1 Samuel 14:24-52 – Breakdown Between Father & Son

Sermon by Nate Wilson for Christ The Redeemer Church, Manhattan, KS, 21 Mar 2021

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Vs. 24-26 - Saul’s “very thoughtless” revenge-curse

Vs. 27-30 - Jonathan’s critical attitude toward his father

Vs. 31-35 - Saul provides a merciful fix for the army’s sin of eating blood

Vs. 36-37 - Saul’s next-day Guidance fiasco

Vs. 38-45 Saul Tries to Kill Jonathan over breaking his fast

Vs. 47-52 – Saul Continues to Fight, but misses family members

Conclusion

Appendix: Genealogy of Saul

m. = married, c. = concubine, r. = raped

Squares = males, Circles = females

All the information comes from the Bible, but the salmon-colored names are in 1 Sam. 14.

FWIW, Merib-baal is the name of Jonathan’s son given in 1 Chron 8 instead of Mephibosheth.

1 Samuel 14:24-52 - Side-by side comparison of versionsA

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24 καὶ Σαουλ ἠγνόησεν ἄγνοι­αν μεγάλην ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ καὶ X ἀρᾶται τῷ λαῷ λέγων Ἐπικατάρ­ατος ὁ ἄνθρω­πος, ὃς φάγεται ἄρτον ἕως ἑσπέρας, καὶ ἐκδικήσωB τὸν ἐχθρόν μου· καὶ οὐκ ἐγεύσατο πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἄρτου.

24 And Saul committed a great trespass of ignorance in that day, and he lays a curse on the people, saying, Cursed is the man who shall eat bread before the evening; so I will avenge myself on my enemy: and none of the people tasted bread.

24 And the men of Israel were joined together that day: and Saul adjured the people, saying: Cursed be the man that shall eat food till evening, till I be revenged of my enemies. So none of the people tasted [any] food.

24 And the men of Israel were distressedC that day: for Saul had adjuredD 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.

24

24 וְאִישׁ- יִשְׂרָאֵל נִגַּשׂE בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא וַיֹּאֶל שָׁאוּל אֶת-הָעָם לֵאמֹר אָרוּר הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר- יֹאכַל לֶחֶם עַד- הָעֶרֶב וְנִקַּמְתִּי מֵאֹיְבַי וְלֹא טָעַם כָּל-הָעָם לָחֶם: ס

25 καὶ πᾶσα ἡ γῆ ἠρίστα. καὶ ιααρF [δρυμὸς] X ἦν μελισσῶνος κατὰ πρόσωπον τοῦ ἀγροῦ,

[, though all the land was dining] 25 And Jaal was [a wood abounding] in swarms of bees on the face of the ground.

25 And all the [common] peopleG came into a forest, in which there was honey upon the ground.

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

25

25 וְכָל-הָאָרֶץ בָּאוּ בַיָּעַר וַיְהִי דְבַשׁ עַל-פְּנֵי הַשָּׂדֶה:

26 καὶ εἰσῆλθεν ὁ λαὸς εἰς τὸν μελισ­σῶνα, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐπορεύετο λαλῶν,H καὶ [ἰδοὺ] οὐκ ἦν ἐπιστρέφ­ων τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἐφοβήθη ὁ λαὸς τὸν ὅρκον [κυρίου].

26 And the people went into the place of the bees, and, behold, they continued speaking; and[, behold,] there was none that put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath [of the Lord].

26 And when the people came into the forest, behold the honey dropped, but no man put his hand to his mouth. For the people feared the oath.

26 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.

26

26 וַיָּבֹא הָעָם אֶל-הַיַּעַר וְהִנֵּה הֵלֶךְI דְּבָשׁ וְאֵין-מַשִּׂיג יָדוֹ אֶל-פִּיו כִּי-יָרֵא הָעָם אֶת- הַשְּׁבֻעָה:

27 καὶ Ιωναθαν οὐκ ἀκηκόει ἐν τῷ ὁρκίζειν τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ τὸν λαόν· καὶ ἐξέτεινεν τὸ ἄκρον τοῦ σκήπτρου [αὐτοῦ]J τοῦ ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔβαψεν αὐτὸ εἰς τὸ κηρίονK τοῦ μέλιτος καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀνέβλεψανL οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ.

27 And Jonathan had not heard when his father adjured the people; and he reached forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and dipped it into the honeycomb, and returned his hand to his mouth, and his eyes recovered their sight.

27 But Jonathan had not heard when his father adjured the people: and he put forth the end of the rod, which he had in his hand, and dipt it in a honeycomb: and he carried his hand to his mouth, and his eyes were enlightened.

27 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.

27

27 וְיוֹנָתָן לֹא- שָׁמַע בְּהַשְׁבִּיעַ אָבִיו אֶת-הָעָם וַיִּשְׁלַח אֶת-קְצֵה הַמַּטֶּה אֲשֶׁר בְּיָדוֹ וַיִּטְבֹּל אוֹתָהּ בְּיַעְרַת הַדְּבָשׁ וַיָּשֶׁב יָדוֹ אֶל-פִּיו וַתָּרֹאנָהM עֵינָיו:

28 καὶ ἀπεκρίθη εἷς ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ εἶπεν Ὁρκίσας ὥρκισεν ὁ πατήρ σου τὸν λαὸν λέγων Ἐπικατάρ­ατος ὁ ἄνθρωπος, ὃς φάγεται ἄρτον σήμερον, καὶ ἐξελύθη ὁ λαός.

28 And one of the people answered and said, Thy father solemnly adjured the people, saying, Cursed is the man who shall eat bread to-day. And the people were very faint,

28 And one of the people answering, said: Thy father hath bound the people with an oath, saying: Cursed be the man that shall eat any food this day. (And the people were faint.)

28 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.

