I Samuelis 14

1 Et accidit quadam die ut diceret Ionathas filius Saul ad adolescentem armigerum suum: Veni, et transeamus ad stationem Philisthinorum, quæ est trans locum illum. Patri autem suo hoc ipsum non indicavit.

One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But Jonathan did not tell his father.

2 Porro Saul morabatur in extrema parte Gabaa sub malogranato, quæ erat in Magron: et erat populus cum eo quasi sexcentorum virorum.

Meanwhile, Saul was staying under the pomegranate tree in Migron on the outskirts of Gibeah. And the troops who were with him numbered about six hundred men,

3 Et Achias filius Achitob fratris Ichabod filii Phinees, qui ortus fuerat ex Heli sacerdote Domini in Silo, portabat ephod. Sed et populus ignorabat quo isset Ionathas.

including Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli the priest of the LORD in Shiloh. But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left.

4 Erant autem inter ascensus, per quos nitebatur Ionathas transire ad stationem Philisthinorum, eminentes petræ ex utraque parte, et quasi in modum dentium scopuli hinc et inde prærupti, nomen uni Boses, et nomen alteri Sene:

Now there were cliffs on both sides of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost. One was named Bozez and the other Seneh.

5 unus scopulus prominens ad Aquilonem ex adverso Machmas, et alter ad Meridiem contra Gabaa.

One cliff stood to the north toward Michmash, and the other to the south toward Geba.

6 Dixit autem Ionathas ad adolescentem armigerum suum: Veni, transeamus ad stationem incircumcisorum horum, si forte faciat Dominus pro nobis: quia non est Domino difficile salvare, vel in multis, vel in paucis.

Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”

7 Dixitque ei armiger suus: Fac omnia, quæ placent animo tuo: perge quo cupis, et ero tecum ubicumque volueris.

His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

8 Et ait Ionathas: Ecce nos transimus ad viros istos. Cumque apparuerimus eis,

“Very well,” said Jonathan, “we will cross over toward these men and show ourselves to them.

9 si taliter locuti fuerint ad nos, manete donec veniamus ad vos: stemus in loco nostro, nec ascendamus ad eos.

If they say, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stay where we are and will not go up to them.

10 Si autem dixerint: Ascendite ad nos: ascendamus, quia tradidit eos Dominus in manibus nostris, hoc erit nobis signum.

But if they say, ‘Come on up,’ then we will go up, because this will be our sign that the LORD has delivered them into our hands.”

11 Apparuit igitur uterque stationi Philisthinorum: dixeruntque Philisthiim: En Hebræi egrediuntur de cavernis, in quibus absconditi fuerant.

So the two of them showed themselves to the outpost of the Philistines, who exclaimed, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes in which they were hiding!”

12 Et locuti sunt viri de statione ad Ionathan, et ad armigerum eius, dixeruntque: Ascendite ad nos, et ostendemus vobis rem. Et ait Ionathas ad armigerum suum: Ascendamus, sequere me: tradidit enim Dominus eos in manus Israel.

So the men of the outpost called out to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come on up, and we will teach you a lesson!” “Follow me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.”

13 Ascendit autem Ionathas manibus et pedibus reptans, et armiger eius post eum. Itaque alii cadebant ante Ionathan, alios armiger eius interficiebat sequens eum.

So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. And the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off.

14 Et facta est plaga prima, qua percussit Ionathas et armiger eius, quasi viginti virorum in media parte iugeri, quam par boum in die arare consuevit.

In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men over half an acre of land.

15 Et factum est miraculum in castris, per agros: sed et omnis populus stationis eorum, qui ierant ad prædandum, obstupuit, et conturbata est terra: et accidit quasi miraculum a Deo.

Then terror struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked and panic spread from God.

16 Et respexerunt speculatores Saul, qui erant in Gabaa Beniamin, et ecce multitudo prostrata, et huc illucque diffugiens.

Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction,

17 Et ait Saul populo, qui erat cum eo: Requirite, et videte quis abierit ex nobis. Cumque requisissent, repertum est non adesse Ionathan, et armigerum eius.

Saul said to the troops who were with him, “Call the roll and see who has left us.” And when they had called the roll, they saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there.

18 Et ait Saul ad Achiam: Applica arcam Dei. (Erat enim ibi arca Dei in die illa cum filiis Israel.)

Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.)

