I. The Situation in Canaan Following the Israelite Conquest

Chapter 1

Canaanites in Palestine. ^1 [a]After the death of Joshua the Israelites consulted the Lord, asking, “Who shall be first among us to attack the Canaanites and to do battle with them?”

¹⁸ Saul then said to Ahijah, “Bring the ephod here.” (Ahijah was wearing the ephod before the Israelites at that time.) ¹⁹ While Saul was speaking to the priest, the uproar in the Philistine camp kept increasing. So he said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”

Jonathan in Danger of Death. ³⁶ Then Saul said, “Let us go down in pursuit of the Philistines by night, to plunder them until daybreak and leave no one alive.” They replied, “Do what you think best.” But the priest said, “Let us consult God.” ³⁷ So Saul inquired of God: “Shall I go down in pursuit of the Philistines? Will you deliver them into the hand of Israel?” But he received no answer on this occasion.^{(A) 38} “All officers of the army,” Saul announced, “come forward. Find out how this sin was committed today. ³⁹ As the Lord lives who has given victory to Israel, even if my son Jonathan has committed it, he shall surely die!” But none of the people answered him. ⁴⁰ So he said to all Israel, “Stand on one side, and my son Jonathan and I will stand on the other.” The people responded, “Do what you think best.”^{(B) 41} And Saul said to the Lord, the God of Israel: “Why did you not answer your servant this time? If the blame for this resides in me or my son Jonathan, Lord, God of Israel, respond with Urim; but if this guilt is in your people Israel, respond with Thummim.”^[a] Jonathan and Saul were designated, and the people went free.^{(C) 42} Saul then said, “Cast lots between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was designated. ⁴³ Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” Jonathan replied, “I only tasted a little honey from the end of the staff I was holding. Am I to die for this?” ⁴⁴ Saul declared, “May God do thus to me, and more, if you do not indeed die, Jonathan!”^(D)

² So he consulted the Lord, asking, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” The Lord answered, Go, attack them, and free Keilah.^(A)

⁴ Again David consulted the Lord, who answered: Go down to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your power.^(A)

⁹ When David found out that Saul was planning to harm him, he said to the priest Abiathar, “Bring the ephod here.”^{(A) 10} “Lord God of Israel,” David prayed, “your servant has heard that Saul plans to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on my account. ¹¹ Will they hand me over? Will Saul come down as your servant has heard? Lord God of Israel, tell your servant.” The Lord answered: He will come down. ¹² David then asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?” The Lord answered: They will deliver you.

^7 (A)and said to Abiathar, the priest, son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod!” When Abiathar brought him the ephod, ⁸ David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue these raiders? Can I overtake them?” The Lord answered him: Go in pursuit, for you will certainly overtake them and bring about a rescue.