Saul

1There was a man named Kish. He came from the family group called Benjamin. His father was Abiel. Before Abiel came Zeror, then Bechorath, then Aphiah. Kish was a strong and important man.

Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.

NoteIsrael was made of twelve big family groups called tribes. Benjamin was one of them. Each tribe came from one of Jacob's sons. The list of names here shows Kish's father, grandfather, and older grandfathers.

2Kish had a son named Saul. Saul was a fine young man, and handsome. No one in Israel looked better than he did. He was taller than everyone else, head and shoulders above them.

And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

NoteIsrael is the name of God's people, and also their land.

3One day the donkeys of Saul's father Kish wandered off. Kish said to Saul, "Take one of the servants with you. Go and look for the donkeys."

And the asses of Kish Saul’s father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.

NoteDonkeys were like a truck for a family. They carried heavy loads and people rode them. Losing them was losing something worth a lot of money.

4Saul went through the hills of Ephraim and the land of Shalisha. No donkeys. He went through the land of Shalim. Not there either. He went through the land of Benjamin. Still nothing.

And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.

NoteEphraim, Shalisha, and Shalim are places near Saul's home. Saul and the servant walked for days looking in each one.

5They came to the land of Zuph. Saul said to his servant, "Let's go home. My father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us."

And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.

6The servant said, "Wait. There is a man of God in this city. People here look up to him. Everything he says really happens. Let's go to him. Maybe he can tell us which way to go."

And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.

NoteA man of God was someone God spoke to. He could tell people what God said.

7Saul said, "If we go, what can we bring him? The bread in our bags is gone. We have no gift for the man of God. What do we have?"

Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?

NoteBack then you brought a gift when you asked someone important for help. It was the polite thing to do.

8The servant answered, "I have a small piece of silver here in my hand. I will give it to the man of God. Then he will tell us which way to go."

And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.

NotePeople did not use coins yet. They used small bits of silver and weighed them. This piece was small, about enough to pay for one meal.

9(Long ago in Israel, if someone wanted to ask God a question, he said, "Let's go to the seer." Today we call that person a prophet.)

(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)

NoteThis verse is a little note the writer added. He is explaining an old word to people reading later. Seer means someone who sees what God shows him.

10Saul said to his servant, "Good idea. Come on, let's go." So they went to the city where the man of God was.

Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was.

11They climbed the hill toward the city. On the way they met some young women coming out to get water. They asked the women, "Is the seer here?"

And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here?

NoteWells were outside the town. Girls and women went there with jars to carry water home. It was a good place to meet people and ask questions.

12The women said, "Yes, he is just ahead of you. Hurry. He came to the city today. The people are giving an offering to God at the high place."

And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place:

NoteAn offering was a gift given to God. Often it was an animal. Part was burned for God, and the rest was cooked and shared as a happy meal. A high place was a spot on a hill where people came to worship God. There was an altar there, a stone table for the offerings.

13"Go into the city and you will find him right away. He has not gone up to eat yet. The people will not start eating until he comes. First he asks God to bless the offering. Then the guests eat. So go up now. You will find him."

As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.

NoteBefore eating, the leader thanked God for the food. Everyone waited politely until he did.

14They went up into the city. Just as they came in, there was Samuel. He was walking toward them, on his way up to the high place.

And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.

NoteSamuel was the leader of Israel and a prophet. A prophet is someone who tells people what God says.

15One day before Saul arrived, the LORD had told Samuel something.

Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,

NoteWhen you see LORD in big letters, it stands for God's own special name.

16God said, "Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Pour oil on his head to show he is the leader of my people Israel. He will save them from the Philistines, who fight against them. I have seen my people. I have heard them crying for help."

To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

NotePouring oil on someone's head was like a crown. It showed everyone that God had picked this person for a big job. The Philistines were people who lived nearby, next to the sea. They had strong armies and often attacked Israel.

17When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, "That is the man I told you about. He is the one who will rule my people."

And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.

18Saul walked up to Samuel in the gateway. He said, "Please tell me where the seer's house is."

Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is.

