42 Next Saul said, “Cast the lots between me and Jonathan—and death to the one God points to!”

The soldiers protested, “No—this is not right. Stop this!” But Saul pushed on anyway. They cast the lots, Urim and Thummim, and the lot fell to Jonathan.

43 Saul confronted Jonathan. “What did you do? Tell me!”

Jonathan said, “I licked a bit of honey off the tip of the staff I was carrying. That’s it—and for that I’m to die?”

44 Saul said, “Yes. Jonathan most certainly will die. It’s out of my hands—I can’t go against God, can I?”

Read full chapter

42 Saul said, “Cast the lot(A) between me and Jonathan my son.” And Jonathan was taken.

43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.”(B)

So Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey(C) with the end of my staff. And now I must die!”

44 Saul said, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely,(D) if you do not die, Jonathan.(E)

Read full chapter