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1. Then one day Jonathan son of Saul said to his armor bearer, "Come on, let's go over to the Philistine garrison that is opposite us." But he did not let his father know.
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1. Now it came to pass H1961 upon a day H3117 , that Jonathan H3083 the son H1121 of Saul H7586 said H559 unto H413 the young man H5288 that bore H5375 his armor H3627 , Come H1980 , and let us go over H5674 to H413 the Philistines H6430 ' garrison H4673 , that H834 is on the other side H4480 H5676 H1975 . But he told H5046 not H3808 his father H1 .
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2. Now Saul was sitting under a pomegranate tree in Migron, on the outskirts of Gibeah. The army that was with him numbered about six hundred men.
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2. And Saul H7586 tarried H3427 in the uttermost part H7097 of Gibeah H1390 under H8478 a pomegranate tree H7416 which H834 is in Migron H4051 : and the people H5971 that H834 were with H5973 him were about six H8337 hundred H3967 men H376 ;
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3. Now Ahijah was carrying an ephod. He was the son of Ahitub, who was the brother of Ichabod and a son of Phineas, son of Eli, the priest of the LORD in Shiloh. The army was unaware that Jonathan had left.
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3. And Ahiah H281 , the son H1121 of Ahitub H285 , Ichabod H350 's brother H251 , the son H1121 of Phinehas H6372 , the son H1121 of Eli H5941 , the LORD H3068 's priest H3548 in Shiloh H7887 , wearing H5375 an ephod H646 . And the people H5971 knew H3045 not H3808 that H3588 Jonathan H3083 was gone H1980 .
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4. Now there was a steep cliff on each side of the pass through which Jonathan intended to go to reach the Philistine garrison. One cliff was named Bozez, the other Seneh.
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4. And between H996 the passages H4569 , by which H834 Jonathan H3083 sought H1245 to go over H5674 unto H5921 the Philistines H6430 ' garrison H4673 , there was a sharp H8127 rock H5553 on the one H4480 H2088 side H4480 H5676 , and a sharp H8127 rock H5553 on the other H4480 H2088 side H4480 H5676 : and the name H8034 of the one H259 was Bozez H949 , and the name H8034 of the other H259 Seneh H5573 .
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5. The cliff to the north was closer to Micmash, the one to the south closer to Geba.
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5. The forefront H8127 of the one H259 was situated H4690 northward H4480 H6828 over against H4136 Michmash H4363 , and the other H259 southward H4480 H5045 over against H4136 Gibeah H1387 .
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6. Jonathan said to his armor bearer, "Come on, let's go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will intervene for us. Nothing can prevent the LORD from delivering, whether by many or by a few."
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6. And Jonathan H3083 said H559 to H413 the young man H5288 that bore H5375 his armor H3627 , Come H1980 , and let us go over H5674 unto H413 the garrison H4673 of these H428 uncircumcised H6189 : it may be that H194 the LORD H3068 will work H6213 for us: for H3588 there is no H369 restraint H4622 to the LORD H3068 to save H3467 by many H7227 or H176 by few H4592 .
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7. His armor bearer said to him, "Do everything that is on your mind. Do as you're inclined. I'm with you all the way!"
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7. And his armorbearer H3627 H5375 said H559 unto him, Do H6213 all H3605 that H834 is in thine heart H3824 : turn H5186 thee; behold H2009 , I am with H5973 thee according to thy heart H3824 .
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8. Jonathan replied, "All right! We'll go over to these men and fight them.
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8. Then said H559 Jonathan H3083 , Behold H2009 , we H587 will pass over H5674 unto H413 these men H376 , and we will discover ourselves H1540 unto H413 them.
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9. If they say to us, 'Stay put until we approach you,' we will stay right there and not go up to them.
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9. If H518 they say H559 thus H3541 unto H413 us, Tarry H1826 until H5704 we come H5060 to H413 you ; then we will stand still H5975 in our place H8478 , and will not H3808 go up H5927 unto H413 them.
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10. But if they say, 'Come up against us,' we will go up. For in that case the LORD has given them into our hand� it will be a sign to us."
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10. But if H518 they say H559 thus H3541 , Come up H5927 unto H5921 us ; then we will go up H5927 : for H3588 the LORD H3068 hath delivered H5414 them into our hand H3027 : and this H2088 shall be a sign H226 unto us.
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11. When they made themselves known to the Philistine garrison, the Philistines said, "Look! The Hebrews are coming out of the holes in which they hid themselves."