NoteTowns had a wall around them with a gate. The space just inside the gate was where people met, talked, and did business.

19Samuel answered, "I am the seer. Go up ahead of me to the high place. You will eat with me today. In the morning I will send you on your way. I will tell you everything that is on your mind."

And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.

20"Do not worry about the donkeys you lost three days ago. They have been found. And everything Israel is hoping for belongs to you and your father's family."

And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father’s house?

NoteThe people of Israel had been asking for a king. Samuel is hinting that Saul is the one.

21Saul said, "But I am from Benjamin, the smallest family group in Israel. And my own family is the least important one in Benjamin. Why are you saying this to me?"

And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

NoteBenjamin really was the smallest tribe. Saul is surprised that anyone important would notice him.

22Samuel took Saul and his servant into the big dining room. He sat them in the best seats. About thirty guests were there.

And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.

NoteThe seat next to the host was the best seat. Giving it to a guest showed he was honored.

23Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the piece of meat I gave you. I told you to set it aside."

And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.

24The cook brought the leg and the meat on it. He set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, "Here is the part I saved. It is for you. Eat it. I have been keeping it for you since I invited the people." So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.

NoteThe leg was the best piece of meat. Samuel had saved it on purpose for his special guest.

25They came down from the high place into the city. Samuel talked with Saul on the flat roof of his house.

And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house.

NoteRoofs were flat, like a small porch on top. People sat up there to talk, or slept there when nights were warm.

26They got up early. Just before the sun came up, Samuel called to Saul on the roof. He said, "Get up. I will send you on your way." Saul got up, and the two of them went outside together.

And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.

27They walked down toward the edge of the city. Samuel said to Saul, "Tell your servant to go on ahead of us." The servant walked on. "Now stand still here for a moment. I will tell you what God says."

And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on), but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.

1Samuel took a small jar of oil. He poured it on Saul's head. Then he kissed him. He said, "The LORD has chosen you to lead his people."

Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?

NotePouring oil on someone's head was called anointing. It showed that God had picked that person for a special job. This was how kings and priests were chosen.

2"When you leave me today, you will meet two men. They will be near Rachel's grave at Zelzah, on the edge of Benjamin's land. They will tell you the lost donkeys have been found. Your father has stopped worrying about the donkeys. Now he is worried about you. He keeps asking, 'What should I do about my son?'"

When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel’s sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?

NoteRachel lived long before this. She was the mother of Benjamin, and Benjamin's family group was named after him. Saul had been out looking for his father's lost donkeys. Donkeys carried heavy loads, so losing them was a big problem.

3"Then keep going until you reach the big oak tree at Tabor. Three men will meet you there. They are going to worship God at Bethel. One will carry three young goats. One will carry three loaves of bread. One will carry a skin bag full of wine."

Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:

NoteBethel was a town where people went to worship God. The goats, bread, and wine were gifts they were bringing to him. Wine was carried in bags made from animal skin, because there were no glass bottles.

4"They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread. Take the bread from their hands."

And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands.

5"After that you will come to the hill of God, where Philistine soldiers are camped. As you come near the town, you will meet a group of prophets. They will be walking down from the worship place. Music will play in front of them, with harps, drums, and flutes. The prophets will be speaking God's words."

After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:

NoteThe Philistines were a people who lived nearby and often fought Israel. Their soldiers were camped inside Israel's land. The worship place was on top of a hill. People climbed up there to pray and bring gifts to God. A prophet was someone who told people what God said.

6"Then the Spirit of the LORD will come on you with power. You will speak God's words along with them. You will become a different man."

And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

NoteThe Spirit of the LORD means God's own power coming into a person. It gave people strength to do things they could not do alone.

7"When these signs happen, do whatever the moment calls for. God is with you."

And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.

8"Go down to Gilgal ahead of me. I will come there to you. I will burn gifts to God and give peace offerings. Wait seven days until I come. Then I will tell you what to do."

And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.

NoteGilgal was a town in Israel. A burnt offering was an animal given to God and burned on a stone table called an altar. A peace offering was a meal shared with God and with family and friends.

