1 Samuel 14

1 Da bi, Yonatan ka kyerɛɛ aberante a ɔsoa nʼakode se, “Bra na yɛnkɔ baabi a Filistifo no apee so wɔ hɔ no.” Yonatan anka nʼadwene ankyerɛ nʼagya.

And it happened that, on a certain day, Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the youth who bore his armor, “Come, and let us go over to the garrison of the Philistines, which is across from that place.” But he did not reveal this to his father.

2 Saa bere no na Saulo ne ne mmarima ahansia no akyere nsraban wɔ Gibea nkwantia wɔ atoaa dua a ɛwɔ Migron no ase.

Moreover, Saul was staying in the furthermost part of Gibeah, below the pomegranate tree that was at Migron. And the people with him were about six hundred men.

3 (Onipa a na ɔka Saulo mmarima no ho no ne Ahiya a ɔyɛ Awurade sɔfo a na ɔhyɛ sirikyi asɔfotade no. Na Ahiya yɛ Ahitub babarima a ɔyɛ Ikabod nua. Na saa Ahitub no nso yɛ Pinehas babarima a na ɔyɛ Eli nena nso. Na Eli yɛ Awurade sɔfo a na ɔsom wɔ Silo.) Na obiara nnim sɛ Yonatan afi Israel nsraban mu hɔ.

And Ahijah, the son of Ahitub, the brother of Ichabod, the son of Phinehas, who had been born of Eli, the priest of the Lord at Shiloh, wore the ephod. But the people did not know where Jonathan had gone.

4 Ansa na Yonatan beduu Filistifo nsraban mu no, na ɛsɛ sɛ osian fa abotan mmepɔw abien bi a wɔfrɛ no Boses ne Sene no ntam.

Now there were, between the ascents along which Jonathan strove to cross to the garrison of the Philistines, rocks projecting from both sides, and, in the manner of teeth, boulders breaking out from one side and the other. The name of one was Shining, and the name of the other was Thorny.

5 Ɔbotan a etweri hɔ a na ɛwɔ atifi fam no, na ɛkyerɛ Mikmas anim, na nea ɛwɔ anafo fam no nso ɛkyerɛ Geba anim.

One boulder projected toward the north, opposite Michmash, and the other toward the south, opposite Gibeah.

6 Yonatan ka kyerɛɛ aberante a ɔyɛ nʼakodekurafo no se, “Ma yentwa mu nkɔ abosonsomfo no nkyɛn. Ebia, Awurade bɛboa yɛn, efisɛ biribiara ntumi nsiw Awurade kwan. Obetumi adi ɔko mu nkonim a ɛmfa ho sɛ nʼakofo dɔɔso anaa wosua.”

Then Jonathan said to the youth who bore his armor: “Come, let us go across to the garrison of these uncircumcised. And perhaps the Lord may act on our behalf. For it is not difficult for the Lord to save, either by many, or by few.”

7 Aberante no kae se, “Yɛ nea wugye di sɛ eye biara. Gyinae biara a wubesi no, metaa wʼakyi pintinn.”

And his armor bearer said to him: “Do all that is pleasing to your soul. Go wherever you wish, and I will be with you, wherever you will choose.”

8 Yonatan kae se, “Eye, yebetwa mu akɔ hɔ, na yɛama wɔahu yɛn.

And Jonathan said: “Behold, we will cross over to these men. And when we will be seen by them,

9 Na sɛ wɔka se, ‘Munnyina faako a moadu hɔ ara na anyɛ saa a, yebekum mo’ a, ɛno de, yebegyina a yɛrenkɔ wɔn nkyɛn.

if they have spoken to us in this way, ‘Stay until we come to you,’ let us stand still in our place, and not ascend to them.

10 Na sɛ wɔka se, ‘Momforo mmra mmɛko’ a, ɛno de, yɛbɛforo akɔ soro. Ɛbɛyɛ Awurade nsɛnkyerɛnne sɛ ɔbɛboa yɛn, ama yɛadi wɔn so nkonim.”

