1 Samuel 14

1 Ɛda bi, Yonatan ka kyerɛɛ aberanteɛ a ɔsoa nʼakodeɛ sɛ, “Bra na yɛnkɔ baabi a Filistifoɔ abɔ dɔmpem hɔ.” Yonatan anka nʼadwene ankyerɛ nʼagya.

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 Saa ɛberɛ no na Saulo ne ne mmarima ahansia no akyere sraban wɔ Gibea nkwantia wɔ ateaa dua a ɛwɔ Migron no ase.

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 (Onipa a na ɔka Saulo mmarima no ho no ne Ahiya a ɔyɛ Awurade ɔsɔfoɔ a na ɔhyɛ serekye asɔfotadeɛ no. Na Ahiya yɛ Ahitub babarima a ɔyɛ Ikabod nua. Na saa Ahitub no nso yɛ Pinehas babarima a na ɔyɛ Eli nana nso. Na Eli yɛ Awurade ɔsɔfoɔ a na ɔsom wɔ Silo.) Na obiara nnim sɛ Yonatan afiri Israel sraban mu.

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 Ansa na Yonatan bɛduru Filistifoɔ sraban mu no, na ɛsɛ sɛ ɔsiane fa abotan mmepɔ mmienu bi a wɔfrɛ no Boses ne Sene no ntam.

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 Ɔbotan a ɛtwere hɔ a na ɛwɔ atifi fam no, na ɛkyerɛ Mikmas anim, na deɛ ɛwɔ anafoɔ fam no nso, na ɛkyerɛ Geba anim.

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

6 Yonatan ka kyerɛɛ aberanteɛ a ɔyɛ nʼakodeɛsoafoɔ no sɛ, “Ma yɛntwam nkɔ abosonsomfoɔ no nkyɛn. Ebia, Awurade bɛboa yɛn, ɛfiri sɛ, biribiara ntumi nsi Awurade kwan. Ɔbɛtumi adi ɔko mu nkonim a ɛmfa ho sɛ nʼakodɔm dɔɔso anaa wɔsua.”

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 Aberanteɛ no kaa sɛ, “Yɛ deɛ wogye di sɛ ɛyɛ biara. Gyinaeɛ biara a wobɛsie no, metaa wʼakyi pintinn.”

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

8 Yonatan kaa sɛ, “Ɛyɛ, yɛbɛtwam akɔ hɔ, na yɛama wɔahunu yɛn.

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

9 Na sɛ wɔka sɛ, ‘Monnyina baabi a moaduru hɔ ara na anyɛ saa a, yɛbɛkum mo’ a, ɛnneɛ, yɛbɛgyina a yɛrenkɔ wɔn nkyɛn.

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

10 Na sɛ wɔka sɛ, ‘Momforo mmra mmɛko’ a, ɛnneɛ, yɛbɛforo akɔ ɔsoro. Ɛbɛyɛ Awurade nsɛnkyerɛnneɛ sɛ ɔbɛboa yɛn, ama yɛadi wɔn so nkonim.”

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 Ɛberɛ a Filistifoɔ no hunuu sɛ wɔreba no, wɔteam sɛ, “Monhwɛ o! Hebrifoɔ no na wɔreweawea afiri wɔn abɔn mu no!”

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 Na wɔteam frɛɛ Yonatan sɛ, “Foro bra ha na yɛnkyerɛ wo nyansa!” Yonatan ka kyerɛɛ nʼakodeɛsoafoɔ no sɛ, “Bra; foro di mʼakyi na Awurade bɛboa yɛn, ama yɛadi wɔn so nkonim.”

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 Enti, wɔde wɔn nsa mmienu ne wɔn nan foroeɛ, na Yonatan ne nʼakodeɛsoafoɔ no kunkumm Filistifoɔ no benkum ne nifa, ma wɔtete kɔguiɛ.

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 Wɔkunkumm mmarima bɛyɛ aduonu maa wɔn amu no dedaa asase no bɛyɛ sɛ eka fa so.

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

15 Ɛhɔ ara, ehu bɔɔ Filistifoɔ nsraadɔm no wɔ sraban no mu ne akono hɔ nyinaa, na ɛkaa ntohyɛsofoɔ no mpo. Ɛhɔ ara asase wosoeɛ, maa obiara akoma tuiɛ.

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 Saulo awɛmfoɔ a wɔwɔ Gibea no hunuu biribi a ɛyɛ wɔn nwanwa. Ɛno ara ne sɛ, Filistifoɔ akodɔm no abɔ ahwete mmaa nyinaa.

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

17 Afei, Saulo ka kyerɛɛ mmarima a wɔka ne ho no sɛ, “Monhwɛ akodɔm no mu nhwɛ sɛ obi nni hɔ anaa.” Wɔhwehwɛeɛ hunuu sɛ Yonatan ne nʼakodeɛsoafoɔ no na na wɔnni hɔ.