28

28 וַיַּעַןN אִישׁ מֵהָעָם וַיֹּאמֶר הַשְׁבֵּעַ הִשְׁבִּיעַ אָבִיךָ אֶת-הָעָם לֵאמֹר אָרוּר הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר- יֹאכַל לֶחֶם הַיּוֹם וַיָּעַף הָעָם:

29 [καὶ ἔγνω] Ιωναθαν καὶ εἶπεν Ἀπήλλαχεν ὁ πατήρ μου τὴν γῆν· ἰδὲ δὴ ὅτι εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου, ὅτι ἐγευσάμην βραχὺ τοῦ μέλιτος τούτου·

29 and Jonathan knew it, and said, My father has destroyed the land: see how my eyes have received sight now that I have tasted a little of this honey.

29 And Jonathan said: My father hath troubled the land: you have seen yourselves that my eyes are enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey:

29 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.

29 But Jonathan, when he was informed, nevertheless said, “My father has troubled the land: see now how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey!”

29 O וַיֹּאמֶר יוֹנָתָן עָכַר אָבִי אֶת-הָאָרֶץP רְאוּ-נָא כִּי-אֹרוּ עֵינַי כִּי טָעַמְתִּי מְעַט דְּבַשׁQ הַזֶּה:

v.30 Septuagint

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30 ἀλλ᾿ ὅτιR εἰ ἔφαγεν ἔσθων ὁ λαὸς σήμερον τῶν σκύλων τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτῶν, ὧν εὗρεν, ὅτι νῦν X [ἂν] μείζων ἦν ἡ πληγὴ ἐν τοῖς ἀλλοφύλοις.

30 Surely if the people had this day eaten freely of the spoils of their enemies which they found, the slaughter among the Philistines [would] X have been greater.

30 How much more if the people had eaten X of the prey of their enemies, which they found? had X there not been made a greater slaughter among the Philistines?

30 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?

30

30 אַף כִּיS לוּא אָכֹל אָכַל הַיּוֹםT הָעָם מִשְּׁלַל אֹיְבָיו אֲשֶׁר מָצָא כִּי עַתָּה לֹאU-רָבְתָה מַכָּה בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּים:V

31 καὶ ἐπάταξεν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἐκ τῶν ἀλλοφύλων ἐν Μαχεμας, X X καὶ ἐκοπίασεν ὁ λαὸς σφόδρα.

31 And on that day he smote some of the Philistines in Machmas X X; and the people were very weary.

31 So they smote that day the Philistines, from Machmas to Aialon. And the people were wearied exceedingly.

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

31

31 וַיַּכּוּW בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּים מִמִּכְמָשׂX אַיָּלֹנָה וַיָּעַף הָעָם מְאֹד:

32 καὶ ἐκλίθη ὁ λαὸς εἰς τὰ σκῦ­λα,Y καὶ ἔλαβεν ὁ λαὸς ποίμνια καὶ βουκόλια καὶ τέκνα βοῶν καὶ ἔσφαξεν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, καὶ ἤσθιεν ὁ λαὸς σὺν τῷ αἵματι.

32 And the people turned to the spoil; and the people took flocks, and herds, and calves, and slew them on the ground, and the people ate with the blood.

32 And X falling upon the spoil[s], they took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people ate [them] with the blood.

32 And the people flewZ 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.

32

32 וַיַּעַשׂAA הָעָם אֶל-שָׁלָלAB וַיִּקְחוּAC צֹאן וּבָקָר וּבְנֵי בָקָר וַיִּשְׁחֲטוּAD-אָרְצָה וַיֹּאכַל הָעָם עַל-הַדָּם:

33 καὶ ἀπηγγέλη τῷ Σαουλ λέγοντες Ἡμάρτηκεν ὁ λαὸς τῷ κυρίῳ φαγὼν σὺν τῷ αἵματι. καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ ἐν ΓεθθεμAE Κυλίσατέ μοι λίθον ἐνταῦθα μέγαν.

33 And it was reported to Saul, saying, The people have sinned against the Lord, eating with the blood: and Saul said, Out of Getthaim roll a great stone to me hither.

33 And they told Saul that the people had sinned against the Lord, eating with the blood. And he said: You have transgressed: roll here to me now a great stone.

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

33

33 וַיַּגִּידוּAH לְשָׁאוּל לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה הָעָם חֹטִאים לַיהוָה לֶאֱכֹל עַל-הַדָּם וַיֹּאמֶר בְּגַדְתֶּם גֹּלּוּ-אֵלַי הַיּוֹם אֶבֶן גְּדוֹלָה:

34 καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ Διασπάρητε ἐν τῷ λαῷ καὶ εἴπατε αὐτοῖς προσαγαγεῖν ἐνταῦθα ἕκαστος τὸν μόσχον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἕκαστος τὸ πρόβατον αὐτοῦ, καὶ σφαζέτω ἐπὶ τούτου X XAI, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἁμάρτητε τῷ κυρίῳ τοῦ ἐσθίειν σὺν τῷ αἵματι· καὶ προσῆγεν πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἕκαστος X τὸ ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ X X καὶ ἔσφαζον ἐκεῖ.

34 And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and tell them to bring hither every one his calf, and every one his sheep: and let them slay it on this [stone] X X and sin not against the Lord in eating with the blood: and the people brought each one X that which was in his hand X X, and they slew them there.

34 And Saul said: Disperse yourselves among the people, and tell them to bring me every man his ox and X his ram and slay them upon this [stone], and eat, and you shall not sin against the Lord, in eating with the blood. So all the people brought every man his ox with him X till the night: and slew them there.

34 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 X 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 X that night, and slew them there.