19 Cumque loqueretur Saul ad sacerdotem, tumultus magnus exortus est in castris Philisthinorum: crescebatque paulatim, et clarius resonabat. Et ait Saul ad sacerdotem: Contrahe manum tuam.

While Saul was talking to the priest, the commotion in the Philistine camp continued to increase. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”

20 Conclamavit ergo Saul, et omnis populus, qui erat cum eo, et venerunt usque ad locum certaminis: et ecce versus fuerat gladius uniuscuiusque ad proximum suum, et cædes magna nimis.

Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor.

21 Sed et Hebræi qui fuerant cum Philisthiim heri et nudiustertius, ascenderantque cum eis in castris, reversi sunt ut essent cum Israel, qui erant cum Saul et Ionatha.

And the Hebrews who had previously gone up into the surrounding camps of the Philistines now went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.

22 Omnes quoque Israelitæ, qui se absconderant in monte Ephraim, audientes quod fugissent Philisthæi, sociaverunt se cum suis in prælio. Et erant cum Saul, quasi decem millia virorum.

When all the Israelites who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined Saul and Jonathan in the battle.

23 Et salvavit Dominus in die illa Israel. pugna autem pervenit usque ad Bethaven.

So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle moved on beyond Beth-aven.

24 Et viri Israel sociati sunt sibi in die illa: adiuravit autem Saul populum, dicens: Maledictus vir, qui comederit panem usque ad vesperam, donec ulciscar de inimicis meis. Et non manducavit universus populus panem:

Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food.

25 omneque terræ vulgus venit in saltum, in quo erat mel super faciem agri.

Then all the troops entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground.

26 Ingressus est itaque populus saltum, et apparuit fluens mel, nullusque applicuit manum ad os suum. timebat enim populus iuramentum.

And when they entered the forest and saw the flowing honey, not one of them put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath.

27 Porro Ionathas non audierat cum adiuraret pater eius populum: extenditque summitatem virgæ, quam habebat in manu, et intinxit in favum mellis: et convertit manum suam ad os suum, et illuminati sunt oculi eius.

Jonathan, however, had not heard that his father had charged the people with the oath. So he reached out the end of the staff in his hand, dipped it into the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes brightened.

28 Respondensque unus de populo, ait: Iureiurando constrinxit pater tuus populum, dicens: Maledictus vir, qui comederit panem hodie. (defecerat autem populus)

Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the troops with a solemn oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food today.’ That is why the people are faint.”

29 Dixitque Ionathas: Turbavit pater meus terram: vidistis ipsi quia illuminati sunt oculi mei, eo quod gustaverim paululum de melle isto:

“My father has brought trouble to the land,” Jonathan replied. “Just look at how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.

30 quanto magis si comedisset populus de præda inimicorum suorum, quam reperit? nonne maior plaga facta fuisset in Philisthiim?

How much better it would have been if the troops had eaten freely today from the plunder they took from their enemies! Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been much greater?”

31 Percusserunt ergo in die illa Philisthæos a Machmis usque in Aialon. Defatigatus est autem populus nimis:

That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, the people were very faint.

32 et versus ad prædam tulit oves, et boves, et vitulos, et mactaverunt in terra: comeditque populus cum sanguine.

So they rushed greedily to the plunder, taking sheep, cattle, and calves. They slaughtered them on the ground and ate meat with the blood still in it.

33 Nunciaverunt autem Sauli dicentes quod populus peccasset Domino, comedens cum sanguine. Qui ait: Prævaricati estis: volvite ad me iam nunc saxum grande.

Then someone reported to Saul: “Look, the troops are sinning against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.” “You have broken faith,” said Saul. “Roll a large stone over here at once.”

34 Et dixit Saul: Dispergimini in vulgus, et dicite eis ut adducat ad me unusquisque bovem suum et arietem, et occidite super istud, et vescimini, et non peccabitis Domino comedentes cum sanguine. Adduxit itaque omnis populus unusquisque bovem in manu sua usque ad noctem: et occiderunt ibi.

Then he said, “Go among the troops and tell them, ‘Each man must bring me his ox or his sheep, slaughter them in this place, and then eat. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.’” So that night everyone brought his ox and slaughtered it there.

35 Ædificavit autem Saul altare Domino; tuncque primum cœpit ædificare altare Domino.

Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar to the LORD.