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 Saulo ka kyerɛɛ Ahiya sɛ, “Kɔfa Onyankopɔn Apam Adaka no bra.” (Saa ɛberɛ no na ɛwɔ Israelfoɔ nkyɛn.)

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

19 Ɛberɛ a Saulo rekasa akyerɛ ɔsɔfoɔ no, na basabasa a asi Filistifoɔ sraban no mu no ano den ara na ɛreyɛ. Enti, Saulo ka kyerɛɛ ɔsɔfoɔ no sɛ, “Gyae! Ma yɛnkɔ.”

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 Afei, Saulo ne ne mmarima ahansia no kaa wɔn ho ntɛm so, firii akono hɔ kɔhunuu sɛ, Filistifoɔ no atwa wɔn ho rekunkum wɔn ho wɔn ho. Na ɛhɔ nyinaa ayɛ kitikiti ne basabasayɛ nko ara.

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 Mpo, Hebrifoɔ a na wɔdɔm Filistifoɔ akodɔm no kɔdɔm Saulo, Yonatan ne Israelfoɔ nkaeɛ no.

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 Saa ara na mmarima a na wɔakɔtetɛ wɔ mmepɔ mu no hunuu sɛ Filistifoɔ no redwane no, kaa wɔn so bi.

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 Enti, Awurade gyee Israel ɛda no. Na ɔko no kɔɔ so ara traa Bet-Awen.

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

24 Afei, saa ɛda no na Israelfoɔ no abrɛbrɛ, ɛfiri sɛ, na Saulo ama wɔaka ntam sɛ, “Nnome mmra obiara a ɔbɛdidi ansa na onwunu atɔ, anaasɛ ansa matɔ mʼatamfoɔ no so were.” Enti, obiara amfa hwee anka nʼano ɛda mu no nyinaa,

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 ɛwom, wɔhunuu sɛ ɛwoɔ kyɛm da fam wɔ kwaeɛ no ase.

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

26 Wɔamfa wɔn nsa ansɔ ɛwoɔ no mu mpo, ɛfiri sɛ, na wɔn nyinaa suro ntam a wɔaka no.

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 Nanso, na Yonatan deɛ, ɔntee nʼagya ntam no ho hwee. Ɔde abaa bi nuu ɛwoɔ kyɛm no mu, dii ɛwoɔ no bi. Ɔdi wieeɛ no, ne ho baee no.

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 Nanso, mmarima no mu baako hunuu no, ka kyerɛɛ no sɛ, “Wʼagya maa asraafoɔ no kaa ntam a emu yɛ den sɛ, obiara a ɔbɛdidi ɛnnɛ no, nnome bɛba ne so. Ɛno enti, na obiara ahodwo no.”

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 Na Yonatan teaam sɛ, “Mʼagya de ɔhaw abɛto yɛn nyinaa so. Mmara a ɛte seyie no pira yɛn. Monhwɛ sɛ ɛwoɔ kakra a mediiɛ yi, me ho asisi me ho so.

“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 Sɛ mmarima no nyaa ɛkwan dii nnuane a wɔhunuu wɔ yɛn atamfoɔ no nkyɛn a, anka mo ara mobɛhunu wɔn dodoɔ a yɛbɛkum aka ho.”

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 Nanso, ɛkɔm no nyinaa akyi, wɔtaa Filistifoɔ no ɛda mu no nyinaa firi Mikmas, kɔsii Ayalon. Na afei, wɔbrɛbrɛɛ mmoroso.

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

32 Anwummerɛ no, wɔto guu asadeɛ no so, faa nnwan, anantwie ne anantwie mma. Wɔkunkumm wɔn, wee wɔn ɛnam ne wɔn mogya nyinaa fraeɛ.

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 Afei, obi ka kyerɛɛ Saulo sɛ, “Hwɛ! Mmarima no reyɛ bɔne atia Awurade, ɛfiri sɛ, wɔrewe ɛnam a mogya fra mu.” Na Saulo kaa sɛ, “Ɛyɛ bɔne pa ara. Mompire ɛboɔ kɛseɛ bi mmɛto ha.

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 Na afei monkɔ mmarima no mu nkɔka nkyerɛ wɔn sɛ, ‘Momfa anantwie no ne nnwan no mmra ha mmɛkum wɔn na monsɔne wɔn mogya mfiri wɔn mu. Monnnwe ɛnam a mogya da so wɔ mu mmfa so nnyɛ bɔne nntia Awurade.’” Enti anadwo no, asraafoɔ no de wɔn anantwie baeɛ, bɛkunkumm wɔn wɔ hɔ.

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 Na Saulo sii afɔrebukyia wɔ hɔ, de maa Awurade, deɛ ɛdi ɛkan a ɔsiiɛ.

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

36 Na Saulo kaa sɛ, “Momma yɛnkɔ Filistifoɔ no so anadwo yi, na yɛnkɔsɛe wɔn ara nkɔsi ahemadakye a yɛrennya wɔn mu baako koraa.” Na wɔbuaa sɛ, “Biribiara a wogye di sɛ ɛyɛ no, yɛbɛyɛ.” Nanso, ɔsɔfoɔ no kaa sɛ, “Momma yɛnni ɛkan mmisa Awurade ansa.”

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 Enti, Saulo bisaa Awurade sɛ, “Menkɔ so ntaa Filistifoɔ no? Na wobɛboa yɛn ama yɛadi wɔn so anaa?” Nanso, Awurade amma wɔn mmuaeɛ biara saa ɛda no.

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 Enti, Saulo ka kyerɛɛ ntuanofoɔ no sɛ, “Biribi atɔ kyima, enti mehwehwɛ mʼasahene nyinaa. Ɛsɛ sɛ yɛhunu bɔne a yɛayɛ ɛnnɛ.

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

39 Mede Awurade a ɔyii Israel din ka ntam sɛ deɛ woayɛ bɔne no bɛwu, mpo sɛ ɔyɛ me babarima Yonatan!” Na mmarimma no mu baako mpo antumi anka hwee.

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 Afei, Saulo ka kyerɛɛ Israelfoɔ no nyinaa sɛ, “Monnyina nohoa; me ne me babarima Yonatan nso bɛgyina ha.” Nnipa no penee so.

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 Enti, Saulo bɔɔ Awurade, Israel Onyankopɔn, mpaeɛ sɛ, “Ao Awurade Israel Onyankopɔn, yɛsrɛ wo kyerɛ yɛn deɛ ɔdi fɔ ne deɛ ɔdi bem. Mene Yonatan di fɔ anaasɛ bɔne no wɔ nkurɔfoɔ no mu? Mfomsoɔ no bɛtɔɔ Yonatan ne Saulo so, na nnipa no dii bem.”

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 Na Saulo kaa sɛ, “Mommɔ me ne me babarima Yonatan so ntonto.” Na ntonto no bɔɔ Yonatan sɛ ɔdi fɔ.

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

43 Saulo bisaa Yonatan sɛ, “Ka deɛ woayɛ kyerɛ me.” Yonatan gye too mu sɛ, “Mede ɛwoɔ kakra kaa mʼano. Ɛyɛ kakra bi a na ɛwɔ abaa bi ti so. Na yei yɛ owuo asɛm?”

“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 Saulo kaa sɛ, “Aane, Yonatan, ɛsɛ sɛ wowuo. Sɛ woanwu wɔ saa asɛm yi ho a, Onyankopɔn nka me na menwu.”

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

45 Ɛhɔ ara na nnipa no sɔre teaam ka kyerɛɛ Saulo sɛ, “Enti, ɛfata sɛ Yonatan a ɔgyee Israel ɛnnɛ no owuo anaa? Onyame mpa ngu. Ɛberɛ dodoɔ no a Awurade te aseɛ yi, ne tirinwi baako koraa ho nka, ɛfiri sɛ, Onyankopɔn afa ne so ayɛ anwanwadeɛ ɛnnɛ.” Enti, nnipa no gyee Yonatan, na wɔankum no.

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 Na Saulo frɛɛ akodɔm no sɛ wɔnntaa Filistifoɔ no so bio. Enti, Filistifoɔ no sane kɔɔ efie.

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

47 Saulo nyaa Israel ahennwa no so tenaeɛ a ɔhaw biara mma no, ɔko tiaa nʼatamfoɔ wɔ afanan nyinaa. Ɔko tiaa Moab, Amon, Edom Soba ne Filistifoɔ ahemfo. Na baabiara a ɔkɔeɛ no, ɔdii nkonim.

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 Ɔkoo mmarima so, dii Amalekfoɔ so, gyee Israelfoɔ firii wɔn afomfafoɔ nyinaa nsam.

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

49 Na Saulo mmammarima ne Yonatan, Iswi ne Malki-Sua na ne mmammaa baanu nso ne Merab a ɔyɛ panin ne Mikal nso a ɔyɛ akumaa.

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

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.

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

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

52 Ɛberɛ a Saulo dii adeɛ nyinaa, na Filistifoɔ taa ne Israelfoɔ di ako. Enti ɛberɛ biara a Saulo bɛhunu aberanteɛ biara a ne bo yɛ duru na ɔwɔ ahoɔden no, ɔtwe no de no fra nʼakodɔm mu.

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.