34

34 וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל פֻּצוּAJ בָעָם וַאֲמַרְתֶּם לָהֶם הַגִּישׁוּ אֵלַי אִישׁ שׁוֹרוֹAK וְאִישׁ שְׂיֵהוּ וּשְׁחַטְתֶּם בָּזֶה וַאֲכַלְתֶּם וְלֹא-תֶחֶטְאוּ לַיהוָה לֶאֱכֹל אֶל-הַדָּם וַיַּגִּשׁוּ כָל-הָעָם אִישׁ שׁוֹרוֹ בְיָדוֹ הַלַּיְלָה וַיִּשְׁחֲטוּ-שָׁם:

35 καὶ ᾠκοδόμη­σεν [ἐκεῖ] Σαουλ θυσιαστήριον τῷ κυρίῳ· τοῦτο ἤρξ­ατο [Σαουλ] οἰκο­δομῆσαι θυσιασ­τήριον τῷ κυρίῳ.


35 And Saul built an altar [there] to the Lord: this was the first altar that [Saul] built to the Lord.

35 And Saul built an altar to the Lord: [and] he then first began to build an altar to the Lord.

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

35 So Saul built an altar to Yahweh; it was what he began to build as an altar for Yahweh.AL

35 וַיִּבֶן שָׁאוּל מִזְבֵּחַ לַיהוָה אֹתוֹ הֵחֵל לִבְנוֹת מִזְבֵּחַ לַיהוָה: פ

v.36 Septuagint

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36 Καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ Καταβῶμεν ὀπίσω τῶν ἀλλο­φύλων τὴν νύκτα καὶ διαρπάσωμεν ἐν αὐτοῖς, ἕως διαφαύσῃ ἡ ἡμέρα, καὶ μὴ ὑπολίπωμεν ἐν αὐτοῖς ἄνδρα. καὶ εἶπαν Πᾶν τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐνώπιόν σου ποίει. καὶ εἶπ­εν ὁ ἱερεύς Προσ­έλθωμεν ἐνταῦθα πρὸς τὸν θεόν.

36 And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philis­tines this night, and let us plunder among them till the day break, and let us not leave a man among them. And they said, Do all that is good in thy sight: and the priest said, let us draw nigh hither to God.

36 And Saul said: Let us fall upon the Philistines by night, and destroy them till the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And the [people] said: Do all that seemeth good in thy eyes. And the priest said: Let us draw near hither unto God.

36 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 X. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.

36

36 וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל נֵרְדָה אַחֲרֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים לַיְלָה וְנָבֹזָה בָהֶם עַד- אוֹר הַבֹּקֶר וְלֹא- נַשְׁאֵר בָּהֶם אִישׁ וַיֹּאמְרוּ כָּל-הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינֶיךָ עֲשֵׂה ס וַיֹּאמֶר הַכֹּהֵן נִקְרְבָה הֲלֹם אֶל-הָאֱלֹהִים:

37 καὶ ἐπηρώτησεν Σαουλ τὸν θεόν Εἰ καταβῶ ὀπίσω τῶν ἀλλοφύλων; εἰ παραδώσεις αὐτοὺς εἰς χεῖρα[ς] Ισραηλ; καὶ οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ.

37 And Saul enquired of God, If I go down after the Philistines, wilt thou deliver them into the hand[s] of Israel? And he answered him not in that day.

37 And Saul consulted the Lord: Shall I pursue after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand[s] of Israel? And he answered him not that day.

37 And Saul asked [counsel]AM 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.

37

37 וַיִּשְׁאַל שָׁאוּל בֵּאלֹהִים הַאֵרֵד אַחֲרֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים הֲתִתְּנֵם בְּיַד יִשְׂרָאֵל וְלֹא עָנָהוּ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא:

38 καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ Προσαγάγετε ἐνταῦθα πάσας τὰς γωνίαςAN τοῦ Ισραηλ καὶ γνῶτε καὶ ἴδετε ἐν τίνι γέγονεν ἡ ἁμαρτία αὕτη σήμερον X·

38 And Saul said, Bring hither all the chiefs of Israel, and know and see by whom this sin has been committed this day.

38 And Saul said: Bring hither all the corners of the people: and know, and see by whom this sin hath happened to day.

38 And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chiefXAO of the people: and knowAP and see whereinAQ this sin hath been this day.

38 So Saul said, “Bring here all the cornerstones of the nation and let us know and see this day by whom this sin occurred,

38 וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל גֹּשׁוּ הֲלֹם כֹּל פִּנּוֹת הָעָם וּדְעוּ וּרְאוּ בַּמָּה הָיְתָה הַחַטָּאת הַזֹּאת הַיּוֹם:

39 ὅτι ζῇ κύριος ὁ σώσας τὸν Ισραηλ, ὅτι ἐὰν ἀποκριθῇ κατὰ Ιωναθαν τοῦ υἱοῦ μου, θανάτῳ ἀποθανεῖται. καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ ἀποκρινόμενος ἐκ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ.

39 For as the Lord lives who has saved Israel, if [answer] should be against my son Jonathan, he shall surely die. And there was no one that answered out of all the people.

39 As the Lord liveth, who is the Saviour of Israel, if it was [done] by Jonathan, my son, he shall surely die. In [this] none of X the people gainsayed him.

39 For, as the LORD liveth, which savethAR 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.

39 for he shall surely be put to death - even if it is confirmed in my son JonathanAS - if Yahweh the Savior of Israel is alive.” But there was no one who would answer him from all the people.

39 כִּי חַי-יְהוָה הַמּוֹשִׁיעַ אֶת- יִשְׂרָאֵל כִּי אִם- יֶשְׁנוֹ בְּיוֹנָתָן בְּנִי כִּי מוֹת יָמוּת וְאֵין עֹנֵהוּ מִכָּל- הָעָם:

40 καὶ εἶπεν παντὶ Ισραηλ Ὑμεῖς ἔσεσθε εἰς δουλείαν X, καὶ ἐγὼ καὶ Ιωναθαν ὁ υἱός μου ἐσόμεθα εἰς δουλείαν X. καὶ εἶπεν ὁ λαὸς πρὸς Σαουλ Τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐνώπιόν σου ποίει.

40 And he said to all the [men ofAT] Israel, Ye shall be under subjection X, and I and Jonathan my son will be under subjection X: and the people said to Saul, Do that which is good in thy sight.