9Saul turned to leave Samuel. God gave Saul a new heart. All the signs came true that very day.

And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.

NoteA new heart does not mean the heart inside his chest. In this book, the heart means the way a person thinks and feels.

10Saul and his servant came to the hill. A group of prophets met him there. The Spirit of God came on Saul with power. He spoke God's words along with them.

And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.

11People who had known Saul before saw this happen. They watched him speaking God's words with the prophets. They asked each other, "What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul a prophet now too?"

And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?

NotePeople often named someone by his father, like Saul son of Kish. Everyone knew Saul as a farmer's son. Nobody expected him to speak God's words.

12A man who lived there answered, "And who is their father?" That is how the saying began: "Is Saul also among the prophets?"

And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?

NoteThe man's question is a puzzle. He seems to mean that prophets do not get the job from their fathers. God can choose anyone, even Saul.

13When Saul finished speaking God's words, he went up to the worship place.

And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.

14Saul's uncle asked him and his servant, "Where did you go?" Saul said, "To look for the donkeys. We could not find them, so we went to Samuel."

And Saul’s uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel.

15Saul's uncle said, "Please tell me what Samuel said to you."

And Saul’s uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.

16Saul said, "He told us plainly that the donkeys were found." But Saul did not tell him what Samuel said about being king.

And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.

17Then Samuel called all the people to meet with the LORD at Mizpeh.

And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;

NoteMizpeh was a town where the people of Israel gathered for big meetings.

18He said to the people of Israel, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says. 'I brought Israel out of Egypt. I saved you from the Egyptians. I saved you from every kingdom that treated you badly.'"

And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you:

NoteLong before this, the people of Israel were slaves in Egypt. God brought them out and made them free.

19"But today you have said no to your God. He is the one who saves you from all your troubles. You told him, 'No. Give us a king instead.' So now come and stand before the LORD. Come tribe by tribe."

And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.

NoteA tribe is one big family group. All of Israel was twelve tribes together.

20Samuel had every tribe of Israel come forward. The tribe of Benjamin was picked.

And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.

NoteTo pick a tribe, they drew lots. It worked a little like drawing straws. People believed God guided which one came out.

21Then the families of Benjamin came forward. The family of Matri was picked. Then Saul, the son of Kish, was picked. But when they looked for him, they could not find him.

When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.

22So they asked the LORD again, "Has the man come here yet?" The LORD answered, "He is hiding among the bags and supplies."

Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.

23They ran and brought him out. He stood among the people. He was taller than everyone else, by a whole head.

And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.

NoteBeing tall mattered to people then. They wanted a king who looked strong enough to lead them into battle.

24Samuel said to all the people, "Look at the man the LORD has chosen. No one else is like him." All the people shouted, "Long live the king!"

And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.

NoteThe King James says, "God save the king." That is old English for "May the king live a long time."

25Then Samuel told the people the rules for having a king. He wrote the rules in a book. He set the book down before the LORD. Then Samuel sent everyone home.

Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.

NoteA book then was a long rolled-up sheet called a scroll. Setting it before the LORD means putting it in the holy tent where people worshiped.

26Saul went home to Gibeah. Brave men went with him. God had touched their hearts.

And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.

NoteGibeah was the town where Saul's family lived.

27But some troublemakers said, "How can this man save us?" They looked down on Saul and brought him no gifts. But Saul stayed quiet about it.

But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.

NoteThe King James calls them "children of Belial." That old phrase means troublemakers who are no good. People brought gifts to a new king to show they accepted him. Bringing nothing was a way of saying no.

1Nahash the Ammonite brought his army and camped around the town of Jabesh-gilead. The men of Jabesh said to him, "Make a deal with us. We will work for you."

Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.

NoteThe Ammonites were a people who lived east of Israel. They and Israel often fought each other. Nahash was their king. Camping around a town was a way to attack it. No food or help could get in. The town would slowly grow hungry and give up.

2Nahash said, "I will only make a deal one way. I will put out the right eye of every one of you. That will shame all of Israel."

And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.

