1 Uns dias mais tarde, disse Jónatas ao moço que lhe levava as armas: "Vamos atravessar o vale até à guarnição dos filisteus." Mas não avisou o pai do que tencionava fazer.

2 Saul mais os seus 600 homens continuavam acampados nos limites de Gibeá, no sítio da romeira de Migrom. 3 Entre a sua gente encontrava-se o sacerdote Aías que era filho de Aitube, irmão de Icabode; Aitube era neto de Fineias e bisneto de Eli, o sacerdote do Senhor em Silo.

Ninguém se deu conta da ausência de Jónatas. 4 Para chegar à guarnição inimiga, Jónatas era obrigado a passar por um intervalo entre duas rochas muito íngremes, às quais se tinha dado o nome de Bozez e Sené. 5 A rocha a norte estava defronte de Micmás e a sul diante de Gibeá.

6 "Vamos ter com estes pagãos", disse Jónatas ao seu escudeiro. "Talvez o Senhor faça um milagre a nosso favor. Para ele não conta o número das tropas inimigas que aqui se encontram!"

7 "Está certo!", replicou o escudeiro. "Faz como melhor entenderes. Estou contigo de alma e coração seja qual for a tua decisão."

8 "Então vamos fazer assim: Quando eles nos virem, 9 se disserem, ‘Fiquem onde estão, se não matamos-vos!’, deixamo-nos ficar e esperamos que eles se cheguem. 10 Mas se disserem, ‘Venham, subam até aqui!’, faremos o que nos disserem, pois será o sinal de que Deus nos ajudará a derrotá-los."

11 Quando os filisteus os viram aproximar-se, gritaram: "Os israelitas já estão a surgir das tocas para onde fugiram!" 12 E disseram para Jónatas e para o seu escudeiro: "Subam até aqui para que vos demos uma boa lição!"

"Anda, trepa atrás de mim", disse Jónatas ao moço escudeiro, "porque Deus vai ajudar-nos a vencê-los!"

13 Então amarinharam, apoiando-se nos pés e nas mãos, e chegando junto dos filisteus começaram a atacá-los. Jónatas derrubava-os e o escudeiro, atrás dele, acabava de os matar. 14 Assim, uns vinte homens foram abatidos no espaço dum simples campo.

15 Foi o suficiente para que repentinamente o pânico se apoderasse de todo o exército filisteu e até da própria tropa de choque. A terra tremeu e um grande medo de Deus caiu sobre todos.

16 As sentinelas de Saul, em Gibeá, no território de Benjamim, olharam e viram aquele vasto exército inimigo dispersando e fugindo em todas as direções.

17 "Vejam quem é que falta, dos nossos", mandou Saul. Fizeram a chamada e verificaram que era Jónatas e o seu escudeiro. 18 "Tragam aqui a arca de Deus!", ordenou Saul a Aías. Nessa altura, a arca andava entre o povo. 19 Enquanto Saul falava com o sacerdote, os gritos e o alvoroço no campo dos filisteus ia aumentando cada vez mais, pelo que lhe disse: "Já não há tempo!"

20 Então Saul e os homens que com ele estavam avançaram para a peleja e deram com os filisteus a matarem-se uns aos outros numa tremenda confusão. 21 Até havia, do lado dos filisteus, hebreus que tinham estado com eles e que agora se juntavam aos israelitas. 22 Finalmente, todos aqueles que se tinham escondido nas montanhas, quando viram os filisteus a fugir, vieram também e puseram-se a persegui-los. 23 Foi assim que o Senhor salvou a Israel nesse dia e a batalha continuou para além de Bete-Aven.

24-26 Saul declarou: "Maldito todo aquele que ingerir seja o que for antes do anoitecer, antes que me tenha vingado completamente dos meus inimigos." Por isso, ninguém comeu nada durante esse dia, mesmo quando ao chegarem a um bosque encontraram muito mel pelo chão, porque toda a gente receava a maldição de Saul.

27 Jónatas não tinha ouvido a ordem do pai e, pegando num pau, levou algum mel à boca e sentiu-se muito melhor. 28 Foi só nessa altura que alguém lhe comunicou que o seu pai tinha amaldiçoado quem comesse alguma coisa antes do anoitecer. Por isso, todos os homens estavam esgotados e desfaleciam.

29 "É ridículo!", exclamou Jónatas. "Uma ordem dessas só serve para vos retirar as forças. Vejam como eu me sinto muito mais renovado agora que comi aquele pedaço de mel. 30 Se o povo tivesse tido autorização para comer os alimentos que tivessem encontrado entre os nossos inimigos, poderíamos ter feito uma matança muito maior!"

31 Mesmo assim, cansados e com fome, continuaram a perseguir e a matar filisteus, todo esse dia, desde Micmás até Aijalom, até não poder mais, devido à falta de forças. 32 Por fim, lançaram-se sobre os despojos da batalha, mataram ovelhas, bois, vacas e bezerros e comeram-nos mesmo com sangue. 33 Alguém veio dar a notícia a Saul, dizendo-lhe o que estava a acontecer, que o povo pecava contra o Senhor ao comer carne com o sangue.

