Bible History
Bible History

1 Samuel 14 - New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995)

You are here: Home New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995) 1 Samuel 14

Jonathan’s Victory

14 Now the day came that Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come and let us cross over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. 2 Saul was staying in the outskirts of (A)Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in (B)Migron. And the people who were with him were (C)about six hundred men, 3 and Ahijah, the (D)son of Ahitub, (E)Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of the Lord at (F)Shiloh, (G)was [a]wearing an ephod. And the people did not know that Jonathan had gone. 4 (H)Between the passes by which Jonathan sought to cross over to the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp crag on the one side and a sharp 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 on the north opposite Michmash, and the other on the south opposite Geba.

6 Then Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come and let us cross over to the garrison of (I)these uncircumcised; perhaps the Lord will work for us, for (J)the Lord is not restrained to save by many or by few.” 7 His armor bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart; turn yourself, and here I am with you according to your [b]desire.” 8 Then Jonathan said, “(K)Behold, we will cross over to the men and reveal ourselves to them. 9 If they [c]say to us, ‘Wait until we come to you’; then we will stand in our place and not go up to them. 10 But if they [d]say, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up, for the Lord has given them into our hands; and (L)this shall be the sign to us.” 11 When both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines, the Philistines said, “Behold, (M)Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves.” 12 So the men of the garrison [e]hailed Jonathan and his armor bearer and said, “Come up to us and (N)we will tell you something.” And Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come up after me, for (O)the Lord has given them into the hands of Israel.” 13 Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor bearer behind him; and they fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer put some to death after him. 14 That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor bearer made was about twenty men within about half a furrow in an acre of land. 15 And there was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even the garrison and (P)the raiders trembled, and (Q)the earth quaked so (R)that it became a [f]great trembling.

16 Now Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away; and they went here and there. 17 Saul said to the people who were with him, “[g]Number now and see who has gone from us.” And when they had [h]numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there. 18 Then Saul said to Ahijah, “(S)Bring the ark of God here.” For the ark of God was at that time with the sons of Israel. 19 (T)While Saul talked to the priest, the commotion in the camp of the Philistines continued and increased; so Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” 20 Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and came to the battle; and behold, (U)every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion. 21 Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines previously, who went up with them all around in the camp, even (V)they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 When all the (W)men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines had fled, even they also pursued them closely in the battle. 23 So (X)the Lord delivered Israel that day, and the battle [i]spread beyond (Y)Beth-aven.

Saul’s Foolish Order

24 Now the men of Israel were hard-pressed on that day, for Saul had (Z)put the people under oath, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food [j]before evening, and until I have avenged myself on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food. 25 All the people of the land entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground. 26 When the people entered the forest, behold, (AA)there was a flow of honey; but no man put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath. 27 But Jonathan had not heard when his father put the people under oath; therefore, (AB)he put out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth, and (AC)his eyes brightened. 28 Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly put the people under oath, saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food today.’” And the people were weary. 29 Then Jonathan said, “(AD)My father has troubled the land. See now, how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much more, if only the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great.”

31 They struck among the Philistines that day from (AE)Michmash to (AF)Aijalon. And the people were very weary. 32 (AG)The people [k]rushed greedily upon the spoil, and took sheep and oxen and calves, and slew them on the ground; and the people ate them (AH)with the blood. 33 Then they told Saul, saying, “Behold, the people are (AI)sinning against the Lord by eating with the blood.” And he said, “You have acted treacherously; roll a great stone to me today.” 34 Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people and say to them, ‘Each one of you bring me his ox or his sheep, and slaughter it here and eat; and do not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.’” So all the people that night brought each one his ox [l]with him and slaughtered it there. 35 And (AJ)Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord.