But if they will say, ‘Ascend to us,’ let us ascend. For the Lord has delivered them into our hands. This will be the sign to us.”

11 Bere a Filistifo no huu sɛ wɔreba no, wɔteɛɛ mu se, “Monhwɛ o! Hebrifo no na wɔreweawea afi wɔn abon mu no!”

And so, both of them appeared before the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, “See, the Hebrews have come out from the holes in which they had been hiding.”

12 Na wɔteɛɛ mu frɛɛ Yonatan se, “Foro bra ha na yɛnkyerɛ wo nyansa!” Yonatan ka kyerɛɛ nʼakodekurafo no se, “Bra; foro di mʼakyi na Awurade bɛboa yɛn, ama yɛadi wɔn so nkonim.”

And the men of the garrison spoke to Jonathan and to his armor bearer, and they said, “Ascend to us, and we will show you something.” And Jonathan said to his armor bearer: “Let us ascend. Follow me. For the Lord has delivered them into the hands of Israel.”

13 Enti wɔde wɔn nsa abien ne wɔn anan foroe, na Yonatan ne nʼakodekurafo no kunkum Filistifo no benkum ne nifa.

Then Jonathan ascended, crawling on his hands and feet, and his armor bearer after him. And then, some fell before Jonathan, others his armor bearer killed as he was following him.

14 Wokunkum mmarima bɛyɛ aduonu maa wɔn amu no dedaa asase a ne trɛw bɛyɛ sɛ eka fa so.

And the first slaughter was made when Jonathan and his armor bearer struck down about twenty of the men, in the midst of an area of land that a yoke of oxen would usually plow in a day.

15 Ɛhɔ ara, ehu bɔɔ Filistifo asraafo no wɔ nsraban no mu ne akono hɔ nyinaa, na ɛkaa afowfo no mpo. Ɛhɔ ara asase wosow maa obiara koma tui.

And a miracle occurred in the camp, out in the fields. And all of the people of their garrison, who had gone out in order to plunder, were stupefied. And the earth trembled. And it happened as a miracle from God.

16 Saulo awɛmfo a wɔwɔ Gibea no huu biribi a ɛyɛ wɔn nwonwa. Ɛno ara ne sɛ, Filistifo asraafo no abɔ ahwete mmaa nyinaa.

And the watchmen of Saul, who were at Gibeah of Benjamin, looked out, and behold, a multitude was thrown down and dispersed, this way and that.

17 Afei, Saulo ka kyerɛɛ mmarima a wɔka ne ho no se, “Monhwɛ asraafo no mu nhwɛ sɛ obi nni hɔ ana.” Wɔhwehwɛ huu sɛ Yonatan ne nʼakodekurafo no na na wonni hɔ.

And Saul said to the people who were with him, “Inquire and see who has gone out from us.” And when they had inquired, it was found that Jonathan and his armor bearer were not present.

18 Saulo ka kyerɛɛ Ahiya se, “Kɔfa Onyankopɔn Apam Adaka no bra.” (Saa bere no na ɛwɔ Israelfo nkyɛn.)

And Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of the God.” (For the ark of God was, in that day, with the sons of Israel in that place.)

19 Bere a Saulo rekasa akyerɛ ɔsɔfo no, na basabasa a asi Filistifo nsraban no mu no ano den ara na ɛreyɛ. Enti Saulo ka kyerɛɛ ɔsɔfo no se, “Gyae! Ma yɛnkɔ.”

And while Saul spoke to the priest, there arose a great tumult in the camp of the Philistines. And it was increasing, little by little, and it was being heard more clearly. And Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”

20 Afei, Saulo ne ne mmarima ahansia no kaa wɔn ho ntɛm so fii akono hɔ kohuu sɛ, Filistifo no atwa wɔn ho rekunkum wɔn ho wɔn ho. Na ɛhɔ nyinaa ayɛ kitikiti ne basabasa nko ara.

Then Saul, and all the people who were with him, cried out together, and they went to the place of the conflict. And behold, each one’s sword had been turned against his neighbor, and there was a very great slaughter.

