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MAY 6
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the hand of Israel.” And Jonathan climbed up 26 And when the people had come into the
on his hands and knees with his armorbearer woods, there was the honey, dripping; but no
after him; and they fell before Jonathan. And one put his hand to his mouth, for the people
as he came after him, his armorbearer killed feared the oath. But Jonathan had not heard
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them. That first slaughter which Jonathan his father charge the people with the oath;
and his armorbearer made was about twenty therefore he stretched out the end of the rod
men within about half an acre of land. that was in his hand and dipped it in a honey-
15 And there was trembling in the camp, in comb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his
the field, and among all the people. The garri- countenance brightened. Then one of the peo-
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son and the raiders also trembled; and the ple said, “Your father strictly charged the people
earth quaked, so that it was a very great trem- with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who
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bling. Now the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah eats food this day.’ ” And the people were faint.
of Benjamin looked, and there was the multi- 29 But Jonathan said, “My father has troubled
tude, melting away; and they went here and the land. Look now, how my countenance has
brightened because I tasted a little of this
honey. How much better if the people had
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eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies
which they found! For now would there not
14:15 the earth quaked. The earthquake have been a much greater slaughter among
affirms the fact that divine intervention aided the Philistines?”
Jonathan and his armorbearer in their raid. 31 Now they had driven back the Philistines
The earthquake caused a panic among the that day from Michmash to Aijalon. So the peo-
Philistines. God would have intervened on ple were very faint. And the people rushed on
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Saul’s behalf in such a manner had he chosen
to be faithfully patient (see 13:9). the spoil, and took sheep, oxen, and calves,
and slaughtered them on the ground; and the
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people ate them with the blood. Then they
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there. Then Saul said to the people who were told Saul, saying, “Look, the people are sinning
with him, “Now call the roll and see who has against the LORD by eating with the blood!”
gone from us.” And when they had called the So he said, “You have dealt treacherously;
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roll, surprisingly, Jonathan and his armorbear- roll a large stone to me this day.” Then Saul
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er were not there. And Saul said to Ahijah, said, “Disperse yourselves among the people,
“Bring the ark of God here” (for at that time and say to them, ‘Bring me here every man’s
the ark of God was with the children of Israel). ox and every man’s sheep, slaughter them
19 Now it happened, while Saul talked to the here, and eat; and do not sin against the LORD
priest, that the noise which was in the camp of by eating with the blood.’ ” So every one of the
the Philistines continued to increase; so Saul people brought his ox with him that night, and
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said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” slaughtered it there. Then Saul built an altar
20 Then Saul and all the people who were with to the LORD. This was the first altar that he
him assembled, and they went to the battle; built to the LORD.
and indeed every man’s sword was against his 36 Now Saul said, “Let us go down after the
neighbor, and there was very great confusion. Philistines by night, and plunder them until
21 Moreover the Hebrews who were with the the morning light; and let us not leave a man
Philistines before that time, who went up with of them.”
them into the camp from the surrounding And they said, “Do whatever seems good to
country, they also joined the Israelites who you.”
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were with Saul and Jonathan. Likewise all the Then the priest said, “Let us draw near to
men of Israel who had hidden in the moun- God here.”
tains of Ephraim, when they heard that the 37 So Saul asked counsel of God, “Shall I go
Philistines fled, they also followed hard after down after the Philistines? Will You deliver
them in the battle. So the LORD saved Israel them into the hand of Israel?” But He did not
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that day, and the battle shifted to Beth Aven. answer him that day. And Saul said, “Come
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24 And the men of Israel were distressed that over here, all you chiefs of the people, and know
day, for Saul had placed the people under oath, and see what this sin was today. For as the
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saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food LORD lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jon-
until evening, before I have taken vengeance on athan my son, he shall surely die.” But not a
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my enemies.” So none of the people tasted man among all the people answered him. Then
food. Now all the people of the land came to a he said to all Israel, “You be on one side, and my
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forest; and there was honey on the ground. son Jonathan and I will be on the other side.”
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