NoteA soldier held his shield with his left hand. The shield covered his left eye. So he aimed with his right eye. Taking that eye meant a man could never fight again. Nahash wanted every Israelite to feel weak and ashamed.

3The leaders of Jabesh said, "Give us seven days. Let us send messengers all over Israel. If nobody comes to save us, we will give ourselves up to you."

And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days’ respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee.

NoteThe King James says "coasts of Israel." That does not mean the seashore. It means the whole land, all the way to the edges.

4The messengers came to Gibeah, the town where Saul lived. They told the people what had happened. All the people cried out loud.

Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept.

NoteThe King James word "tidings" just means news.

5Just then Saul came in from the field, walking behind his oxen. Saul asked, "What is wrong? Why are the people crying?" So they told him what the men of Jabesh had said.

And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.

NoteOxen are big, strong cattle. Farmers used them to pull plows through the dirt. Saul was doing farm work when the news came.

6When Saul heard this, the Spirit of God came on him. Saul became very angry.

And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.

Note"The Spirit of God came upon Saul" means God gave Saul power. It made him ready and strong for a hard job.

7Saul took two oxen and cut them into pieces. He sent the pieces all over Israel with messengers. The message said, "Anyone who does not come out and follow Saul and Samuel will lose his oxen like this." Then a great fear from the LORD came over the people. They all came out together.

And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.

NoteThis looks strange to us, but it was a message. Every family who saw a piece knew it was a call to come fight. It also warned them what they would lose if they stayed home.

8Saul counted the men at a place called Bezek. There were 300,000 men from Israel and 30,000 men from Judah.

And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

NoteJudah was one of the family groups of Israel, and the biggest one. That is why its men are counted on their own.

9They told the messengers, "Say this to the men of Jabesh-gilead. Tomorrow, before the day gets hot, help will come." The messengers went back and told the men of Jabesh. The men were glad.

And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.

NotePeople had no clocks. They told time by the sun. "By the time the sun be hot" means the middle of the morning.

10So the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Tomorrow we will come out to you. Then you may do whatever you want with us."

Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To morrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you.

11The next day Saul split his men into three groups. Early in the morning they went into the enemy camp. They fought the Ammonites until the hottest part of the day. The ones who lived ran away in every direction. No two of them were left together.

And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.

NoteThe night was split into parts called watches. Guards took turns keeping watch in each part. The morning watch was the last part, just before the sun came up. It was still dark, so the enemy did not see them coming.

12Then the people said to Samuel, "Who was it that said Saul should not be our king? Bring those men here. We will put them to death."

And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.

NoteEarlier, some men had said Saul was no good as king. Now that he had won, the people wanted those men punished.

13But Saul said, "No one will be put to death today. Today the LORD has saved Israel."

And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.

Note"Wrought salvation" is old English for "has rescued us." Saul means God saved Israel that day, so it was not a day for killing.

14Then Samuel said to the people, "Come with me to the town of Gilgal. There we will start Saul's rule again."

Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.

NoteSaul had already been picked as king. This was a special day to say it again out loud. Everyone would agree together that Saul was king.

15So all the people went to Gilgal. There they made Saul king before the LORD. They gave peace offerings to the LORD, which are gifts of animals shared in a happy meal. Saul and all the men of Israel were full of joy.

And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

NoteA peace offering was a gift of an animal given to God. Part of it was burned for God. The rest was cooked and eaten by the people. It was a happy meal to say thank you.

1Saul had been king for a short time. These things happened early in his rule over Israel.

Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,

NoteSaul was the very first king of Israel. Before him, Israel had no king at all.

2Saul picked three thousand men of Israel to be his soldiers. Two thousand stayed with him at Michmash and in the hills of Bethel. One thousand stayed with his son Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. Saul sent all the other men home.

Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.

NoteBenjamin was one of the twelve large family groups of Israel. Saul came from that family.

3Jonathan attacked the camp of Philistine soldiers at Geba. The Philistines soon heard what Jonathan had done. Saul blew a ram's horn all across the land. He said, "Let the Hebrews hear this!"

And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.

NoteA ram's horn came from a male sheep. People blew it loud to call everyone together. "Hebrews" was another name for the people of Israel. The Philistines were a people who lived nearby and often fought Israel.