21 Mpo, Hebrifo a na wɔdɔm Filistifo asraafo no kɔdɔm Saulo, Yonatan ne Israelfo nkae no.

Moreover, the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines yesterday and the day before, and who had ascended with them into the camp, turned back so that they might be with those of Israel who were with Saul and Jonathan.

22 Saa ara na mmarima a na wɔakɔtetɛw wɔ mmepɔw mu no huu sɛ Filistifo no reguan no, bɛkaa ho taa wɔn bi.

Likewise, all the Israelites who had hidden themselves on mount Ephraim, hearing that the Philistines had fled, joined themselves with their own in the battle. And there were with Saul about ten thousand men.

23 Enti Awurade gyee Israel da no. Na ɔko no kɔɔ so ara traa Bet-Awen.

And the Lord saved Israel on that day. But the fight continued as far as Bethaven.

24 Afei, saa da no na Israelfo no abrɛbrɛ, efisɛ na Saulo ama wɔaka ntam se, “Nnome mmra obiara a obedidi ansa na onwini atɔ, anaasɛ ansa matɔ mʼatamfo no so were.” Enti obiara amfa hwee anka nʼano da mu no nyinaa,

And the men of Israel were joined together on that day. And Saul made the people swear, saying, “Cursed be the man who will eat bread, until evening, until I am avenged of my enemies.” And the entire people did not consume bread.

25 ɛwɔ mu, wohuu sɛ ɛwo kyɛm da fam wɔ kwae no ase.

And all the common people went into a forest, in which there was honey on the surface of the field.

26 Wɔamfa wɔn nsa anso ɛwo no mu mpo, efisɛ na wɔn nyinaa suro ntam a wɔaka no.

And so the people entered the forest, and there appeared flowing honey, but no one drew his hand near his mouth. For the people were afraid of the oath.

27 Nanso na Yonatan de, ɔntee nʼagya ntam no ho hwee. Ɔde abaa bi nuu ɛwo kyɛm no mu, dii ɛwo no bi. Odi wiee no, ne ho bae no.

But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people to an oath. And so he extended the top of the staff that he was holding in his hand, and he dipped it in a honeycomb. And he turned his hand to his mouth, and his eyes were brightened.

28 Nanso mmarima no mu baako huu no, ka kyerɛɛ no se, “Wʼagya maa asraafo no kaa ntam a emu yɛ den sɛ, obiara a obedidi nnɛ no, nnome bɛba ne so. Ɛno nti, na obiara ahodwow no.”

And in response, one of the people said, “Your father has bound the people by an oath, saying: ‘Cursed be the man who will eat any bread this day.’” (For the people were faint.)

29 Na Yonatan teɛɛ mu se, “Mʼagya de ɔhaw abɛto yɛn nyinaa so. Mmara a ɛte sɛɛ no pira yɛn. Monhwɛ sɛ ɛwo kakra a midii yi, me ho asisi me ho so.

And Jonathan said: “My father has troubled the land. You have seen for yourselves that my eyes were brightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.

30 Sɛ mmarima no nyaa kwan dii nnuan a wohuu wɔ yɛn atamfo no nkyɛn a, anka mo ara mubehu wɔn dodow a yebekum aka ho.”

How much more so, if the people had eaten from the plunder that they find with their enemies? Would not a greater slaughter have been accomplished among the Philistines?”

31 Nanso ɔkɔm no nyinaa akyi, wɔtaa Filistifo no da mu no nyinaa fi Mikmas, kosii Ayalon. Na afei, wɔbrɛbrɛɛ mmoroso.

Therefore, on that day, they struck down the Philistines, from Michmash as far as Aijalon. But the people were exceedingly wearied.

32 Anwummere no, wɔtow guu asade no so, faa nguan, anantwi ne anantwi mma. Wokunkum wɔn, wee wɔn nam ne wɔn mogya nyinaa frae.

And turning to the spoils, they took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and they slew them on the ground. And the people ate with blood.