40 And he said to all Israel: Be you on one side and I, with Jonathan, my son, will be on the other side. And the people answered Saul: Do what seemeth good in thy eyes.

40 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 X thee.

40

40 וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל- כָּל-יִשְׂרָאֵל אַתֶּם תִּהְיוּ לְעֵבֶר אֶחָד וַאֲנִי וְיוֹנָתָן בְּנִי נִהְיֶה לְעֵבֶר אֶחָד וַיֹּאמְרוּ הָעָם אֶל-שָׁאוּל הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינֶיךָ עֲשֵׂה: ס

41 καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ X Κύριε ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ, [τί ὅτι οὐκ ἀπεκρίθης τῷ δού­λῳ σου σήμερον; εἰ ἐν ἐμοὶ ἢ ἐν Ιων­α­θαν τῷ υἱῷ μου ἡ ἀδικία, κύριε ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ, δὸς δήλους· καὶ ἐὰν τάδε εἴπῃς Ἐν τῷ λαῷ σου Ισ­ραηλ,] δὸς δὴ ὁσιό­τητα. καὶ κληροῦται Ιωναθαν καὶ Σαουλ, καὶ ὁ λαὸς ἐξῆλθεν.

41 And Saul said, O Lord God of Israel, [why hast thou not answered thy servant this day? is the iniquity in me, or in Jonathan my son? Lord God of Israel, give clear manifestations; and if [the lot] should declare this, [[give, I pray thee,AU]] to thy people of Israel,] give, I pray, holiness. And Jonathan and Saul are taken, and the people escaped.

41 And Saul said to the Lord: O [Lord] God of Israel, [give a sign, by which we may know, what the meaning is, that thou answerest not thy servant to day: If this iniquity be in me, or in my son Jonathan, give a proof: or if this iniquity be in thy people,] give holiness. And Jonathan and Saul were taken, and the people escaped.

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

41 Then Saul said to Yahweh, the God of Israel, “{Why is it that You have not answered Your servant today? If the the iniquity is in me or in Jonathan my son, render Urim, and if this should say it’s in Your people,} render Thumim.” And Jonathan and Saul were selected, so the people escaped.

41 וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵלAW הָבָה תָמִים וַיִּלָּכֵד יוֹנָתָן וְשָׁאוּל וְהָעָם יָצָאוּ:

v.42 Septuagint

Brenton

D-R

KJV

NAW

MT/DSS

42 καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ Βάλετε ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον Ιωναθαν τοῦ υἱοῦ μου· [ὃν ἂν κατακληρώσηται κύριος, ἀποθανέτω. καὶ εἶπεν ὁ λαὸς πρὸς Σαουλ Οὐκ ἔστιν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο. καὶ κατε­κράτησεν Σαουλ τοῦ λαοῦ, καὶ βάλλουσιν ἀνὰ μέσον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον Ιωναθαν τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ], καὶ κατα­κληροῦται Ιωναθαν.

42 And Saul said, Cast lots between me and my son Jonathan: [whomsoever the Lord shall cause to be taken by lot, let him die: and the people said to Saul, This thing is not [to be done]: and Saul prevailed against the people, and they cast lots between him and Jon­athan his son], and Jonathan is taken by lot.

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

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

42 Then Saul said, “Cast [the lot] between me and between my son JonathanAX,” and Jonathan was selected.

42 וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל הַפִּילוּ בֵּינִי וּבֵין יוֹנָתָן בְּנִי וַיִּלָּכֵד יוֹנָתָן:

43 καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ πρὸς Ιωναθαν Ἀπάγγειλόν μοι τί πεποίηκας. καὶ ἀπήγγειλεν αὐτῷ Ιωναθαν καὶ εἶπεν Γευσάμενος ἐγευσάμην ἐν ἄκρῳ τῷ σκήπτρῳ τῷ ἐν τῇ χειρί μου βραχὺ μέλι· ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποθνῄσκω.

43 And Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done: and Jonathan told him, and said, I did indeed taste a little honey, with the end of my staff that was in my hand, [andAY,] lo! I am to die.

43 And 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, which was in my hand, [and] behold I must die.

43 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.

43 So Saul said to Jonathan, “Relate to me what you did!” And Jonathan related it to him and said, “I just tasted a little honey, using the tip of my staff which was in my hand. Look, must I die?”

43 וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל-יוֹנָתָן הַגִּידָה לִּי מֶה עָשִׂיתָה וַיַּגֶּד-לוֹ יוֹנָתָן וַיֹּאמֶר טָעֹם טָעַמְתִּי בִּקְצֵה הַמַּטֶּה אֲשֶׁר- בְּיָדִי מְעַט דְּבַשׁ הִנְנִי אָמוּת:

44 καὶ εἶπεν [αὐτῷ] Σαουλ Τάδε ποιήσαι [μοι] ὁ θεὸς καὶ τάδε προσθείη, ὅτι θανάτῳ ἀποθανῇ σήμερον.

44 And Saul said [to him], God do so [to me], and more also, thou shalt surely die to-day.

44 And Saul said: May God do so and so [to me], and add still more: for dying thou shalt die, O Jonathan.

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

44

44 וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל כֹּה-יַעֲשֶׂהBA אֱלֹהִים וְכֹה יוֹסִףBB כִּי-מוֹת תָּמוּת יוֹנָתָן:

45 καὶ εἶπεν ὁ λαὸς πρὸς Σαουλ Εἰ σήμερον θανατω­θήσεται ὁ ποιήσας τὴν σωτηρίαν τὴν μεγάλην ταύτην ἐν Ισραηλ; X ζῇ κύρ­ιος, εἰ πεσεῖται τῆς τριχὸς τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν· ὅτι ὁ λαὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ἐποίησεν τὴν ἡμέραν ταύτην. καὶ προσηύξατο ὁ λαὸς περὶ Ιωναθαν [ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ], καὶ οὐκ ἀπέθανεν. --

45 And the people said to Saul, Shall he that has wrought this great salvation in Israel be put to death this day? X As the Lord lives, there shall not fall to the ground one of the hair[s] of his head; for the people of God have wrought [successfully] this day. And the people prayed for Jona­than [in that day], and he died not.

