1 Samuel 14:24-46

24Now the men of Israel were hard-pressed on that day, for Saul had 1put the people under oath, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food 2before evening, and until I have avenged myself on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food. 25All the people of the land entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground. 26When the people entered the forest, behold, 3there was a flow of honey; but no man put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath. 27But Jonathan had not heard when his father put the people under oath; therefore, 4he 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 5his eyes brightened. 28Then 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. 29Then Jonathan said, “6My father has troubled the land. See now, how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. 30How 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.”

31They struck among the Philistines that day from 7Michmash to 8Aijalon. And the people were very weary. 329The people 10rushed greedily upon the spoil, and took sheep and oxen and calves, and slew them on the ground; and the people ate them 11with the blood. 33Then they told Saul, saying, “Behold, the people are 12sinning against the Lord by eating with the blood.” And he said, “You have acted treacherously; roll a great stone to me today.” 34Saul 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 13with him and slaughtered it there. 35And 14Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord.

36Then 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 15to you.” So 16the priest said, “Let us draw near to God here.” 37Saul 17inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You give them into the hand of Israel?” But 18He did not answer him on that day. 38Saul said, “19Draw near here, all you 20chiefs of the people, and investigate and see how this sin has happened today. 39For 21as 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. 40Then 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 22to you.” 41Therefore, Saul said to the Lord, the God of Israel, “23Give a perfect lot.” And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped. 42Saul said, “Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son.” And Jonathan was taken.

43Then Saul said to Jonathan, “24Tell me what you have done.” So Jonathan told him and said, “25I indeed tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am, I must die!” 44Saul said, “26May God do 27this to me and more also, for 28you shall surely die, Jonathan.” 45But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die, who has 29brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, 30not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for 31he has worked with God this day.” So the people 32rescued Jonathan and he did not die. 46Then Saul went up from 33pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.