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11. And both H8147 of them discovered themselves H1540 unto H413 the garrison H4673 of the Philistines H6430 : and the Philistines H6430 said H559 , Behold H2009 , the Hebrews H5680 come forth H3318 out of H4480 the holes H2356 where H834 H8033 they had hid themselves H2244 .
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12. Then the men of the garrison said to Jonathan and his armor bearer, "Come on up to us so we can teach you a thing or two!" Then Jonathan said to his armor bearer, "Come up behind me, for the LORD has given them into the hand of Israel!"
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12. And the men H376 of the garrison H4675 answered H6030 H853 Jonathan H3083 and his armorbearer H3627 H5375 , and said H559 , Come up H5927 to H413 us , and we will show H3045 you a thing H1697 . And Jonathan H3083 said H559 unto H413 his armorbearer H3627 H5375 , Come up H5927 after H310 me: for H3588 the LORD H3068 hath delivered H5414 them into the hand H3027 of Israel H3478 .
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13. Jonathan crawled up on his hands and feet, with his armor bearer following behind him. Jonathan struck down the Philistines, while his armor bearer came along behind him and killed them.
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13. And Jonathan H3083 climbed up H5927 upon H5921 his hands H3027 and upon H5921 his feet H7272 , and his armorbearer H3627 H5375 after H310 him : and they fell H5307 before H6440 Jonathan H3083 ; and his armorbearer H3627 H5375 slew H4191 after H310 him.
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14. In this initial skirmish Jonathan and his armor bearer struck down about twenty men in an area that measured half an acre.
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14. And that first H7223 slaughter H4347 , which H834 Jonathan H3083 and his armorbearer H3627 H5375 made H5221 , was H1961 about twenty H6242 men H376 , within as it were a half H2677 acre H4618 of land H7704 , which a yoke H6776 of oxen might plow .
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15. Then fear overwhelmed those who were in the camp, those who were in the field, all the army in the garrison, and the raiding bands. They trembled and the ground shook. This fear was caused by God.
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15. And there was H1961 trembling H2731 in the host H4264 , in the field H7704 , and among all H3605 the people H5971 : the garrison H4673 , and the spoilers H7843 , they H1992 also H1571 trembled H2729 , and the earth H776 quaked H7264 : so it was H1961 a very great H430 trembling H2731 .
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16. Saul's watchmen at Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin looked on as the crowd of soldiers seemed to melt away first in one direction and then in another.
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16. And the watchmen H6822 of Saul H7586 in Gibeah H1390 of Benjamin H1144 looked H7200 ; and, behold H2009 , the multitude H1995 melted away H4127 , and they went H1980 on beating down H1986 one another .
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17. So Saul said to the army that was with him, "Muster the troops and see who is no longer with us." When they mustered the troops, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there.
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17. Then said H559 Saul H7586 unto the people H5971 that H834 were with H854 him, Number H6485 now H4994 , and see H7200 who H4310 is gone H1980 from H4480 H5973 us . And when they had numbered H6485 , behold H2009 , Jonathan H3083 and his armorbearer H3627 H5375 were not H369 there .
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18. So Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring near the ephod," for he was at that time wearing the ephod.
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18. And Saul H7586 said H559 unto Ahiah H281 , Bring hither H5066 the ark H727 of God H430 . For H3588 the ark H727 of God H430 was H1961 at that H1931 time H3117 with the children H1121 of Israel H3478 .
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19. While Saul spoke to the priest, the panic in the Philistines' camp was becoming greater and greater. So Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand!"
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19. And it came to pass H1961 , while H5704 Saul H7586 talked H1696 unto H413 the priest H3548 , that the noise H1995 that H834 was in the host H4264 of the Philistines H6430 went on H1980 and increased H1980 H7227 : and Saul H7586 said H559 unto H413 the priest H3548 , Withdraw H622 thine hand H3027 .
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20. Saul and all the army that was with him assembled and marched into battle, where they found the Philistines in total panic killing one another with their swords.
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20. And Saul H7586 and all H3605 the people H5971 that H834 were with H854 him assembled themselves H2199 , and they came H935 to H5704 the battle H4421 : and, behold H2009 , every man H376 's sword H2719 was H1961 against his fellow H7453 , and there was a very H3966 great H1419 discomfiture H4103 .