36 Et dixit Saul: Irruamus super Philisthæos nocte, et vastemus eos usquedum illucescat mane, nec relinquamus ex eis virum. Dixitque populus: Omne quod bonum videtur in oculis tuis, fac. Et ait sacerdos: Accedamus huc ad Deum.

And Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until dawn, leaving no man alive!” “Do what seems good to you,” the troops replied. But the priest said, “We must consult God here.”

37 Et consuluit Saul Dominum: Num persequar Philisthiim? si trades eos in manus Israel? Et non respondit ei in die illa.

So Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You give them into the hand of Israel?” But God did not answer him that day.

38 Dixitque Saul: Applicate huc universos angulos populi: et scitote, et videte per quem acciderit peccatum hoc hodie.

Therefore Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the troops, and let us investigate how this sin has occurred today.

39 Vivit Dominus salvator Israel, quia si per Ionathan filium meum factum est, absque retractione morietur. Ad quod nullus contradixit ei de omni populo.

As surely as the LORD who saves Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan, he must die!” But not one of the troops said a word.

40 Et ait ad universum Israel: Separamini vos in partem unam, et ego cum Ionatha filio meo ero in parte altera. Responditque populus ad Saul: Quod bonum videtur in oculis tuis, fac.

Then Saul said to all Israel, “You stand on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will stand on the other side.” “Do what seems good to you,” the troops replied.

41 Et dixit Saul ad Dominum Deum Israel: Domine Deus Israel da indicium: quid est quod non responderis servo tuo hodie? Si in me, aut in Ionatha filio meo est iniquitas hæc, da ostensionem: aut si hæc iniquitas est in populo tuo, da sanctitatem. Et deprehensus est Ionathas et Saul, populus autem exivit.

So Saul said to the LORD, the God of Israel, “Why have You not answered Your servant this day? If the fault is with me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim; but if the fault is with the men of Israel, respond with Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were selected, but the people were cleared of the charge.

42 Et ait Saul: Mittite sortem inter me, et inter Ionathan filium meum. Et captus est Ionathas.

Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was selected.

43 Dixit autem Saul ad Ionathan: Indica mihi quid feceris. Et indicavit ei Ionathas, et ait: Gustans gustavi in summitate virgæ, quæ erat in manu mea, paululum mellis, et ecce ego morior.

“Tell me what you have done,” Saul commanded him. So Jonathan told him, “I only tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. And now I must die?”

44 Et ait Saul: Hæc faciat mihi Deus, et hæc addat, quia morte morieris Ionatha.

And Saul declared, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if you, Jonathan, do not surely die!”

45 Dixitque populus ad Saul: Ergone Ionathas morietur, qui fecit salutem hanc magnam in Israel? hoc nefas est: vivit Dominus, si ceciderit capillus de capite eius in terram, quia cum Deo operatus est hodie. Liberavit ergo populus Ionathan, ut non moreretur.

But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die—he who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? Never! As surely as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for with God’s help he has accomplished this today.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.

46 Recessitque Saul, nec persecutus est Philisthiim: porro Philisthiim abierunt in loca sua.

Then Saul gave up his pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own land.

47 Et Saul, confirmato regno super Israel, pugnabat per circuitum adversum omnes inimicos eius, contra Moab, et filios Ammon, et Edom, et reges Soba, et Philisthæos: et quocumque se verterat, superabat.

After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them.

48 Congregatoque exercitu, percussit Amalec, et eruit Israel de manu vastatorum eius.

He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers.

49 Fuerunt autem filii Saul, Ionathas et Iessui, et Melchisua: et nomina duarum filiarum eius, nomen primogenitæ Merob, et nomen minoris Michol.

Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. His two daughters were named Merab (his firstborn) and Michal (his younger daughter).

50 Et nomen uxoris Saul, Achinoam filia Achimaas: et nomen principis militiæ eius Abner, filius Ner, patruelis Saul.

His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner, the son of Saul’s uncle Ner.

51 Porro Cis fuit pater Saul, et Ner pater Abner, filius Abiel.

Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.

52 Erat autem bellum potens adversum Philisthæos omnibus diebus Saul. Nam quemcumque viderat Saul virum fortem, et aptum ad prælium, sociabat eum sibi.

And the war with the Philistines was fierce for all the days of Saul. So whenever he noticed any strong or brave man, Saul would enlist him.