45 And the people said to Saul: Shall Jonathan then die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? this must not be: 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 delivered Jonathan, that he should not die.

45 And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbidBC: 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 rescuedBD Jonathan, that he died not.

45

45 וַיֹּאמֶר הָעָם אֶל-שָׁאוּל הֲיוֹנָתָן יָמוּת אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה הַיְשׁוּעָה הַגְּדוֹלָה הַזֹּאת בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל חָלִילָה חַי-יְהוָה אִם-יִפֹּל מִשַּׂעֲרַת רֹאשׁוֹ אַרְצָה כִּי- עִם-אֱלֹהִים עָשָׂה הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה וַיִּפְדּוּ הָעָם אֶת-יוֹנָתָן וְלֹא-מֵת:
ס

46 καὶ ἀνέβη Σαουλ ἀπὸ ὄπισθεν τῶν ἀλλοφύλων, καὶ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι [ἀπ]ῆλθον εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτῶν.

46 And Saul went up from following the Philistines; and the Philistines departed to their place.

46 And Saul went back, and [did not pursue] after the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place[s].

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

46

46 וַיַּעַל שָׁאוּל מֵאַחֲרֵי פְּלִשְׁתִּים וּפְלִשְׁתִּים הָלְכוּ לִמְקוֹמָם:

47 Καὶ Σαουλ X X XBF [κατακληροῦται ἔργον] ἐπὶ Ισραηλ. καὶ ἐπολέμει κύκλῳ X πάντας τοὺς ἐχ­θροὺς αὐτοῦ, εἰς τὸν Μωαβ καὶ εἰς τοὺς υἱοὺς Αμμων καὶ εἰς [τοὺς υἱοὺς] Εδωμ [καὶ εἰς τὸν Βαιθ­εωρ] καὶ εἰς βασιλ­έαX Σουβα καὶ εἰς τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους·X X οὗ ἂν ἐστράφη, ἐσῴζετο.

47 And Saul received the kingdom, [by lot he inherits the office of ruling] over Israel: and he fought against all his enemies round about, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against [the children of] Edom, [and against Baethaeor,] and against the kingX of Suba, and against the Philistines: X whi­thersoever he turned, he was victorious.

47 And Saul having his kingdom [established] over Israel, X fought a­gainst all his enemies round about, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and X Edom, and the kings of Soba, and X the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he overcame.

47 So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexedBG them.

47

47 וְשָׁאוּל לָכַד הַמְּלוּכָה עַל- יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּלָּחֶם סָבִיב בְּכָל- אֹיְבָיו בְּמוֹאָב וּבִבְנֵיBH-עַמּוֹן וּבֶאֱדוֹם וּבְמַלְכֵיBI צוֹבָה וּבַפְּלִשְׁתִּים וּבְכֹל אֲשֶׁר-יִפְנֶה יַרְשִׁיעַBJ:

v.48 Septuagint

Brenton

D-R

KJV

NAW

MT/DSS

48 καὶ ἐποίησεν δύναμιν καὶ ἐπάταξεν τὸν Αμαληκ καὶ ἐξείλατο τὸν Ισ­ραηλ ἐκ χειρὸς τῶν καταπατούντων αὐτόν. --

48 And he wrought valiantly, and smote Amalec, and rescued Israel out of the hand of them that trampled on him.

48 And gathering together an army, he defeated Amalec, and delivered Israel from the hand of them that spoiled them.

48 And he gathered an hostBK, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hand[s] of them that spoiledBL them.

48

48 וַיַּעַשׂ חַיִל וַיַּךְ אֶת-עֲמָלֵק וַיַּצֵּל אֶת- יִשְׂרָאֵל מִיַּד שֹׁסֵהוּ:BM ס

49 καὶ ἦσαν υἱοὶ Σαουλ Ιωναθαν καὶ Ιεσσιου καὶ Μελχισα· καὶ ὀνόματα τῶν δύο θυγατέρων αὐτοῦ, ὄνομα τῇ πρωτοτόκῳ Μεροβ, καὶ ὄνομα τῇ δευτέρᾳ Μελχολ·

49 And the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Jessiu, and Melchisa: and these were the names of his two daughters, the name of the first-born Merob, and the name of the second Melchol.

49 And the sons of Saul, were Jonathan, and Jessui, and Melchisua: and the names of his two daughters, the name of the firstborn was Merob, and the name of the younger Michol.

49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:

49

49 וַיִּהְיוּ בְּנֵי שָׁאוּל יוֹנָתָן וְיִשְׁוִיBN וּמַלְכִּי-שׁוּעַ וְשֵׁם שְׁתֵּי בְנֹתָיו שֵׁם הַבְּכִירָה מֵרַב וְשֵׁם הַקְּטַנָּה מִיכַל:

50 καὶ ὄνομα τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ BOΑχινοομ θυγάτηρ Αχιμαας. καὶ ὄνομα τῷ ἀρχιστρατήγῳ Αβεννηρ υἱὸς Νηρ [υἱοῦ] οἰκείου Σαουλ·

50 And the name of his wife was Achinoom, the daughter of Achimaa: and the name of [hisBP] captain of the host was Abenner, the son of Ner, [son of] a kinsman of Saul.

50 And the name of Saul's wife was Achinoam, the daughter of Achimaas; and the name of the captain of his army was Abner, the son of Ner, the cousin german of Saul.

50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.

