The People Save Jonathan

Saul asks God whether to continue the pursuit, but when no answer comes he searches for the offense behind the silence. He declares that even Jonathan must die if guilty, separates the people, and the lot falls first on Saul and Jonathan, then on Jonathan alone.

S³⁷o Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You give them into the hand of Israel?” ³⁸Therefore Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the troops, and let us investigate how this sin has occurred today. ³⁹As surely as the LORD who saves Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan, he must die!” ⁴⁰Then Saul said to all Israel, “You stand on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will stand on the other side.” ⁴¹So Saul said to the LORD, the God of Israel, “Why have You not answered Your servant this day? If the fault is with me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim, but if the fault is with the men of Israel, respond with Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were selected, but the people were cleared of the charge. ⁴²Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was selected.

Jonathan admits tasting a little honey, and Saul pronounces death on him. The people refuse, insisting that Jonathan has brought Israel’s deliverance with God’s help, so they rescue him and the pursuit ends.

⁴³“Tell me what you have done,” Saul commanded him. ⁴⁴And Saul declared, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if you, Jonathan, do not surely die!” ⁴⁵But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die — he who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? Never! As surely as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for with God’s help he has accomplished this today.” ⁴⁶So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die. Then Saul gave up his pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own land.