4All Israel heard the news. Saul had attacked a Philistine camp. Now the Philistines hated Israel more than ever. So the people came together to join Saul at Gilgal.

And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.

NoteGilgal was a town where Israel often came together to meet with God.

5The Philistines gathered to fight Israel. They had thirty thousand chariots, which are carts pulled by horses in war. They had six thousand men riding horses. Their soldiers were like sand on the beach, too many to count. They came and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.

6The men of Israel saw they were in great danger. They were badly frightened. So they hid in caves, in bushes, among rocks, and down in pits.

When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

NoteThese pits were holes dug in the ground. People kept water or grain in them.

7Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan River into the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was still at Gilgal. All the men with him were shaking with fear.

And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

NoteGad and Gilead were lands on the far side of the Jordan River. Going there meant getting far away from the fighting.

8Saul waited seven days. That was the time Samuel had set. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal. Saul's men began to slip away.

And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.

NoteSamuel was a prophet. A prophet told people what God was saying.

9So Saul said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings." These were gifts to God, animals burned on an altar. Then Saul gave the burnt offering himself.

And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.

NoteAn altar was a stone table where gifts to God were burned. Usually a priest, one of God's special helpers, burned the gift. A peace offering was partly shared as a happy meal.

10Just as Saul finished the offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to say hello to him.

And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.

11Samuel asked, "What have you done?" Saul said, "I saw my men leaving me. You did not come when you said you would. And the Philistines were gathering at Michmash."

And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;

12"I thought, the Philistines will come down and attack me here at Gilgal. And I have not yet asked the LORD for help. So I made myself do it. I gave the burnt offering."

Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.

NoteLORD in big letters stands for God's own special name.

13Samuel said to Saul, "That was a foolish thing to do. You did not obey what the LORD your God told you. If you had obeyed, God would have kept your family as kings forever."

And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

NoteIn those days, when a king died, his son usually became the next king.

14"But now your rule will not last. The LORD has looked for a man who pleases his own heart. He has chosen that man to lead his people. This is because you did not obey the LORD."

But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

NoteThe King James says God looked for "a man after his own heart." That means a man who loves what God loves.

15Then Samuel got up and left Gilgal. He went to Gibeah in the land of Benjamin. Saul counted the men who were still with him. There were about six hundred.

And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.

16Saul, his son Jonathan, and their men stayed in Geba of Benjamin. The Philistines stayed camped at Michmash.

And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.

17Raiders came out of the Philistine camp in three groups. Raiders are fighters who attack and take things. One group went toward Ophrah, in the land of Shual.

And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:

18Another group went toward Beth-horon. The third group went along the edge of the land. That road looks down on the Valley of Zeboim, near the desert.

And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

19There was no blacksmith anywhere in Israel. The Philistines had said, "The Hebrews must not make swords or spears."

Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:

NoteA blacksmith heats metal in a fire and hammers it into tools. With no blacksmith, no one in Israel could make a sword.

20So all the Israelites went down to the Philistines instead. They went to get their farm tools made sharp again. They took plow blades, digging tools, and axes.

But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.

NoteA plow blade cuts open the dirt so seeds can be planted. A digging tool like this breaks up hard ground.

21They had to pay for each tool that was sharpened. The price was a small weight of silver. Even the long pointed sticks for driving oxen cost money to fix.

Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.

NotePeople did not use coins yet. They paid with small pieces of silver, weighed on a scale.

22So on the day of the battle, no soldier with Saul and Jonathan had a sword or spear. Only Saul and his son Jonathan had them.

So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.

23A group of Philistine soldiers went out to the narrow pass at Michmash.

And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.

NoteA pass is a narrow path between hills. An army had to squeeze through it.

1One day Jonathan, King Saul's son, spoke to the young man who carried his weapons. "Come. Let's cross over to the Philistine camp on the other side." But Jonathan did not tell his father.

Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.

NoteThe Philistines were a people who lived nearby. They often fought against Israel. A young man who carried a soldier's weapons went with him into battle. He carried the shield and the spare spears.