50

50 וְשֵׁם אֵשֶׁת שָׁאוּל אֲחִינֹעַם בַּת-אֲחִימָעַץBQ וְשֵׁם שַׂר-צְבָאוֹBR אֲבִינֵר בֶּן-נֵר דּוֹד שָׁאוּל:

51 καὶ Κις πατὴρ Σαουλ καὶ Νηρ πατὴρ Αβεννηρ [υἱὸς ΙαμινBS] υἱοῦ Αβιηλ. --

51 And Kis was the father of Saul, and Ner, the father of Aben[ez]er, [was son of Jamin,] son of Abiel.

51 For Cis was the father of Saul, and Ner, the father of Abner, was son of Abiel.

51 And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.

51

51 וְקִישׁ אֲבִי-שָׁאוּל וְנֵר אֲבִי-אַבְנֵרBT בֶּן-אֲבִיאֵל: ס

52 καὶ ἦν ὁ πόλεμος κραταιὸς ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀλλο­φύλους πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας Σαουλ, καὶ ἰδὼν Σαουλ πάντα ἄνδρα δυνατὸν καὶ πάντα [ἄνδρα] υἱὸν δυνάμεως καὶ συν­ήγαγεν [αὐτοὺς] πρὸς αὐτόν.

52 And the war was vehement against the Philistines all the days of Saul; and when Saul saw any mighty man, and any valiant man, then he took them to himself.

52 And there was a great war against the Philistines all the days of Saul. For whomsoever Saul saw to be a valiant man, and X fit for war, he took him to himself.

52 And there was soreBU war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he tookBV him unto him.

52

52 וַתְּהִי הַמִּלְחָמָה חֲזָקָה עַל-פְּלִשְׁתִּים כֹּל יְמֵי שָׁאוּל וְרָאָה שָׁאוּל כָּל-אִישׁ גִּבּוֹר וְכָל-בֶּן- חַיִל וַיַּאַסְפֵהוּ אֵלָיו: ס


1“He pretendeth a good ende, to be avenged of his enemies, but he useth two evill meanes, the interdiction of foode, and the binding of it with an oath... he did it of his owne head, without any warrant from God... rashly and unaduisedly…” ~Andrew Willett

2Tsumura (NICOT) estimated it at over 20 miles, Beitzel (Moody Atlas) at over 15 miles, Goldman (Soncino) at 15 miles, John Gill at 12 miles, and Keil & Delitzsch (who must have been thinking of a different location) at 3 miles!

3Commentators who also held forth this position include: Ben Gersom, Abarbinel, Goldman, and K&D.

4K&D, and most English versions, however call it the “first,” even though the Hebrew word is not related to the number one, and the LXX translation is a form of αρχομαι “begin,” not ‘εν “first.”

6Josephus, Goldman (Soncino), John Gill, Keil & Delitzsch, and Matthew Henry

8Unless, as Kimchi, Josephus, Kirkpatrick, Willett, Gill, and K&D propose, he is the same as Ishvi, in which case we don’t know who was the mother of Eshbaal/Ishboseth, the son of Saul mentioned in 1 Chron. 8:33

9Syriac and some LXX, supported by the DSS

AMy original chart includes the NASB and NIV, but their copyright restrictions have forced me to remove them from the publicly-available edition of this chart. I have included the ESV in footnotes when it employs a word not already used by the KJV, NASB, or NIV. (NAW is my translation.) When a translation adds words not in the Hebrew text, but does not indicate it has done so by the use of italics (or greyed-out text), I put the added words in [square brackets]. When one version chooses a wording which is different from all the other translations, I underline it. When a version chooses a translation which, in my opinion, either departs too far from the root meaning of the Hebrew word or departs too far from the grammar form of the original text, I use strikeout. And when a version omits a word which is in the original text, I insert an X. (I also place an X at the end of a word if the original word is plural but the English translation is singular.) I occasionally use colors to help the reader see correlations between the various editions and versions when there are more than two different translations of a given word. The only known Dead Sea Scroll containing any part of 1 Sa. 14 is 4Q51Sam­uela, which contains fragments of vs. 24-51 (highlighted in purple), and which has been dated between 50-25 B.C. Where the DSS supports the LXX with omissions or text not in the MT, I have highlighted with yellow the LXX and its translation into English, and where I have accepted that into my NAW translation, I have marked it with {pointed brackets}.

BS. timwrhsomai (“punish for myself”)

CNASB, ESV = “were hard-pressed” cf. Gill & K&D who commented that the pressure was from hunger, contra Jewish Rabbis Rashi & Abarbinel who commented that this was speaking of impressment into military service by Saul. But the oldest manuscripts instead say instead, “Saul was thoughtless with great thoughtlesness.”

DNASB/NIV/ESV = “put/bound/laid under oath” When these versions render v.27 & 28 with the same English phrase, it is a different Hebrew word (בְּהַשְׁבִּיעַ ... הַשְׁבֵּעַ הִשְׁבִּיעַ)

EAlthough the Syriac & Vulgate support the MT here, the more-ancient DSS, LXX, and Old Latin manuscripts support a different reading, followed by the NRSV, ESV, and McCarter. All that is legible of the DSS of this part of the verse is a shin followed by an alpha, which doesn’t match any of the MT for this verse, but could be matched with the LXX text as follows: ושאול שגג שגגה גדול.

FYa’ar means “forest” in Hebrew, but the LXX renders it twice, first as a transliteration then as a translation. I don’t know why Brenton rendered it with an “l” ending instead of “r,” but those two letters are of the same liquid class and are frequently interchanged in languages like Mandarin and Lugandan.

GThe difficult word “land” in the original Greek and Hebrew was explained in the Targums to mean “the people,” thus the ESV used “people,” and the Vulgate added “vulgus.” This was not necessarily wrong, because “people” is used as a synonym in the very next verse.

HSymmachus (S) corrected the LXX to kai efanh reon to meli (“and there appeared a flow of honey”).

IMatthew Henry suggested that the Philistines passing by earlier may have broken up the hives, leaving them to ooze.

JCf. synonyms for “rod/staff” in: A. (thV) bakthriaV. S. ( thV) rabdou

KS = thn aporroian (“the flow” - from v. 26)

LAquila corrected to the qere tradition with efwtisqhsan “were enlightened.” See next note.