36 Then 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 whatever seems good [m]to you.” So (AK)the priest said, “Let us draw near to God here.” 37 Saul (AL)inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You give them into the hand of Israel?” But (AM)He did not answer him on that day. 38 Saul said, “(AN)Draw near here, all you [n]chiefs of the people, and investigate and see how this sin has happened today. 39 For (AO)as the Lord lives, who delivers Israel, though it is in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But not one of all the people answered him. 40 Then he said to all Israel, “You shall be on one side and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side.” And the people said to Saul, “Do what seems good [o]to you.” 41 Therefore, Saul said to the Lord, the God of Israel, “(AP)Give a perfect lot.” And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped. 42 Saul said, “Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son.” And Jonathan was taken.

43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, “(AQ)Tell me what you have done.” So Jonathan told him and said, “(AR)I indeed tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am, I must die!” 44 Saul said, “(AS)May God do [p]this to me and more also, for (AT)you shall surely die, Jonathan.” 45 But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die, who has [q]brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, (AU)not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for (AV)he has worked with God this day.” So the people [r]rescued Jonathan and he did not die. 46 Then Saul went up from [s]pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.

Constant Warfare

47 Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, (AW)the sons of Ammon, Edom, (AX)the kings of Zobah, and (AY)the Philistines; and wherever he turned, he [t]inflicted punishment. 48 He acted valiantly and [u](AZ)defeated the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hands of [v]those who plundered them.

49 Now (BA)the sons of Saul were Jonathan and Ishvi and Malchi-shua; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn (BB)Merab and the name of the younger (BC)Michal. 50 The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And (BD)the name of the captain of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle. 51 (BE)Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.

52 Now the war against the Philistines was severe all the days of Saul; and when Saul saw any mighty man or any valiant man, he [w](BF)attached him to [x]his staff.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 14:3 Lit carrying
  2. 1 Samuel 14:7 Lit heart
  3. 1 Samuel 14:9 Lit say thus
  4. 1 Samuel 14:10 Lit say thus
  5. 1 Samuel 14:12 Lit answered
  6. 1 Samuel 14:15 Lit trembling of God
  7. 1 Samuel 14:17 Lit muster(ed)
  8. 1 Samuel 14:17 Lit muster(ed)
  9. 1 Samuel 14:23 Lit passed over
  10. 1 Samuel 14:24 Lit until
  11. 1 Samuel 14:32 Lit did with regard to the spoil
  12. 1 Samuel 14:34 Lit in his hand
  13. 1 Samuel 14:36 Lit in your eyes
  14. 1 Samuel 14:38 Lit corners
  15. 1 Samuel 14:40 Lit in your eyes
  16. 1 Samuel 14:44 Lit thus
  17. 1 Samuel 14:45 Lit worked
  18. 1 Samuel 14:45 Lit ransomed
  19. 1 Samuel 14:46 Lit after
  20. 1 Samuel 14:47 Or condemned
  21. 1 Samuel 14:48 Lit smote
  22. 1 Samuel 14:48 Lit its plunderers
  23. 1 Samuel 14:52 Lit gathered
  24. 1 Samuel 14:52 Lit himself