2Saul was staying at the far edge of Gibeah, under a pomegranate tree in Migron. About six hundred men were with him.

And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;

NoteA pomegranate tree grows round red fruit. The fruit is full of little juicy seeds.

3Ahiah was there too. He was a priest, a man who served God for the people, and he wore an ephod. He was the son of Ahitub, from the family of Eli, the priest at Shiloh. The men did not know that Jonathan had left.

And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD’s priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.

NoteAn ephod was a special vest the priest wore. It held two stones the priest used to ask God questions. Shiloh was the town where God's holy tent stood.

4Jonathan had to pass between two tall, sharp rocks to reach the Philistine camp. One rock was called Bozez. The other was called Seneh.

And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.

NoteThe two rocks stood on each side of a narrow path. People gave big rocks names so they could tell others the way.

5One rock stood on the north side, facing Michmash. The other stood on the south side, facing Geba.

The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.

6Jonathan said to the young man who carried his weapons, "Come. Let's cross over to the camp of these men who do not belong to God's people. Maybe the LORD will help us. Nothing can stop the LORD from saving. He does not need a big army."

And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

NoteThe King James Bible calls the Philistines "uncircumcised." Circumcision was a small mark cut on a boy's body. It showed that he belonged to God's people. The Philistines did not have it.

7The young man said, "Do whatever you think is right. Go ahead. I am with you all the way."

And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.

8Jonathan said, "Here is what we will do. We will cross over and let those men see us.

Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.

9If they say, 'Wait there until we come to you,' then we will stay where we are. We will not climb up.

If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.

10But if they say, 'Come up here,' then we will go up. That will be our sign that the LORD has handed them over to us."

But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.

NoteA sign is something that shows you what to do next. Jonathan asked God for one before he climbed up.

11So the two of them stepped out where the Philistine soldiers could see them. The Philistines said, "Look! The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes where they were hiding!"

And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.

Note"Hebrews" is another name for the people of Israel. Many of them had been hiding in caves and holes in the rocks.

12The soldiers called out to Jonathan and his helper, "Come up here, and we will teach you a lesson!" Jonathan said to his helper, "Follow me up. The LORD has handed them over to Israel."

And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.

13Jonathan climbed up using his hands and his feet, and his helper came after him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his helper struck them down behind him.

And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.

14In that first fight, Jonathan and his helper killed about twenty men. It happened in a small space, about half an acre.

And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.

NoteHalf an acre is a small piece of ground. Picture a space about as big as a playground.

15Fear spread through the whole Philistine army, in the camp and in the fields. Even the soldiers on guard and the raiding parties shook with fear. The ground shook too. It was a very great fear.

And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.

16Saul's watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked out. They saw the Philistine crowd breaking apart and running every way.

And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.

NoteWatchmen were men who stood up high and looked out. Their job was to warn everyone if danger came.

17Saul said to his men, "Count everyone. Find out who is missing." They counted, and Jonathan and his helper were gone.

Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.

18Saul said to Ahiah, "Bring the ark of God here." The ark was a holy chest, and at that time it was with the people of Israel.

And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.

NoteThe ark was a wooden box covered in gold. Inside it were the stone rules God gave to Moses. It was the most holy thing Israel had.

19While Saul was still talking to the priest, the noise in the Philistine camp grew louder and louder. So Saul told the priest, "Never mind. Stop."

And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.

NoteThe priest had started asking God a question. Saul told him to stop, because there was no time to wait.

20Saul and all his men gathered and went to the battle. They found the Philistines fighting each other with their own swords. Everything was in a mess.

And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.

21Some Hebrew men had been on the Philistine side before this. Now they changed sides and joined Saul and Jonathan.

Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.

NoteSome men from Israel had been living among the Philistines. They had been fighting on the Philistine side. Now they came back to their own people.

22Other men of Israel had been hiding in the hills of Ephraim. When they heard the Philistines were running away, they joined the chase.

Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.

NoteEphraim was a hilly part of the land of Israel. It had many caves and woods to hide in.

