and we will show you something!” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come up after me, for Yahweh has delivered them into the hand of Israel.”
13 And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armorbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armorbearer slew them after him.
13 Jonathan climbed up on his hands and on his feet, and his armor bearer after him, and they fell before Jonathan; and his armor bearer killed them after him.
14 And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armorbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were half a furrow’s length in an acre of land.
14 That first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armor bearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were half a furrow’s length in an acre of land.
15 And there was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled; and the earth quaked: so there was an exceeding great trembling.
15 There was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison and the raiders also trembled; and the earth quaked, so there was an exceedingly great trembling.
16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went [hither] and thither.
16 The watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and behold, the multitude melted away and scattered.
17 Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armorbearer were not there.
17 Then Saul said to the people who were with him, “Count now, and see who is missing from us.” When they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there.
18 And Saul said unto Ahijah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was [there] at that time with the children of Israel.
18 Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring God’s ark here.” For God’s ark was with the children of Israel at that time.
19 And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the tumult that was in the camp of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thy hand.
19 While Saul talked to the priest, the tumult that was in the camp of the Philistines went on and increased; and Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand!”
20 And Saul and all the people that were with him were gathered together, and came to the battle: and, behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, [and there was] a very great discomfiture.
20 Saul and all the people who were with him were gathered together, and came to the battle; and behold, they were all striking each other with their swords in very great confusion.
21 Now the Hebrews that were with the Philistines as beforetime, and that went up with them into the camp, [from the country] round about, even they also [turned] to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.
21 Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines before and who went up with them into the camp from all around, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
22 Likewise all the men of Israel that had hid themselves in the hill-country of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.
22 Likewise all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.
23 So Jehovah saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over by Beth-aven.
23 So Yahweh saved Israel that day; and the battle passed over by Beth Aven.
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 it be evening, and I be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted food.
24 The men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food until it is evening, and I am avenged of my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food.
25 And all the people came into the forest; and there was honey upon the ground.
25 All the people came into the forest; and there was honey on the ground.
26 And when the people were come unto the forest, behold, the honey dropped: but no man put his hand to his mouth; for the people feared the oath.
26 When the people had come to the forest, behold, honey was dripping, but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.
27 But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
27 But Jonathan didn’t hear when his father commanded the people with the oath. Therefore he put out the end of the rod that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes brightened.
28 Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth food this day. And the people were faint.
28 Then one of the people answered, and said, “Your father directly commanded the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food today.’” So the people were faint.
29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
29 Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. Please look how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.
30 How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to-day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for now hath there been no great slaughter among the Philistines.
30 How much more, if perhaps the people had eaten freely today of the plunder of their enemies which they found? For now there has been no great slaughter among the Philistines.”
31 And they smote of the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. And the people were very faint;
31 They struck the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. The people were very faint;
32 and the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground; and the people did eat them with the blood.
32 and the people pounced on the plunder, and took sheep, cattle, and calves, and killed them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood.
33 Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against Jehovah, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have dealt treacherously: roll a great stone unto me this day.
33 Then they told Saul, saying, “Behold, the people are sinning against Yahweh, in that they eat meat with the blood.” He said, “You have dealt treacherously. Roll a large stone to me today!”
34 And Saul said, 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 Jehovah in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.
34 Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people, and tell them, ‘Every man bring me here his ox, and every man his sheep, and kill them here, and eat; and don’t sin against Yahweh in eating meat with the blood.’” All the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and killed them there.
35 And Saul built an altar unto Jehovah: the same was the first altar that he built unto Jehovah.
35 Saul built an altar to Yahweh. This was the first altar that he built to Yahweh.
36 And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and take spoil among them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.
36 Saul said, “Let’s go down after the Philistines by night, and take plunder among them until the morning light. Let’s not leave a man of them.” They said, “Do whatever seems good to you.” Then the priest said, “Let’s draw near here to God.”
37 And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.
37 Saul asked counsel of God: “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you deliver them into the hand of Israel?” But he didn’t answer him that day.
38 And Saul said, Draw nigh hither, all ye chiefs of the people; and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.
38 Saul said, “Draw near here, all you chiefs of the people, and know and see in whom this sin has been today.
39 For, as Jehovah liveth, who saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.
39 For as Yahweh lives, who saves Israel, though it is in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But there was not a man among all the people who answered him.
40 Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee.
