Jonathan, the Honey and Saul's Oath

Saul put the men of Israel under a hard oath that day. No one was to eat until evening, while he sought revenge on his enemies. The men were already distressed, and when they entered a forest and found honey on the ground, no one dared eat it because they feared the oath.

Jonathan had not heard his father's command. He reached out with the end of his rod, dipped it into the honey, and ate a little. His eyes brightened. Then one of the soldiers told him about Saul's oath. Jonathan said his father had troubled the land, because the people were faint and would have done better if they had been allowed to eat.

Israel struck the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, but the people became very faint. Then they rushed on the plunder, took sheep, cattle, and calves, and ate in a way that sinned against Yahweh by eating meat with the blood. Saul ordered a large stone to be brought and told the people to bring their animals there and kill them properly before eating. Saul also built an altar to Yahweh.

Saul wanted to go down by night after the Philistines and keep attacking them. But first the priest said they should draw near to God. Saul asked for God's guidance, yet no answer came that day. Saul said some sin must have caused this, and he declared that even if Jonathan were responsible, Jonathan would have to die. Lots were cast, and first Saul and Jonathan were taken, then Jonathan alone was selected.

Jonathan openly admitted what he had done. He had tasted a little honey with the end of his rod. Saul said Jonathan must die. But the people answered that Jonathan should not die, because he had worked with God that day and brought great deliverance in Israel. So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die. Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.