23So the LORD saved Israel that day. The fighting moved on past Bethaven.

So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.

24The men of Israel had a hard day. Saul had made them promise, "Anyone who eats before evening will be under a curse. First I must pay back my enemies." So no one ate anything.

And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.

NoteSaul made the men swear a promise to God. A curse was a strong wish that bad things would happen. Breaking such a promise scared people very much.

25All the men came into a forest. There was honey on the ground.

And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.

NoteWild bees built their nests in the trees. Their honey dripped down onto the ground.

26When they walked in, they saw the honey dripping. But no one put a hand to his mouth. They were afraid of the promise they had made.

And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.

27Jonathan had not heard his father give that order. So he reached out the stick in his hand and dipped it in the honey. He ate some, and he felt strong again.

But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.

NoteThe stick was a walking staff. A honeycomb is the waxy house bees build to hold their honey. The King James says "his eyes were enlightened." That was an old way of saying he felt awake and strong again.

28One of the soldiers told him, "Your father made everyone promise not to eat today. Anyone who eats is under a curse. That is why the men are so weak."

Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.

29Jonathan said, "My father has made trouble for the whole land. Look how much better I feel after just a little honey.

Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.

30Think how much better it would be if the men had eaten food taken from the enemy today. We would have beaten the Philistines even worse."

How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?

NoteFood taken from an enemy after a battle was called spoil. Winning soldiers were allowed to eat it.

31That day Israel fought the Philistines all the way from Michmash to Aijalon. By then the men were very weak.

And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.

32So they rushed at the animals they had taken. They grabbed sheep, cows, and calves, killed them on the ground, and ate the meat with the blood still in it.

And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.

NoteGod had given Israel a rule about meat. The blood had to be drained out before anyone ate it. The hungry men were too rushed to do that.

33Someone told Saul, "Look, the men are sinning against the LORD. They are eating meat with the blood in it." Saul said, "You have done wrong. Roll a big stone over here right now."

Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.

NoteThe big stone worked like a table. The animals were killed on top of it so the blood could run off.

34Saul said, "Go tell everyone to bring me his ox or his sheep. Kill it here, then eat it. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with the blood in it." That night every man brought his animal and killed it there.

And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.

35Then Saul built an altar to the LORD, a stone place for giving gifts to God. This was the first altar he ever built.

And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.

36Saul said, "Let's chase the Philistines tonight. We will take their things until morning and leave none of them alive." The men said, "Do whatever you think is best." But the priest said, "Let's ask God first."

And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.

NoteThe priest could ask God questions using the stones in his ephod. The answer came back as a yes or a no.

37So Saul asked God, "Should I go after the Philistines? Will you hand them over to Israel?" But God gave him no answer that day.

And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.

38Saul said, "All you leaders, come here. Let's find out what sin was done today.

And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.

39As surely as the LORD lives, the one who saves Israel, the guilty man must die. Even if it is my own son Jonathan." But not one man said a word.

For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.

Note"As the LORD liveth" was a way of making a very strong promise. It meant: I really mean this.

40Then Saul said to all Israel, "You stand on one side. Jonathan and I will stand on the other side." The men said, "Do whatever you think is best."

Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee.

41Saul prayed to the LORD, the God of Israel, "Show us the true answer." The lot pointed to Saul and Jonathan, and the other men were shown to be clear.

Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.

NoteA lot was a way of choosing, a bit like drawing straws. The priest used special stones to get God's answer.

42Saul said, "Now choose between me and my son Jonathan." The lot pointed to Jonathan.

And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.

43Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you did." Jonathan said, "I only tasted a little honey off the end of my stick. And now I must die?"

Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.

44Saul said, "May God punish me if I do not keep my word. You must die, Jonathan."

And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.

45But the men said to Saul, "Should Jonathan die? He is the one who saved Israel today. No! As surely as the LORD lives, not one hair of his head will fall. God helped him do this." So the men saved Jonathan, and he did not die.

And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

Note"Not one hair of his head will fall" is an old saying. It means nobody will hurt him at all.

46Then Saul stopped chasing the Philistines. The Philistines went back to their own land.

Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.