40 Then he said to all Israel, “You be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side.” The people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.”
41 Therefore Saul said unto Jehovah, the God of Israel, Show the right. And Jonathan and Saul were taken [by lot]; but the people escaped.
41 Therefore Saul said to Yahweh, the God of Israel, “Show the right.” Jonathan and Saul were chosen, but the people escaped.
42 And Saul said, Cast [lots] between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.
42 Saul said, “Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son.” Jonathan was selected.
43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did certainly taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand; and, lo, I must die.
43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done!” Jonathan told him, and said, “I certainly did taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand; and behold, I must die.”
44 And Saul said, God do so and more also; for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.
44 Saul said, “God do so and more also; for you shall surely die, Jonathan.”
45 And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? Far from it: as Jehovah liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.
45 The people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As Yahweh lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God today!” So the people rescued Jonathan, so he didn’t die.
46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines; and the Philistines went to their own place.
46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines; and the Philistines went to their own place.
47 Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he 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 put [them] to the worse.
47 Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he 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. Wherever he turned himself, he defeated them.
48 And he did valiantly, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that despoiled them.
48 He did valiantly and struck the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them.
49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishvi, and Malchishua; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the first-born Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:
49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal.
50 and the name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the captain of his host was Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.
50 The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the captain of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.
51 And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
51 Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
52 And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any mighty man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.
52 There was severe war against the Philistines all the days of Saul; and when Saul saw any mighty man or any valiant man, he took him into his service.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Abiel
Named as the father of Kish, Saul's father, and of Ner, Abner's father.
Cited in the guide: 1 Samuel 9:1; 1 Samuel 14:51
Abner
The son of Saul's uncle Ner and commander of Saul's army, who made Ish-bosheth king, later promised to bring Israel over to David, and was killed by Joab at Hebron in revenge for…
Cited in the guide: 1 Samuel 14:50; 1 Samuel 17:55; 2 Samuel 2:8
Ahijah
A priest with Saul's troops at Gibeah who wore an ephod and was told by Saul to bring the ark of God during the Philistine panic at Michmash.
Cited in the guide: 1 Samuel 14:3; 1 Samuel 14:18
Ahimaaz
Named only as the father of Ahinoam, Saul's wife.
Cited in the guide: 1 Samuel 14:50
Ahinoam
Saul's wife, named in 1 Samuel 14:50 as the daughter of Ahimaaz.
Cited in the guide: 1 Samuel 14:50
Ahitub
Called the brother of Ichabod and the son of Phinehas, son of Eli, and named as the father of the priest Ahijah; 1 Samuel 22:9 names an Ahitub as father of the priest Ahimelech.
Cited in the guide: 1 Samuel 14:3; 1 Samuel 22:9; 1 Samuel 22:11
Ishvi
Named with Jonathan and Malchishua among Saul's sons in 1 Samuel 14:49; the list of Saul's sons killed at Gilboa in 1 Samuel 31:2 names Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchishua.
Cited in the guide: 1 Samuel 14:49
Jonathan
Saul's noble son and David's devoted friend, who died beside his father at Gilboa.
Cited in the guide: 1 Samuel 14; 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 2 Samuel 1
Merab
Saul's firstborn daughter, offered to David in marriage but given to Adriel of Meholah; five sons she bore to Adriel were later handed over to the Gibeonites (some manuscripts…
Cited in the guide: 1 Samuel 14:49; 1 Samuel 18:17; 1 Samuel 18:19
Ner
Called Saul's uncle and the father of Abner, the commander of Saul's army; he and Kish were sons of Abiel.