33 Afei, obi ka kyerɛɛ Saulo se, “Hwɛ! Mmarima no reyɛ bɔne atia Awurade, efisɛ wɔrewe nam a mogya fra mu.” Na Saulo kae se, “Ɛyɛ bɔne pa ara. Mumpirew ɔbo kɛse bi mmɛto ha.

Then they reported to Saul, saying that the people had sinned against the Lord, eating with blood. And he said: “You have transgressed. Roll a great stone to me, here and now.”

34 Na afei monkɔ mmarima no mu nkɔka nkyerɛ wɔn se, ‘Momfa anantwi no ne nguan no mmra ha mmekum wɔn na monsɔn wɔn mogya mfi wɔn mu. Monnnwe nam a mogya da so wɔ mu mmfa so nyɛ bɔne ntia Awurade.’” Enti anadwo no, asraafo no de wɔn anantwi bae, bekunkum wɔn wɔ hɔ.

And Saul said: “Disperse yourselves among the common people, and tell each one of them to bring to me his ox and his ram, and to slay them upon this stone, and to eat, so that you will not sin against the Lord, in eating with blood.” And so, each one, out of all the people, brought his ox, by his own hand, throughout the night. And they slew them there.

35 Na Saulo sii afɔremuka wɔ hɔ, de maa Awurade, nea edi kan a osii.

Then Saul built an altar to the Lord. And so, it was then that he first began to build an altar to the Lord.

36 Na Saulo kae se, “Momma yɛnkɔ Filistifo no so anadwo yi, na yɛnkɔsɛe wɔn ara nkosi ahemadakye a yɛrennyaw wɔn mu baako koraa.” Na wobuae se, “Biribiara a wugye di sɛ eye no, yɛbɛyɛ.” Nanso ɔsɔfo no kae se, “Momma yenni kan mmisa Awurade ansa.”

And Saul said: “Let us fall upon the Philistines by night, and lay waste to them even until the morning light. And let us not leave behind a man among them.” And the people said, “Do all that seems good in your eyes.” And the priest said, “Let us draw near to God in this place.”

37 Enti Saulo bisaa Awurade se, “Menkɔ so ntaa Filistifo no? Na wobɛboa yɛn ama yɛadi wɔn so ana?” Nanso Awurade amma wɔn mmuae biara saa da no.

And Saul consulted the Lord: “Shall I pursue the Philistines? Will you deliver them into the hands of Israel?” And he did not respond to him on that day.

38 Enti Saulo ka kyerɛɛ ntuanofo no se, “Biribi atɔ kyima, enti mehwehwɛ mʼasahene nyinaa. Ɛsɛ sɛ yehu bɔne a yɛayɛ nnɛ.

And Saul said: “Bring here every single leader of the people. And we shall know and see by whom this sin was committed this day.

39 Mede Awurade a oyii Israel din ka ntam sɛ nea wayɛ bɔne no bewu, mpo sɛ ɔyɛ me babarima Yonatan!” Na mmarima no mu baako mpo antumi anka hwee.

As the Lord lives, who is the Savior of Israel, even if it were done by my son Jonathan, without retraction he shall die.” In this, no one among all the people contradicted him.

40 Afei, Saulo ka kyerɛɛ Israelfo no nyinaa se, “Munnyina nohɔ; me ne me babarima Yonatan nso begyina ha.” Nnipa no penee so.

And he said to all of Israel, “Separate yourselves on one side, and I, with my son Jonathan, will be on the other side.” And the people responded to Saul, “Do what seems good in your eyes.”

41 Enti Saulo bɔɔ Awurade, Israel Nyankopɔn, mpae se, “Ao Awurade Israel Nyankopɔn, yɛsrɛ wo kyerɛ yɛn nea odi fɔ ne nea odi bem. Mene Yonatan di fɔ anaasɛ bɔne no wɔ nkurɔfo no mu? Mfomso no bɛtɔɔ Yonatan ne Saulo so, na nnipa no dii bem.”

And Saul said to the Lord, the God of Israel: “O Lord, God of Israel, grant a sign: Why is it that you will not respond to your servant this day? If this iniquity is in me, or in my son Jonathan, grant an indication. Or if this iniquity is in your people, grant a sanctification.” And Jonathan and Saul were discovered, but the people were released.

