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.

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 ɛberɛ no na Saulo ne ne mmarima ahansia no akyere sraban wɔ Gibea nkwantia wɔ ateaa 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 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.

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

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

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.”

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 Aberanteɛ no kaa sɛ, “Yɛ deɛ wogye di sɛ ɛyɛ biara. Gyinaeɛ biara a wobɛsie 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 kaa sɛ, “Ɛyɛ, yɛbɛtwam akɔ hɔ, na yɛama wɔahunu yɛn.

And Jonathan said: “Behold, we will cross over to these men. And when we will be seen by 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 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 sɛ, ‘Momforo mmra mmɛko’ a, ɛnneɛ, yɛbɛforo akɔ ɔsoro. Ɛbɛyɛ Awurade nsɛnkyerɛnneɛ 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 Ɛberɛ a Filistifoɔ no hunuu sɛ wɔreba no, wɔteam sɛ, “Monhwɛ o! Hebrifoɔ no na wɔreweawea afiri wɔn abɔn 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 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.”

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

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 Wɔkunkumm mmarima bɛyɛ aduonu maa wɔn amu no dedaa asase no 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 Filistifoɔ nsraadɔm no wɔ sraban no mu ne akono hɔ nyinaa, na ɛkaa ntohyɛsofoɔ no mpo. Ɛhɔ ara asase wosoeɛ, maa obiara akoma tuiɛ.

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 awɛmfoɔ a wɔwɔ Gibea no hunuu biribi a ɛyɛ wɔn nwanwa. Ɛno ara ne sɛ, Filistifoɔ akodɔm 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 sɛ, “Monhwɛ akodɔm no mu nhwɛ sɛ obi nni hɔ anaa.” Wɔhwehwɛeɛ hunuu sɛ Yonatan ne nʼakodeɛsoafoɔ no na na wɔnni 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 sɛ, “Kɔfa Onyankopɔn Apam Adaka no bra.” (Saa ɛberɛ no na ɛwɔ Israelfoɔ 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 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.”

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, 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 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, Hebrifoɔ a na wɔdɔm Filistifoɔ akodɔm no kɔdɔm Saulo, Yonatan ne Israelfoɔ nkaeɛ 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 wɔakɔtetɛ wɔ mmepɔ mu no hunuu sɛ Filistifoɔ no redwane no, kaa wɔn so 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 ɛda 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 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,

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 ɛwom, wɔhunuu sɛ ɛwoɔ kyɛm da fam wɔ kwaeɛ 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 ansɔ ɛwoɔ no mu mpo, ɛfiri sɛ, 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 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.

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 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.”

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 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.

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 ɛkwan dii nnuane a wɔhunuu wɔ yɛn atamfoɔ no nkyɛn a, anka mo ara mobɛhunu wɔn dodoɔ a yɛbɛkum 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, ɛkɔm no nyinaa akyi, wɔtaa Filistifoɔ no ɛda mu no nyinaa firi Mikmas, kɔsii 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 Anwummerɛ no, wɔto guu asadeɛ no so, faa nnwan, anantwie ne anantwie mma. Wɔkunkumm wɔn, wee wɔn ɛnam ne wɔn mogya nyinaa fraeɛ.

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 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 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 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.

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

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 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 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 sɛ, “Menkɔ so ntaa Filistifoɔ no? Na wobɛboa yɛn ama yɛadi wɔn so anaa?” Nanso, Awurade amma wɔn mmuaeɛ biara saa ɛda 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 ntuanofoɔ no sɛ, “Biribi atɔ kyima, enti mehwehwɛ mʼasahene nyinaa. Ɛsɛ sɛ yɛhunu bɔne a yɛayɛ ɛnnɛ.

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 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 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 Israelfoɔ no nyinaa sɛ, “Monnyina nohoa; me ne me babarima Yonatan nso bɛgyina 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 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.”

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

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

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?”

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

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 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.

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

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

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.

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 Amalekfoɔ so, gyee Israelfoɔ firii wɔn afomfafoɔ 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 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, 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 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.

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.