14:43 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!” 1 14:44 Saul said, “God will punish me severely if Jonathan doesn’t die!” 2
14:45 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. 3
14:46 Then Saul stopped chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines went back home. 4 14:47 After Saul had secured his royal position over Israel, he fought against all their 5 enemies on all sides – the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. In every direction that he turned he was victorious. 6 14:48 He fought bravely, striking down the Amalekites and delivering Israel from the hand of its enemies. 7
14:49 The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malki-Shua. 8 He had two daughters; the older one was named Merab and the younger Michal. 14:50 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. 9 14:51 Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son 10 of Abiel.
14:52 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.