MThe Masorite scribes offered an alternative word here: וַתָּאֹרְנָה based on אור "light” rather than on ראה "see.” (Tsumura’s suggestion that both spellings could come from the same root is not convincing to me, although the difference is a mere transposition of two subsequent letters.) “Enlighten” is the explanation of the Targums and was carried on in the Syriac and Vulgate and most English versions. This alternate word shows up as a synonym in the next verse, so it is not wrong. Most commentators interpreted this figuratively in terms of remedying “hunger & fatigue” (Goldman), “nourishment & refreshment” (Gill), “invigoration” (K&D), but Tsumura suggested it could be taken literally if Jonathan had hypoglycemia, which literally dims vision when blood sugar is low.

NGoldman: “spoke up”

OAlthough this part of the verse is missing in the DSS manuscript, there is nevertheless extra space which would support the extra word in the LXX.

PTargum explains “land” as the “people” of the land

QThe DSS הדבש confirms the LXX in making “honey” definite, but there is no difference in meaning.

Rאַף כִּי lit. “moreover that/if,” LXX = “instead that,” S = posw mallon (“how much more”), Theodotion = plhn oti (except that”)

Saph chi, signifieth 'yea/because/not/how much more,' and Lu is utinam, a term of wishing, not, 'if.'” ~Willett
K&D “not to mention how much more”
Tsumora (NICOT): “How much more so”

TThe DSS has the word “the people” immediately following the verb “eating,” followed by an illegible section large enough to contain the rest of the words in the MT in the first half of this verse, including the word “today.” Interestingly, the LXX also places “the people” immediately following the verb “eating,” and after the word “today,” simply transposing the word order, as if the original Hebrew text it followed read “the people today” rather than “today the people,” which would fit perfectly with what we see in the DSS. Since the DSS and LXX predate the MT by almost a thousand years, this word order seems likely to be original, although it does nothing to change the meaning.

UThe DSS does not have the “not,” and it has a different spelling for the next word (with a perfect tense and a masculine subject instead of the MT’s imperfect tense with a feminine subject). The DSS reads רבה המכה with obliterated space on each side that is just enough room for the words “for now” before it and “Philistines” after it. The LXX agrees with the DSS against the MT, so that may be the original. Either way the grammar is not ideal Hebrew. The LXX/DSS variant requires interpreting a perfect verb as an imperfect with comparative force (“would have been greater”), which could explain the insertion of a negative particle in the MT and a change from perfect to imperfect tense in spelling, which required a different word division, pulling the definite article He off of the prefix to makah and using it as a suffix to rabah. This change in the word division would also force macah to no longer be able to be a masculine participle and would force a change of spelling to the verb rabah, changing the he to the visually-similar tav as we see it in the MT -‎ לֹא־רָבְתָה מַכָּה. But as usual, it makes no difference in the meaning of the verse!

V...the negative particle in the last clause, lo, is not to be read here interrogatively: 'had there not beene a greater slaughter?' but, causally, as giving a reason of his wish: 'I would the people had eaten, because there was no greater slaughter to day.'” ~Willett (RV, NAS, Goldman, and Tsumura agree)
However, Rashi, AJV, NIV, ES
V, KJV, Gill, and K&D end the verse with a question mark.

WNeither the DSS nor the LXX spell this verb with the extra vav at the end to indicate a plural subject. The DSS spelled it singular correctly, for the subject is either the singular Jonathan (as Brenton interpreted it), who was the speaker in the previous verse, or the subject is the singular “people,” cited later in this verse.

XThe amount of illegible space in the DSS at this point supports the “toward Aijalon” in the MT, which is missing in the LXX, but actually supports even more words not found in either the MT or the LXX (although the extra space in the DSS could just be the equivalent of a paragraph break).

YCf. Symmachus: etraph tou arpazeinput the spoil on the table/menu”

ZNASB = “rushed greedily,” NIV = “pounced”

AAThe MT has “the people acted/did/made,” but Masoretic editors suggested in the qere וַיַּעַט ("the people darted" – a root otherwise used in 1 Sam. 15:19 & 25:14 and nowhere else in the Bible), and that is the meaning picked up in the LXX, Vulgate, and most English versions. Compare with 15:19 which recaps this event using both verbs in the original MT: וַתַּעַט אֶל־הַשָּׁלָל וַתַּעַשׂ הָרַע "but darted upon the spoil and did evil.”

ABQere is definite הַשָּׁלָל, and so is the LXX, but it’s indefinite in the DSS & MT Kethib. The DSS also uses a different (but similar) preposition "upon" (על), while the LXX (εἰς τὰ σκῦλα) supports the preposition "to" (אל) in the MT. There is, however, no real difference in meaning between "to the spoil" vs. "upon spoil."

ACThe LXX repeats the subject here (“the people”), and there is so much extra space between legible sections of this verse in the DSS, that it too must have had more words than the terse reading of the MT.

ADThe Cairo Geniza hebrew manuscript supports the consonantal text of the MT which came a hundred or more years later, but occasionally has vowel differences, which are a matter of editorial interpretation. Here it spells the word wfjv^yw as though the final vav were a pronoun (and [the people] slaughtered it”) instead of a plural indicator for the verb “they slaughtered”). The Vulgate and the Septuagint, however, interpreted it the way the MT did, yet it wouldn’t make a difference in meaning because almost all the English versions supply “it” to their translation anyway!

AEThe LXX translators mistook this word for a proper noun, which happened every once in a while when they encountered an unusual or unexpected Hebrew word. (This root occurs 38 other times in the OT, but only in Jer. 3:23 in this form.)

AFNASB = “acted treacherously,” NIV =”broken faith”

AGThis is the literal translation of the Hebrew, however, the NIV went with the Vulgate nunc “at once,” and the ESV went with the LXX “here.”

AHContrary to the NIV, it was a plurality of messengers – the same commanded in the next verse to disperse themselves among the people with Saul’s message.

AISyriac also has this omission. Unfortunately, the DSS is too obliterated at this point for comparison.