42 Na Saulo kae se, “Mommɔ me ne me babarima Yonatan so ntonto.” Na ntonto no bɔɔ Yonatan sɛ odi fɔ.

And Saul said, “Cast lots between myself and Jonathan, my son.” And Jonathan was caught.

43 Saulo bisaa Yonatan se, “Ka nea woayɛ kyerɛ me.” Yonatan gye too mu se, “Mede ɛwo kakra kaa mʼano. Ɛyɛ kakraa bi a na ɛwɔ abaa bi ti so. Na eyi yɛ owu asɛm?”

Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” And Jonathan revealed to him, and said: “Truly, I tasted a little honey with the top of the staff that was in my hand. And behold, I shall die.”

44 Saulo kae se, “Yiw, Yonatan, ɛsɛ sɛ wuwu. Sɛ woanwu wɔ saa asɛm yi ho a, Onyankopɔn nka me na minwu.”

And Saul said, “May God do these things to me, and may he add these other things, for you shall surely die, Jonathan!”

45 Ɛhɔ ara na nnipa no sɔre teɛɛ mu ka kyerɛɛ Saulo se, “Enti ɛfata sɛ Yonatan a ogyee Israel nnɛ no wu ana? Onyame mpa ngu. Bere dodow no a Awurade te ase yi, ne tinwi baako koraa ho nka, efisɛ Onyankopɔn afa ne so ayɛ anwonwade nnɛ.” Enti nnipa no gyee Yonatan, na wɔankum no.

And the people said to Saul: “Why should Jonathan have to die, who has accomplished this great salvation in Israel? This is wrong. As the Lord lives, not one hair of his head should fall to the ground. For he has wrought with God this day.” Therefore, the people freed Jonathan, so that he would not die.

46 Na Saulo frɛɛ asraafo no sɛ wɔnntaa Filistifo no bio. Enti Filistifo no san kɔɔ fie.

And Saul withdrew, and he did not pursue the Philistines. And the Philistines went away to their own places.

47 Saulo nyaa Israel ahengua no so tenae a ɔhaw biara mma no, ɔko tiaa nʼatamfo wɔ afanan nyinaa. Ɔko tiaa Moab, Amon, Edom Soba ne Filistifo ahemfo. Na baabiara a ɔkɔe no, odii nkonim.

And Saul, his kingdom having been confirmed over Israel, was fighting against all his enemies on all sides: against Moab, and the sons of Ammon, and Edom, and the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. And wherever he turned himself, he was successful.

48 Ɔkoo mmarima so, dii Amalekfo so, gyee Israelfo fii wɔn afowfo nyinaa nsam.

And gathering together an army, he struck Amalek. And he rescued Israel from the hand of those who would lay waste to them.

49 Na Saulo mmabarima ne Yonatan, Iswi ne Malki-Sua na ne mmabea baanu nso ne Merab a ɔyɛ panyin ne Mikal nso a ɔyɛ akumaa.

Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishvi, and Malchishua. And as for the names of his two daughters: the name of the firstborn daughter was Merab, and the name of the younger one was Michal.

50 Na Saulo yere din de Ahinoam a na ɔyɛ Ahimaas ba. Na ne sahene din de Abner a na ɔyɛ Saulo agya nua Ner babarima.

And the name of the wife of Saul was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the first ruler of his military was Abner, the son of Ner, the first cousin of Saul.

51 Na Saulo agya Kis ne Abner agya Ner yɛ anuanom a wɔyɛ Abiel mma.

For Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner was the father of Abner, and the son of Abiel.

52 Bere a Saulo dii ade nyinaa, na Filistifo taa ne Israelfo di ako. Enti bere biara a Saulo behu aberante biara a ne koko yɛ duru na ɔwɔ ahoɔden no, ɔtwe no de no fra nʼasraafo mu.

Now there was a powerful war against the Philistines during all the days of Saul. And so, whomever Saul had seen to be a strong man, and fit for battle, he joined him to himself.