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21. The Hebrews who had earlier gone over to the Philistine side joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
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21. Moreover the Hebrews H5680 that were H1961 with the Philistines H6430 before H865 that time H8032 , which H834 went up H5927 with H5973 them into the camp H4264 from the country round about H5439 , even they H1992 also H1571 turned to be H1961 with H5973 the Israelites H3478 that H834 were with H5973 Saul H7586 and Jonathan H3083 .
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22. When all the Israelites who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines had fled, they too pursued them in battle.
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22. Likewise all H3605 the men H376 of Israel H3478 which had hid themselves H2244 in mount H2022 Ephraim H669 , when they heard H8085 that H3588 the Philistines H6430 fled H5127 , even they H1992 also H1571 followed hard H1692 after H310 them in the battle H4421 .
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23. So the LORD delivered Israel that day, and the battle shifted over to Beth Aven.
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23. So the LORD H3068 saved H3467 H853 Israel H3478 that H1931 day H3117 : and the battle H4421 passed over H5674 unto H853 Beth H1007 -aven.
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24. Now the men of Israel were hard pressed that day, for Saul had made the army agree to this oath: "Cursed be the man who eats food before evening! I will get my vengeance on my enemies!" So no one in the army ate anything.
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24. And the men H376 of Israel H3478 were distressed H5065 that H1931 day H3117 : for Saul H7586 had adjured H422 H853 the people H5971 , saying H559 , Cursed H779 be the man H376 that H834 eateth H398 any food H3899 until H5704 evening H6153 , that I may be avenged H5358 on mine enemies H4480 H341 . So none H3808 H3605 of the people H5971 tasted H2938 any food H3899 .
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25. Now the whole army entered the forest and there was honey on the ground.
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25. And all H3605 they of the land H776 came H935 to a wood H3293 ; and there was H1961 honey H1706 upon H5921 H6440 the ground H7704 .
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26. When the army entered the forest, they saw the honey flowing, but no one ate any of it, for the army was afraid of the oath.
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26. And when the people H5971 were come H935 into H413 the wood H3293 , behold H2009 , the honey H1706 dropped H1982 ; but no H369 man put H5381 his hand H3027 to H413 his mouth H6310 : for H3588 the people H5971 feared H3372 H853 the oath H7621 .
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27. But Jonathan had not heard about the oath his father had made the army take. He extended the end of his staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb. When he ate it, his eyes gleamed.
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27. But Jonathan H3083 heard H8085 not H3808 when his father H1 charged the people with the oath H7650 H853 H5971 : wherefore he put forth H7971 H853 the end H7097 of the rod H4294 that H834 was in his hand H3027 , and dipped H2881 it H853 in a honeycomb H3295 H1706 , and put H7725 his hand H3027 to H413 his mouth H6310 ; and his eyes H5869 were enlightened H215 .
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28. Then someone from the army informed him, "Your father put the army under a strict oath saying, 'Cursed be the man who eats food today!' That is why the army is tired."
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28. Then answered H6030 one H376 of the people H4480 H5971 , and said H559 , Thy father H1 straitly charged the people with an oath H7650 H7650 H853 H5971 , saying H559 , Cursed H779 be the man H376 that H834 eateth H398 any food H3899 this day H3117 . And the people H5971 were faint H5888 .
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29. Then Jonathan said, "My father has caused trouble for the land. See how my eyes gleamed when I tasted just a little of this honey.
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29. Then said H559 Jonathan H3083 , My father H1 hath troubled H5916 H853 the land H776 : see H7200 , I pray you H4994 , how H3588 mine eyes H5869 have been enlightened H215 , because H3588 I tasted H2938 a little H4592 of this H2088 honey H1706 .
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30. Certainly if the army had eaten some of the enemies' provisions that they came across today, would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?"
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30. How much more H637 H3588 , if haply H3588 H3863 the people H5971 had eaten freely H398 H398 today H3117 of the spoil H4480 H7998 of their enemies H341 which H834 they found H4672 ? for H3588 had there not H3808 been now H6258 a much greater H7235 slaughter H4347 among the Philistines H6430 ?
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31. On that day the army struck down the Philistines from Micmash to Aijalon, and they became very tired.
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31. And they smote H5221 the Philistines H6430 that H1931 day H3117 from Michmash H4480 H4363 to Aijalon H357 : and the people H5971 were very H3966 faint H5888 .
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32. So the army rushed greedily on the plunder, confiscating sheep, cattle, and calves. They slaughtered them right on the ground, and the army ate them blood and all.