Cited in the guide: 1 Samuel 14:50; 1 Samuel 14:51; 1 Samuel 26:5
Cross references (45)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 1 Samuel 13:2; 1 Samuel 18:1–4; 1 Samuel 25:19; Micah 7:5; 2 Samuel 1:25–26
- 2 1 Samuel 13:15–16; Isaiah 10:28–29
- 3 1 Samuel 2:28; 1 Samuel 4:21; 1 Samuel 22:20; 1 Samuel 22:9–12; Exodus 28:26–32
- 4 1 Samuel 13:23
- 6 Matthew 19:26; Romans 8:31; Zechariah 4:6; 2 Chronicles 14:11; Deuteronomy 32:30
- 7 2 Samuel 7:3; 1 Samuel 10:7; Zechariah 8:23; Psalm 46:7
- 8 Judges 7:9–14
- 9 Judges 6:36–40; Genesis 24:13–14
- 10 Genesis 24:14; Judges 7:11; 1 Samuel 10:7; Judges 6:36; Isaiah 7:11–14
- 11 1 Samuel 13:6; 1 Samuel 14:22; Judges 6:2
- 12 2 Samuel 5:24; 1 Samuel 17:43–44; Judges 4:14; 2 Kings 14:8; 2 Samuel 2:14–17
- 13 Hebrews 11:34; Psalm 18:29; Deuteronomy 32:30; Joshua 23:10; Leviticus 26:7–8
- 15 1 Samuel 13:17; Genesis 35:5; 2 Kings 7:6–7; Exodus 19:18; 2 Samuel 5:24
- 16 1 Samuel 14:20; Psalm 68:2; Psalm 58:7; Isaiah 19:2; Judges 7:22
- 18 Judges 20:18; Judges 20:27–28; 1 Samuel 4:3–5; 1 Samuel 7:1; Judges 20:23
- 19 Numbers 27:21; 1 Samuel 14:24; Psalm 106:13; Joshua 9:14; 1 Samuel 13:11
- 20 Judges 7:22; 2 Chronicles 20:23; Isaiah 19:2; 1 Samuel 14:16; Isaiah 9:19–21
- 21 1 Samuel 29:4; Judges 7:23
- 22 1 Samuel 13:6; 1 Samuel 31:7
- 23 Exodus 14:30; 1 Samuel 13:5; Psalm 44:6–8; Hosea 1:7; 2 Kings 14:27
- 24 Joshua 6:26; Romans 10:2; 1 Corinthians 16:22; Judges 5:2; Psalm 18:47
- 25 Deuteronomy 9:28; Numbers 13:27; Exodus 3:8; Matthew 3:4–5
- 26 Ecclesiastes 9:2
- 27 1 Samuel 30:12; Proverbs 25:26; 1 Samuel 14:43; 1 Samuel 14:29
- 28 1 Samuel 14:43; 1 Samuel 14:24
- 29 1 Kings 18:18; Joshua 7:25
- 30 Ecclesiastes 9:18
- 31 Joshua 10:12; Joshua 19:42
- 32 1 Samuel 15:19; Leviticus 3:17; Deuteronomy 12:16; Leviticus 17:10–14; Genesis 9:4
- 35 1 Samuel 7:17; 1 Samuel 7:12; 2 Timothy 3:5; Judges 21:4; 1 Samuel 7:9
- 36 Psalm 73:28; Isaiah 48:1–2; Malachi 2:7; 1 Samuel 11:11; James 4:8
- 37 1 Samuel 28:6; 1 Kings 22:5; 1 Samuel 23:9–12; 2 Samuel 5:23; 1 Samuel 23:4
- 38 Numbers 24:17; Joshua 7:11; Zechariah 10:4; Joshua 7:14–26; Psalm 47:9
- 39 1 Samuel 14:44; 2 Samuel 12:5; 1 Samuel 14:24; 1 Samuel 22:16; Ecclesiastes 9:2
- 40 1 Samuel 14:36; 2 Samuel 15:15; 1 Samuel 14:7
- 41 Acts 1:24; Joshua 7:16–18; 1 Samuel 10:20–21; Jonah 1:7; Proverbs 16:33
- 43 Joshua 7:19; 1 Samuel 14:27; Jonah 1:7–10
- 44 1 Samuel 14:39; Ruth 1:17; 1 Samuel 25:22; Proverbs 25:16; 2 Samuel 12:5
- 45 Acts 27:34; 2 Samuel 14:11; Luke 21:18; 1 Kings 1:52; Matthew 10:30
- 47 2 Samuel 10:6; 1 Samuel 14:52; 2 Kings 14:27; 1 Samuel 11:1–13; 1 Samuel 13:1
- 48 Deuteronomy 25:19; Exodus 17:14; 1 Samuel 15:3–7
- 49 1 Chronicles 8:33; 1 Samuel 31:2; 2 Samuel 6:20–23; 1 Chronicles 9:39; 1 Samuel 25:44
- 50 2 Samuel 2:8; 1 Samuel 17:55; 2 Samuel 3:27
- 51 1 Samuel 9:1; 1 Samuel 9:21
- 52 1 Samuel 8:11; 1 Samuel 8:1
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences