Old/New Testament
Saul Fails the Lord
13 Saul was [thirty][a] years old when he began to reign; he ruled over Israel for [forty][b] years. 2 Saul selected for himself 3,000 men from Israel. Of these 2,000 were with Saul at Micmash and in the hill country of Bethel; the remaining 1,000 were with Jonathan at Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin.[c] He sent all the rest of the people back home.[d]
3 Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost[e] that was at Geba and the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul alerted[f] all the land saying, “Let the Hebrews pay attention!” 4 All Israel heard this message,[g] “Saul has attacked the Philistine outpost, and now Israel is repulsive[h] to the Philistines!” So the people were summoned to join[i] Saul at Gilgal.
5 Meanwhile the Philistines gathered to battle with Israel. Then they went up against Israel[j] with 3,000 chariots,[k] 6,000 horsemen, and an army as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Micmash, east of Beth Aven. 6 The men of Israel realized they had a problem because their army was hard pressed. So the army hid in caves, thickets, cliffs, strongholds,[l] and cisterns. 7 Some of the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan River[m] to the land of Gad and Gilead. But Saul stayed at Gilgal; the entire army that was with him was terrified. 8 He waited for seven days, the time period indicated by Samuel.[n] But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the army began to abandon Saul.[o]
9 So Saul said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.” Then he offered a burnt offering. 10 Just when he had finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel appeared on the scene. Saul went out to meet him and to greet him.[p]
11 But Samuel said, “What have you done?” Saul replied, “When I saw that the army had started to abandon me,[q] and that you didn’t come at the appointed time, and that the Philistines had assembled at Micmash, 12 I thought,[r] ‘Now the Philistines will come down on me at Gilgal and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt obligated[s] to offer the burnt offering.”
13 Then Samuel said to Saul, “You have made a foolish choice! You have not obeyed[t] the commandment that the Lord your God gave[u] you. Had you done that, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom will not continue. The Lord has sought out[v] for himself a man who is loyal to him,[w] and the Lord has appointed[x] him to be leader over his people, for you have not obeyed what the Lord commanded you.”
15 Then Samuel set out and went up from Gilgal[y] to Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin.[z] Saul mustered the army that remained with him; there were about 600 men. 16 Saul, his son Jonathan, and the army that remained with them stayed in Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin, while the Philistines camped in Micmash.[aa] 17 Raiding bands went out from the camp of the Philistines in three groups. One band turned toward the road leading to Ophrah by the land of Shual; 18 another band turned toward the road leading to Beth Horon; and yet another band turned toward the road leading to the border that overlooks the valley of Zeboyim in the direction of the desert.
19 A blacksmith could not be found in all the land of Israel, for the Philistines had said, “This will prevent the Hebrews from making swords and spears.” 20 So all Israel had to go down to the Philistines in order to get their plowshares, cutting instruments, axes, and sickles[ab] sharpened. 21 They charged[ac] two-thirds of a shekel[ad] to sharpen plowshares and cutting instruments, and one-third of a shekel[ae] to sharpen picks and axes, and to set ox goads. 22 So on the day of the battle no sword or spear was to be found in the hand of anyone in the army that was with Saul and Jonathan. No one but Saul and his son Jonathan had them.
Jonathan Ignites a Battle
23 A garrison of the Philistines had gone out to the pass at Micmash.
14 Then one day Jonathan son of Saul said to his armor-bearer,[af] “Come on, let’s go over to the Philistine garrison that is opposite us.” But he did not let his father know.
2 Now Saul was sitting under a pomegranate tree in Migron, on the outskirts of Gibeah. The army that was with him numbered about 600 men. 3 Now Ahijah was carrying[ag] an ephod. He was the son of Ahitub, who was the brother of Ichabod and a son of Phinehas, son of Eli, the priest of the Lord in Shiloh. The army was unaware that Jonathan had left.
4 Now there was a steep cliff on each side of the pass through which Jonathan intended to go to reach the Philistine garrison. One cliff was named Bozez, the other Seneh. 5 The cliff to the north was closer to Micmash, the one to the south closer to Geba.
6 Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will intervene[ah] for us. Nothing can prevent the Lord from delivering, whether by many or by a few.” 7 His armor-bearer said to him, “Do everything that is on your mind.[ai] Do as you’re inclined. I’m with you all the way!”[aj]
8 Jonathan replied, “All right.[ak] We’ll go over to these men and fight them. 9 If they say to us, ‘Stay put until we approach you,’ we will stay[al] right there and not go up to them. 10 But if they say, ‘Come up against us,’ we will go up. For in that case the Lord has given them into our hand—it will be a sign to us.”
11 When they[am] made themselves known to the Philistine garrison, the Philistines said, “Look! The Hebrews are coming out of the holes in which they hid themselves.” 12 Then the men of the garrison said to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come on up to us so we can teach you a thing or two!”[an] Then Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Come up behind me, for the Lord has given[ao] them into the hand of Israel!”
13 Jonathan crawled up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer following behind him. Jonathan struck down the Philistines,[ap] while his armor-bearer came along behind him and killed them.[aq] 14 In this initial skirmish Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in an area that measured half an acre.
15 Then fear overwhelmed[ar] those who were in the camp, those who were in the field, all the army in the garrison, and the raiding bands. They trembled and the ground shook. This fear was caused by God.[as]
16 Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin[at] looked on[au] as the crowd of soldiers seemed to melt away first in one direction and then in another.[av] 17 So Saul said to the army that was with him, “Muster the troops and see who is no longer with us.” When they mustered the troops,[aw] Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. 18 So Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring near the ephod,”[ax] for he was at that time wearing the ephod in front of the Israelites.[ay] 19 While[az] Saul spoke to the priest, the panic in the Philistines’ camp was becoming greater and greater. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”
20 Saul and all the army assembled and marched into battle, where they found[ba] the Philistines in total panic killing one another with their swords.[bb] 21 The Hebrews who had earlier gone over to the Philistine side[bc] joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 22 When all the Israelites who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines had fled, they too pursued them in battle. 23 So the Lord delivered Israel that day, and the battle shifted over to Beth Aven.[bd]
Jonathan Violates Saul’s Oath
24 Now the men of Israel were hard pressed that day, for Saul had made the army agree to this oath: “Cursed be the man who eats food before evening. I will get my vengeance on my enemies!” So no one in the army ate anything.
25 Now the whole army[be] entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground.[bf] 26 When the army entered the forest, they saw[bg] the honey flowing, but no one ate any of it,[bh] for the army was afraid of the oath. 27 But Jonathan had not heard about the oath his father had made the army take. He extended the end of his staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb. When he ate it,[bi] his eyes gleamed.[bj] 28 Then someone from the army informed him, “Your father put the army under a strict oath[bk] saying, ‘Cursed be the man who eats food today.’ That is why the army is tired.” 29 Then Jonathan said, “My father has caused trouble for the land. See how my eyes gleamed[bl] when I tasted just a little of this honey. 30 Certainly if the army had eaten some of the enemies’ provisions that they came across today, would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?”
31 On that day the army struck down the Philistines from Micmash to Aijalon, and they became very tired. 32 So the army rushed greedily on[bm] the[bn] plunder, confiscating sheep, cattle, and calves. They slaughtered them right on the ground, and the army ate them, blood and all.
33 Now it was reported to Saul, “Look, the army is sinning against the Lord by eating even the blood.” He said, “All of you have broken the covenant![bo] Roll a large stone over here[bp] to me.” 34 Then Saul said, “Scatter out among the army and say to them, ‘Each of you bring to me your ox and sheep and slaughter them in this spot and eat. But don’t sin against the Lord by eating the blood.” So that night each one brought his ox and slaughtered it there.[bq] 35 Then Saul built an altar for the Lord; it was the first time he had built an altar for the Lord.
36 Saul said, “Let’s go down after the Philistines at night; we will rout[br] them until the break of day.[bs] We won’t leave any of them alive!”[bt] They replied, “Do whatever seems best to you.”[bu] But the priest said, “Let’s approach God here.” 37 So Saul asked God, “Should I go down after the Philistines? Will you deliver them into the hand of Israel?” But he did not answer him that day.
38 Then Saul said, “All you leaders of the army come here. Find out[bv] how this sin occurred today. 39 For as surely as the Lord, the deliverer of Israel, lives, even if it turns out to be my own son Jonathan, he will certainly die!” But no one from the army said anything.[bw]
40 Then he said to all Israel, “You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side.” The army replied to Saul, “Do whatever you think is best.”
