1 Samuel 14:24-46

24And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had solemnly charged the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on my enemies. So none of the people tasted any food. 25And all they of the land came to a forest; and there was honey upon the ground. 26And when the people had come into the forest, behold, the honey flowed; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath. 27But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: therefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened. 28Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.1 29Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how my eyes have become bright, because I tasted a little of this honey. 30How much better, if only the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines? 31And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint. 32And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people ate them with the blood. 33Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone to me this day.2 34And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them, Bring me here every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.3 35And Saul built an altar to the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built to the LORD.4

36And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatever seemeth good to thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near to God here. 37And 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. 38And Saul said, Come ye here, all the chief of the people: and know and see what this sin hath been this day.5 39For, as the LORD liveth, who saveth Israel, though it is in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him. 40Then said he to all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said to Saul, Do what seemeth good to thee. 41Therefore Saul said to the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot . And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.67 42And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken. 43Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand, and, lo, I must die. 44And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan. 45And the people said to Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? By no means: as the LORD 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. 46Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.