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32. And the people H5971 flew H6213 upon H413 the spoil H7998 , and took H3947 sheep H6629 , and oxen H1241 , and calves H1121 H1241 , and slew H7819 them on the ground H776 : and the people H5971 did eat H398 them with H5921 the blood H1818 .
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33. Now it was reported to Saul, "Look, the army is sinning against the LORD by eating even the blood." He said, "All of you have broken the covenant! Roll a large stone over here to me."
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33. Then they told H5046 Saul H7586 , saying H559 , Behold H2009 , the people H5971 sin H2398 against the LORD H3068 , in that they eat H398 with H5921 the blood H1818 . And he said H559 , Ye have transgressed H898 : roll H1556 a great H1419 stone H68 unto H413 me this day H3117 .
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34. Then Saul said, "Scatter out among the army and say to them, 'Each of you bring to me your ox and sheep and slaughter them in this spot and eat. But don't sin against the LORD by eating the blood." So that night each one brought his ox and slaughtered it there.
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34. And Saul H7586 said H559 , Disperse yourselves H6327 among the people H5971 , and say H559 unto them , Bring me hither H5066 H413 every man H376 his ox H7794 , and every man H376 his sheep H7716 , and slay H7819 them here H2088 , and eat H398 ; and sin H2398 not H3808 against the LORD H3068 in eating H398 with H413 the blood H1818 . And all H3605 the people H5971 brought H5066 every man H376 his ox H7794 with H3027 him that night H3915 , and slew H7819 them there H8033 .
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35. Then Saul built an altar for the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar for the LORD.
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35. And Saul H7586 built H1129 an altar H4196 unto the LORD H3068 : the same was the first H2490 altar H4196 that he built H1129 unto the LORD H3068 .
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36. Saul said, "Let's go down after the Philistines at night; we will rout them until the break of day. We won't leave any of them alive!" They replied, "Do whatever seems best to you." But the priest said, "Let's approach God here."
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36. And Saul H7586 said H559 , Let us go down H3381 after H310 the Philistines H6430 by night H3915 , and spoil H962 them until H5704 the morning H1242 light H216 , and let us not H3808 leave H7604 a man H376 of them . And they said H559 , Do H6213 whatsoever H3605 seemeth H5869 good H2896 unto thee . Then said H559 the priest H3548 , Let us draw near H7126 hither H1988 unto H413 God H430 .
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37. So Saul asked God, "Should I go down after the Philistines? Will you deliver them into the hand of Israel?" But he did not answer him that day.
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37. And Saul H7586 asked counsel H7592 of God H430 , Shall I go down H3381 after H310 the Philistines H6430 ? wilt thou deliver H5414 them into the hand H3027 of Israel H3478 ? But he answered H6030 him not H3808 that H1931 day H3117 .
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38. Then Saul said, "All you leaders of the army come here. Find out how this sin occurred today.
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38. And Saul H7586 said H559 , Draw ye near H5066 hither H1988 , all H3605 the chief H6438 of the people H5971 : and know H3045 and see H7200 wherein H4100 this sin H2403 hath been H1961 this H2063 day H3117 .
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39. For as surely as the LORD, the deliverer of Israel, lives, even if it turns out to be my own son Jonathan, he will certainly die!" But no one from the army said anything.
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39. For H3588 , as the LORD H3068 liveth H2416 , which saveth H3467 H853 Israel H3478 , though H3588 H518 it be H3426 in Jonathan H3083 my son H1121 , he shall surely die H4191 H4191 . But there was not a man H369 among all H4480 H3605 the people H5971 that answered H6030 him.
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40. Then he said to all Israel, "You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side." The army replied to Saul, "Do whatever you think is best."
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40. Then said H559 he unto H413 all H3605 Israel H3478 , Be H1961 ye H859 on one H259 side H5676 , and I H589 and Jonathan H3083 my son H1121 will be H1961 on the other H259 side H5676 . And the people H5971 said H559 unto H413 Saul H7586 , Do H6213 what seemeth H5869 good H2896 unto thee.
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41. Then Saul said, "O LORD God of Israel! If this sin has been committed by me or by my son Jonathan, then, O LORD God of Israel, respond with Urim. But if this sin has been committed by your people Israel, respond with Thummim." Then Jonathan and Saul were indicated by lot, while the army was exonerated.