41 Then Saul said, “O Lord God of Israel! If this sin has been committed by me or by my son Jonathan, then, O Lord God of Israel, respond with Urim. But if this sin has been committed by your people Israel, respond with Thummim.”[bx] Then Jonathan and Saul were indicated by lot, while the army was exonerated.[by] 42 Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan!”[bz] Jonathan was indicated by lot.
43 So Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” Jonathan told him, “I used the end of the staff that was in my hand to taste a little honey. I must die!”[ca] 44 Saul said, “God will punish me severely if Jonathan doesn’t die!”[cb]
45 But the army said to Saul, “Should Jonathan, who won this great victory in Israel, die? May it never be! As surely as the Lord lives, not a single hair of his head will fall to the ground, for it is with the help of God that he has acted today.” So the army rescued Jonathan from death.[cc]
46 Then Saul stopped chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines went back home.[cd] 47 After Saul had secured his royal position over Israel, he fought against all their[ce] enemies on all sides—the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. In every direction that he turned, he was victorious.[cf] 48 He fought bravely, striking down the Amalekites and delivering Israel from the hand of its enemies.[cg]
Members of Saul’s Family
49 The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malki-Shua.[ch] He had two daughters; the older one was named Merab and the younger Michal. 50 The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the general in command of his army was Abner son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.[ci] 51 Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son[cj] of Abiel.
52 There was fierce war with the Philistines all the days of Saul. So whenever Saul saw anyone who was a warrior or a brave individual, he would conscript him.
The Mission of the Seventy-Two
10 After this[a] the Lord appointed seventy-two[b] others and sent them on ahead of him two by two into every town[c] and place where he himself was about to go. 2 He[d] said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest[e] to send out[f] workers into his harvest. 3 Go! I[g] am sending you out like lambs[h] surrounded by wolves.[i] 4 Do not carry[j] a money bag,[k] a traveler’s bag,[l] or sandals, and greet no one on the road.[m] 5 Whenever[n] you enter a house,[o] first say, ‘May peace[p] be on this house!’ 6 And if a peace-loving person[q] is there, your peace will remain on him, but if not, it will return to you.[r] 7 Stay[s] in that same house, eating and drinking what they give you,[t] for the worker deserves his pay.[u] Do not move around from house to house. 8 Whenever[v] you enter a town[w] and the people[x] welcome you, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal[y] the sick in that town[z] and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God[aa] has come upon[ab] you!’ 10 But whenever[ac] you enter a town[ad] and the people[ae] do not welcome[af] you, go into its streets[ag] and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town[ah] that clings to our feet we wipe off[ai] against you.[aj] Nevertheless know this: The kingdom of God has come.’[ak] 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom[al] than for that town![am]
13 “Woe to you, Chorazin![an] Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if[ao] the miracles[ap] done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon,[aq] they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.[ar] 14 But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon[as] in the judgment than for you! 15 And you, Capernaum,[at] will you be exalted to heaven?[au] No, you will be thrown down to Hades![av]
16 “The one who listens[aw] to you listens to me,[ax] and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects[ay] the one who sent me.”[az]
17 Then[ba] the seventy-two[bb] returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to[bc] us in your name!”[bd] 18 So[be] he said to them, “I saw[bf] Satan fall[bg] like lightning[bh] from heaven. 19 Look, I have given you authority to tread[bi] on snakes and scorpions[bj] and on the full force of the enemy,[bk] and nothing will[bl] hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice that[bm] the spirits submit to you, but rejoice[bn] that your names stand written[bo] in heaven.”
21 On that same occasion[bp] Jesus[bq] rejoiced[br] in the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise[bs] you, Father, Lord[bt] of heaven and earth, because[bu] you have hidden these things from the wise[bv] and intelligent, and revealed them to little children.[bw] Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will.[bx] 22 All things have been given to me by my Father.[by] No one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son decides[bz] to reveal him.”
23 Then[ca] Jesus[cb] turned[cc] to his[cd] disciples and said privately, “Blessed[ce] are the eyes that see what you see! 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings longed to see[cf] what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
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