Study Desk

So in the day of the battle, there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan; but Saul and Jonathan his son had them.

NOW it came to pass 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 that is on the other side yonder. But he did not tell his father.

And Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, Come, let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will help us; for nothing will prevent the LORD from saving by many or by few.

And his armorbearer said to him, Do all that is in your heart; turn aside, and go; beho ld, I am with you; do whatever is in your heart.

And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armorbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will show you something. And Jonathan said to his armorbearer, Come up after me; for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.

And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and on his feet, and his armor-bearer followed after him; and the Philistine garrison retreated before Jonathan; and his armorbearer slew with him.

And the first slaughter which Jonathan and his armorbearer made was about twenty men; they cut them to pieces like stone-cutters and like men who plough a field.

Then Saul said to the people that were with him, Take a count and see who is gone from us. And when they had mustered, behold, Jonathan and his armorbearer were not there.

Then Saul and all the people who were with him shouted together, and they came to the battle; and, behold, every mans sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great confusion.

And when the people were come into the forest, behold, the honey was dropping; but no one put his hand to his mouth; for the people feared the oath.

But Jonathan had not heard when his father adjured the people; so he put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and dipped it in a honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes brightened.

And Saul said, Go round about among the people and say to them, Bring every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and do not sin against the LORD in eating flesh with the blood. So all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.

And Saul built there an altar to the LORD; thus he began to build his first altar to the LORD.

And the people said to Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who has wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid; as the LORD lives, there shall not a hair of his head fall to the ground; for he has saved the people of God this day. So the people delivered Jonathan and he did not die.

And Saul took the kingship over Israel, and he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab and against the children of Ammon and against Edom and against the kingdom of Zobah and against the Philistines; and wherever he turned he was victorious.

Now these were the sons of Saul: Jonathan, Ishui, Melchi-shua, and Ashbashul; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the elder Nadab, and the name of the younger Malchel;

And the name of Sauls wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz; and the name of the general of his army was Abner, the son of Ner, Sauls uncle.

SAMUEL said to Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint you to be king over his people Israel. Now therefore hearken to the voice of the words of the LORD.

And Samuel came to Saul; and Saul said to him, Blessed be the LORD, who has performed his commandment.

And Samuel said, The LORD is not as well pleased with burnt offerings and sacrifices as with one who obeys his voice. Behold, to obey is better than sacrifices, and to hearken, than the fat of rams.