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41. Therefore Saul H7586 said H559 unto H413 the LORD H3068 God H430 of Israel H3478 , Give H3051 a perfect H8549 lot . And Saul H7586 and Jonathan H3083 were taken H3920 : but the people H5971 escaped H3318 .
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42. Then Saul said, "Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan!" Jonathan was indicated by lot.
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42. And Saul H7586 said H559 , Cast H5307 lots between H996 me and Jonathan H3083 my son H1121 . And Jonathan H3083 was taken H3920 .
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43. So Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." Jonathan told him, "I used the end of the staff that was in my hand to taste a little honey. I must die!"
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43. Then Saul H7586 said H559 to H413 Jonathan H3083 , Tell H5046 me what H4100 thou hast done H6213 . And Jonathan H3083 told H5046 him , and said H559 , I did but taste H2938 H2938 a little H4592 honey H1706 with the end H7097 of the rod H4294 that H834 was in mine hand H3027 , and , lo H2009 , I must die H4191 .
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44. Saul said, "God will punish me severely if Jonathan doesn't die!"
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44. And Saul H7586 answered H559 , God H430 do H6213 so H3541 and more H3254 also H3541 : for H3588 thou shalt surely die H4191 H4191 , Jonathan H3083 .
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45. But the army said to Saul, "Should Jonathan, who won this great victory in Israel, die? May it never be! As surely as the LORD lives, not a single hair of his head will fall to the ground! For it is with the help of God that he has acted today." So the army rescued Jonathan from death.
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45. And the people H5971 said H559 unto H413 Saul H7586 , Shall Jonathan H3083 die H4191 , who H834 hath wrought H6213 this H2063 great H1419 salvation H3444 in Israel H3478 ? God forbid H2486 : as the LORD H3068 liveth H2416 , there shall not H518 one hair H4480 H8185 of his head H7218 fall H5307 to the ground H776 ; for H3588 he hath wrought H6213 with H5973 God H430 this H2088 day H3117 . So the people H5971 rescued H6299 H853 Jonathan H3083 , that he died H4191 not H3808 .
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46. Then Saul stopped chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines went back home.
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46. Then Saul H7586 went up H5927 from following H4480 H310 the Philistines H6430 : and the Philistines H6430 went H1980 to their own place H4725 .
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47. After Saul had secured his royal position over Israel, he fought against all their enemies on all sides� the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. In every direction that he turned he was victorious.
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47. So Saul H7586 took H3920 the kingdom H4410 over H5921 Israel H3478 , and fought H3898 against all H3605 his enemies H341 on every side H5439 , against Moab H4124 , and against the children H1121 of Ammon H5983 , and against Edom H123 , and against the kings H4428 of Zobah H6678 , and against the Philistines H6430 : and whithersoever H3605 H834 he turned H6437 himself , he vexed H7561 them .
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48. He fought bravely, striking down the Amalekites and delivering Israel from the hand of its enemies.
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48. And he gathered H6213 a host H2428 , and smote H5221 H853 the Amalekites H6002 , and delivered H5337 H853 Israel H3478 out of the hands H4480 H3027 of them that spoiled H8154 them.
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49. The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malki-Shua. He had two daughters; the older one was named Merab and the younger Michal.
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49. Now the sons H1121 of Saul H7586 were H1961 Jonathan H3083 , and Ishui H3440 , and Melchi H4444 -shua : and the names H8034 of his two H8147 daughters H1323 were these ; the name H8034 of the firstborn H1067 Merab H4764 , and the name H8034 of the younger H6996 Michal H4324 :
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50. The name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the general in command of his army was Abner son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
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50. And the name H8034 of Saul H7586 's wife H802 was Ahinoam H293 , the daughter H1323 of Ahimaaz H290 : and the name H8034 of the captain H8269 of his host H6635 was Abner H74 , the son H1121 of Ner H5369 , Saul H7586 's uncle H1730 .
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51. Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
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51. And Kish H7027 was the father H1 of Saul H7586 ; and Ner H5369 the father H1 of Abner H74 was the son H1121 of Abiel H22 .
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52. There was fierce war with the Philistines all the days of Saul. So whenever Saul saw anyone who was a warrior or a brave individual, he would conscript him.
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52. And there was H1961 sore H2389 war H4421 against H5921 the Philistines H6430 all H3605 the days H3117 of Saul H7586 : and when Saul H7586 saw H7200 any H3605 strong H1368 man H376 , or any H3605 valiant H2428 man H1121 , he took H622 him unto H413 him.
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