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 before 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 honey dripping; but no man put his hand to his mouth, because the people feared the oath. 27However, Jonathan had not heard it when his father put the people under oath; so 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 6brightened. 28Then one of the people responded and 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, “7My father has troubled the land. See now that my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. 30How much more, if only the people had freely eaten today of the spoils of their enemies which they found! For now the defeat among the Philistines has not been great.”

31They attacked the Philistines that day from 8Michmash to 9Aijalon. But the people were very tired. 32So 10the people loudly rushed upon the spoils, and took sheep, oxen, and calves, and slaughtered them on the ground; and the people ate them 11with the blood. 33Then observers informed Saul, saying, “Look, the people are 12sinning against the Lord by eating meat with the blood.” And he said, “You have acted treacherously; roll a large rock to me today.” 34Then 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 it with the blood.’” So all the people brought them that night, each one his ox 13with him, and they slaughtered them there. 35And 14Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord.

36Then Saul said, “Let’s go down after the Philistines by night and take plunder among them until the morning light, and let’s not leave a man among them alive.” And they said, “Do whatever seems good 15to you.” So 16the priest said, “Let’s approach God here.” 37So Saul 17inquired of God: “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You hand them over to Israel?” But 18He did not answer him on that day. 38Then Saul said, “1920Come here, all you 21leaders of the people, and investigate and see how this sin has happened today. 39For 22as the Lord lives, who saves Israel, even if it is in my son Jonathan, he shall assuredly 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 my son Jonathan will be on the other side.” And the people said to Saul, “Do what seems good 23to you.” 41Therefore, Saul said to the Lord, the God of Israel, “24Give a 25perfect lot.” And Jonathan and Saul were selected by lot, but the people 26were exonerated. 42Then Saul said, “Cast lots between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was selected by lot.

43So Saul said to Jonathan, “27Tell me what you have done.” And Jonathan told him, and said, “28I did indeed taste a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am, I must die!” 44And Saul said, “29May God do the same to me and more also, for 30you shall certainly die, Jonathan!” 45But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die, he who has 31brought about this great 32victory in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, 33not even a hair of his head shall fall to the ground, because 34he has worked with God this day.” So the people 35rescued Jonathan and he did not die. 46Then Saul went up from 36pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.