"Isso é uma infâmia!", exclamou Saul. "Tragam para aqui uma grande pedra. 34 Vão por entre as tropas e digam para trazerem os bois e os cordeiros e que os comam então, mas depois de terem escorrido o sangue; que não pequem contra o Senhor comendo-o." Assim fizeram. 35 E Saul construiu um altar. Foi o primeiro altar que edificou ao Senhor.

36 Depois declarou o seguinte: "Vamos perseguir os filisteus durante toda a noite e não deixemos um só com vida!"

"De acordo!", disseram os que estavam com ele. "Faz como melhor entenderes."

No entanto, o sacerdote lembrou: "Temos primeiro de consultar a Deus."

37 Saul perguntou a Deus: "Deveremos ir atrás dos filisteus? Ajudar-nos-ás a derrotá-los?" Mas Deus nada respondeu durante toda a noite.

38 Então Saul dirigiu-se aos chefes do povo: "Há qualquer coisa de errado! Temos de saber que pecado foi cometido hoje. 39 Tão certo como vive o Senhor, que salvou a Israel, que mesmo que se trate do meu próprio filho Jónatas, certamente morrerá!" Mas ninguém entre o povo lhe disse de que perturbação se tratava.

40 Saul propôs o seguinte: "Jónatas e eu próprio nos poremos aqui e vocês estarão aí defronte de nós." Todo o povo concordou.

41 Depois Saul dirigiu-se ao Senhor, Deus de Israel: "Porque é que não respondeste à minha pergunta? O que é que está errado? Seremos nós, Jónatas e eu culpados, ou estará o pecado do lado dos outros? Mostra-nos de quem é a culpa." Jónatas e Saul foram escolhidos, pelas sortes sagradas, como sendo os culpados e o povo foi declarado inocente.

42 Saul então acrescentou: "Sendo assim lancem de novo sortes entre mim e Jónatas." E desta vez foi Jónatas o escolhido como culpado.

43 "Diz-me o que foi que fizeste", pediu ele ao filho.

"Provei um bocado de mel", confessou Jónatas. "Foi apenas uma pequena porção na ponta dum pau e agora sei que devo morrer."

44 "Sim, Jónatas, deves morrer. Que Deus me tire a vida a mim, se não fores efetivamente executado por causa do que fizeste."

45 No entanto, o povo interveio. "Jónatas, que salvou hoje a Israel, ter de morrer? Isso nunca! Tão certo como vive o Senhor, que não se tocará num só cabelo da sua cabeça, porque foi usado por Deus para fazer hoje um grande milagre entre nós." Desta forma, o povo o salvou. 46 Saul mandou recolher o exército. Os filisteus deixaram de ser perseguidos e regressaram às suas próprias terras.

47 Já seguro como rei de Israel, Saul enviou o exército lutar contra Moabe, Amon, Edom, os reis de Zobá e os filisteus. Para onde se voltasse triunfava. 48 Cometeu grandes feitos e conquistou os amalequitas, salvando Israel daqueles que antes tinham sido seus conquistadores.

49 Saul tinha três filhos: Jónatas, Isvi e Malquisua; e duas filhas: Merabe e Mical que era a mais nova. 50 A mulher de Saul chamava-se Ainoã e era filha de Aimaaz. O general comandante do exército era o seu primo Abner, filho de Ner, tio de Saul. 51 Ner, o pai de Abner, e Cis, o pai de Saul, eram irmãos, filhos de Abiel.

52 Durante todo o tempo do reinado de Saul, os israelitas combateram os filisteus. E sempre que Saul via um homem valente e forte alistava-o no seu exército.

1 Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.*14.1 it came…: or, there was a day 2 And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men; 3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, I-chabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD’s priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.*14.3 Ahiah: called Ahimelech

4 And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. 5 The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.*14.5 forefront: Heb. tooth 6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few. 7 And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart. 8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them. 9 If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.*14.9 Tarry: Heb. Be still 10 But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us. 11 And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves. 12 And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel. 13 And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him. 14 And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.*14.14 an…: or, half a furrow of an acre of land 15 And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.*14.15 a very…: Heb. a trembling of God

16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another. 17 Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there. 18 And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.

19 And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.*14.19 noise: or, tumult 20 And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.*14.20 assembled…: Heb. were cried together 21 Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle. 23 So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Beth-aven.

24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food. 25 And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground. 26 And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath. 27 But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore 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. 28 Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.*14.28 faint: or, weary 29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey. 30 How much more, if haply 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? 31 And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint. 32 And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.

33 Then 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 unto me this day.*14.33 transgressed: or, dealt treacherously 34 And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither 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.*14.34 with him: Heb. in his hand 35 And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.*14.35 the same…: Heb. that altar he began to build unto the LORD

36 And 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 whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God. 37 And 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. 38 And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.*14.38 chief: Heb. corners 39 For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him. 40 Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee. 41 Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.*14.41 Give…: or, Shew the innocent*14.41 escaped: Heb. went forth 42 And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken. 43 Then 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 mine hand, and, lo, I must die. 44 And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan. 45 And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: 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. 46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.

47 So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them. 48 And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.*14.48 gathered…: or, wrought mightily 49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchi-shua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal: 50 And the name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.*14.50 Abner: Heb. Abiner 51 And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. 52 And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.