Cross references

  1. 1 Samuel 14:2 : 1 Sam 13:15, 16
  2. 1 Samuel 14:2 : Is 10:28
  3. 1 Samuel 14:2 : 1 Sam 13:15
  4. 1 Samuel 14:3 : 1 Sam 22:9-12, 20
  5. 1 Samuel 14:3 : 1 Sam 4:21
  6. 1 Samuel 14:3 : 1 Sam 1:3
  7. 1 Samuel 14:3 : 1 Sam 2:28
  8. 1 Samuel 14:4 : 1 Sam 13:23
  9. 1 Samuel 14:6 : 1 Sam 17:26, 36; Jer 9:25, 26
  10. 1 Samuel 14:6 : Judg 7:4, 7; 1 Sam 17:46, 47; Ps 115:3; 135:6; Zech 4:6; Matt 19:26
  11. 1 Samuel 14:8 : Judg 7:9-14
  12. 1 Samuel 14:10 : Gen 24:14; Judg 6:36
  13. 1 Samuel 14:11 : 1 Sam 13:6; 14:22
  14. 1 Samuel 14:12 : 1 Sam 17:43, 44
  15. 1 Samuel 14:12 : 2 Sam 5:24
  16. 1 Samuel 14:15 : 1 Sam 13:17, 18
  17. 1 Samuel 14:15 : 1 Sam 7:10
  18. 1 Samuel 14:15 : Gen 35:5; 2 Kin 7:6
  19. 1 Samuel 14:18 : 1 Sam 23:9; 30:7
  20. 1 Samuel 14:19 : Num 27:21
  21. 1 Samuel 14:20 : Judg 7:22; 2 Chr 20:23
  22. 1 Samuel 14:21 : 1 Sam 29:4
  23. 1 Samuel 14:22 : 1 Sam 13:6
  24. 1 Samuel 14:23 : Ex 14:30; 1 Sam 10:19; 14:23; 1 Chr 11:14; 2 Chr 32:22; Ps 44:7
  25. 1 Samuel 14:23 : 1 Sam 13:5
  26. 1 Samuel 14:24 : Josh 6:26
  27. 1 Samuel 14:26 : Matt 3:4
  28. 1 Samuel 14:27 : 1 Sam 14:43
  29. 1 Samuel 14:27 : 1 Sam 30:12
  30. 1 Samuel 14:29 : Josh 7:25; 1 Kin 18:18
  31. 1 Samuel 14:31 : 1 Sam 14:5
  32. 1 Samuel 14:31 : Josh 10:12
  33. 1 Samuel 14:32 : 1 Sam 15:19
  34. 1 Samuel 14:32 : Gen 9:4; Lev 3:17; 17:10-14; 19:26; Deut 12:16, 23; Acts 15:20
  35. 1 Samuel 14:33 : Lev 7:26, 27; 19:26; Deut 12:16, 23-25; 15:23
  36. 1 Samuel 14:35 : 1 Sam 7:12, 17; 2 Sam 24:25; James 4:8
  37. 1 Samuel 14:36 : 1 Sam 14:3, 18, 19
  38. 1 Samuel 14:37 : 1 Sam 10:22
  39. 1 Samuel 14:37 : 1 Sam 28:6
  40. 1 Samuel 14:38 : Josh 7:11, 12; 1 Sam 10:19, 20
  41. 1 Samuel 14:39 : 1 Sam 14:24, 44; 2 Sam 12:5
  42. 1 Samuel 14:41 : Acts 1:24
  43. 1 Samuel 14:43 : Josh 7:19
  44. 1 Samuel 14:43 : 1 Sam 14:27
  45. 1 Samuel 14:44 : Ruth 1:17; 1 Sam 25:22
  46. 1 Samuel 14:44 : 1 Sam 14:39
  47. 1 Samuel 14:45 : 2 Sam 14:11; 1 Kin 1:52; Luke 21:18; Acts 27:34
  48. 1 Samuel 14:45 : 2 Cor 6:1
  49. 1 Samuel 14:47 : 1 Sam 11:1-13
  50. 1 Samuel 14:47 : 2 Sam 8:3-10
  51. 1 Samuel 14:47 : 1 Sam 14:52
  52. 1 Samuel 14:48 : 1 Sam 15:3, 7
  53. 1 Samuel 14:49 : 1 Sam 31:2; 1 Chr 8:33; 10:2
  54. 1 Samuel 14:49 : 1 Sam 18:17-19
  55. 1 Samuel 14:49 : 1 Sam 18:20, 27; 19:12; 2 Sam 6:20-23
  56. 1 Samuel 14:50 : 2 Sam 2:8
  57. 1 Samuel 14:51 : 1 Sam 9:1, 21
  58. 1 Samuel 14:52 : 1 Sam 8:11

You Might Also Like:

1 Samuel 14 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

14 And the day cometh that Jonathan son of Saul saith unto the young man bearing his weapons, `Come, and we pass over unto the station of the Philistines, which [is] on the other side of this;' and to his father he hath not declared [it]. 2 And Saul is abiding at the extremity of Gibeah, under the p...
Read More

1 Samuel 14 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

14 And it befelled in a day, that Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to his squire, a young man, Come thou, and pass we (over) to the station of the Philistines, which is beyond that place; soothly he showed not this same thing to his father. (And it befell one day, that Saul’s son Jonathan, said to th...
Read More

1 Samuel 14 - World English Bible (WEB)

14 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 Saul stayed in the uttermost part of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in Migro...
Read More

1 Samuel 14 - The Voice (VOICE)

14 One day Saul’s son, Jonathan, came up with a plan. He turned to his armor-bearer.Jonathan: Come on. Let’s go down to the Philistines over there.But he didn’t tell his father what he had decided. 2 Saul remained outside Gibeah under the pomegranate tree at Migron with about 600 of his soldiers. 3...
Read More

1 Samuel 14 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Jonathan’s Daring Valor14 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man carrying his armor, “Come, let’s cross over to the Philistines’ garrison that’s on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. 2 Now Saul was sitting on the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree that is in Mi...
Read More

1 Samuel 14 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Jonathan Surprises and Routs the Philistines14 One day Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on yonder side.” But he did not tell his father. 2 Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gib′e-ah under the pomegranate tree whic...
Read More

1 Samuel 14 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Jonathan Surprises and Routs the Philistines14 One day Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on yonder side.” But he did not tell his father. 2 Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gib′e-ah under the pomegranate tree whic...
Read More

1 Samuel 14 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

14 1 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armour, ‘Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.’ But he did not tell his father. 2 Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree that is at Migron; the troops that were with...
Read More

1 Samuel 14 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

14 1 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. 2 Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree that is at Migron; the troops who were with him...
Read More

1 Samuel 14 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Jonathan’s Daring Plan14 One day Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to where the Philistines have their outpost.” But Jonathan did not tell his father what he was doing. 2 Meanwhile, Saul and his 600 men were camped on the outskirts of Gibeah, around the pomegranate tree[a] a...
Read More

1 Samuel 14 - New Life Version (NLV)

Jonathan’s Battle with the Philistines14 One day Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who was carrying his battle-clothes, “Come, let us go over to the place where the Philistine soldiers are on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. 2 Saul was staying beside Gibeah under the po...
Read More

1 Samuel 14 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Jonathan Defeats the Philistines14 Now it happened one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who [a]bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. 2 And Saul was sitting in the outskirts of (A)Gibeah u...
Read More

1 Samuel 14 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

14 1 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armour-bearer, ‘Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.’ But he did not tell his father. 2 Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With him were about six hundred men, 3 among whom ...
Read More

1 Samuel 14 - New International Version (NIV)

14 1 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. 2 Saul was staying(A) on the outskirts of Gibeah(B) under a pomegranate tree(C) in Migron.(D) With him were about six hundred men, 3 a...
Read More

1 Samuel 14 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

14 1 One day Jonathan, the son of Saul, spoke to the young man carrying his armor. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s go over to the Philistine army camp on the other side of the pass.” But he didn’t tell his father about it. 2 Saul was staying just outside Gibeah. He was under a pomegranate tree in Migron...
Read More

1 Samuel 14 - New English Translation (NET)

14 Then one day Jonathan son of Saul said to his armor-bearer,[a] “Come on, let’s go over to the Philistine garrison that is opposite us.” But he did not let his father know. 2 Now Saul was sitting under a pomegranate tree in Migron, on the outskirts of Gibeah. The army that was with him numbered ab...
Read More

61 Bible Translations

Popular Articles

Explore the Bible Like Never Before!

Bible History Online

Bible Study Tools

Top Tags