AJThe DSS spells this word נפצו, which is no different in meaning whether the root is פוץ or נפץ (although the former might connote more reflexivity - “disperse yourselves”). The LXX didn’t go with a reflexive translation, though. The Cairo, however is the same consonantal spelling as the MT, but with different vowels (wxp{).

AKIt’s curious that Saul uses different words for oxen/cattle/calves than the words his messengers used in the previous verse.

ALSaul breaks the pattern of only one man who builds an altar to Yahweh per historical book. Joshua is the only one to build an “altar to the LORD” in the book of Joshua (8:30). Gideon is the only one to build an altar to the LORD in the book of Judges (6:24-26), and Samuel should have been the only one to build an altar to the LORD in 1 Samuel (7:17), but Saul butts in here. David is the only one to build an altar for the LORD in 2 Samuel (24:21-25) and 1 Chronicles (21:18-26). There is, however, no other mention of Saul building any more altars to the LORD, so it seems misleading to translate it his “first.” It appears that the stone he called for was intended to be a sort of altar to the LORD, but it was only a beginning and not a properly-completed action.

AMNASB, ESV = “inquired”

ANCf. synonyms from S = touV megalouV (“great ones”) and Q = to klitoV (“prominent?”)

AOThis word is plural in Hebrew and Greek. It’s translated “leaders” by the NIV & ESV, “princes” by Rashi, “heads” by K&D (following Targums), and tribes” by Abarbinel. It literally means “faces,” but is applied to gemstones and cornerstones of buildings.

AP “Know” is the root meaning of this Hebrew word. Cf. NASB = “investigate,” NIV = “find out”

AQ NASB & ESV = “how,” NIV = “what”

ARNASB = delivers,” NIV = “rescues”

ASSingling out Jonathan doesn’t seem to be an accident; Saul seems to suspect him, already knowing his disrespect and his earlier absence, but a death sentence from which there could be no ransom is irrationally-harsh for receiving a delay of less than a day in an answer to prayer! Sadly, these rages become characteristic of Saul.

ATThis addition, although offering no change to the meaning, is in the Vaticanus, but not in the majority text of the LXX.

AUThis repetition of the imperative “give” is in the Vaticanus, the oldest-known manuscript of the LXX, but not in the majority of LXX manuscripts.

AVNIV = “[the] right [answer]” ESV follows LXX & Vulgate with “ [why have you not answered your servant this day? If this guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O LORD, God of Israel, give Urim. But if this guilt is in your people Israel,] give Thummim." Making for a neat explanation of the use of the Urim & Thummim lot-casting device in the priest’s ephod, but perhaps a little too neat?

AWBoth the LXX and the Vulgate have extra text which is rendered in the NET Bible, the ESV and the 2011 edition of the NIV. Ewald and Thenius and Tsumura supported this extra text in their commentaries, but Keil & Delitzsch argued against it on the basis that 1)לכד & הפיל are nowhere else used of the Urim and Thummim and 2) The Urim & Thummim never gave either/or answers anywhere else, neither of which are decisively compelling. This verse is unavailable in the DSS.

AXThe ancient Septuagint tradition adds a note that the people voiced some reservation about a second cast of the lots, knowing that this would result in a death warrant for either their heroic king or their popular prince, but King Saul persuaded them to do it again.

AYAlthough there is no “and” in the Hebrew or in the majority of LXX texts, it is in the Vulgate and in the oldest-known Greek manuscript, the Vaticanus. It doesn’t make a difference in meaning, though.

AZNIV = “ever so severely”

BAMany Hebrew manuscripts add לי to me” and it’s also in the Vulgate, Syriac, Septuagint, and Targums.

BBJohn Gill: “...evils greater than he chose to mention”
Matthew Henry noted that these curses fell back on Saul’s head when he was later killed in battle.

BCNASB = “Far from it,” NIV = “Never!” NAW = “It would be a disgrace.”

BDESV = “ransomed”

BENASB, NIV, ESV = “pursuing”

BFThe Hebrew phrase “received the kingdom” is missing in the majority LXX edition used here, but it is found in the Vaticanus, which reads ελαχε του βασιλευειν. Since Brenton translated from the Vaticanus, the phrase appears in his English version. The next phrase about receiving the office by inheritance/lot is in both the Vaticanus and Rahlfs’ edition of the LXX, but not in the Hebrew. The DSS becomes legible again after this phrase, so it is not available for comparison.

BGNASB, NIV = “inflicted punishment,” ESV = “routed” The most ancient manuscripts, however read “brought salvation.”

BHThe Cairo Geniza mss omits the preposition “with/against” but the parallel construction implies it at the least.

BIThe MT is plural (“kings”), but the DSS (ובמלך), Syriac, and LXX all read singular.

BJThe DSS is obliterated at this point, but the LXX, Syriac, Old Latin, and Vulgate (followed by Gordon and McCarter) all read as though the Hebrew word were יושיע instead of the Masoretic ירשיע. Luther followed the MT and translated it “inflicted punishment, which K&D, NASB, & NIV followed. Tsumura, however, thought that the original was ישריע (“surge over”) but that, when the lector in the scriptorium said that word, the scribes spelled what they heard wrongly as ירשיע (lit. “did evil to” which was interpreted as “vexed/punished”).

BKNASB, NIV, ESV “and he acted/fought/did valiantly” K&D = “he acquired power” [by beating the Amalekites]

BLNASB, NIV, ESV = “plundered”

BMThe MT spelling of this last word fits the formula of Judges 2:13-16 “They forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them [ביד־שׁסים וישׁסו]; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. Wherever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for calamity, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn to them. And they were greatly distressed. Nevertheless, the LORD raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them.[ויושׁיעום מיד שׁסיהם]” (NKJV) However, the DSS spells this word סיו[], replacing the MT he with a yod (which would merely change the participle from a singular to a plural form), and the LXX and Vulgate (and most English versions) “just happen” to translate that participle as plural even though it is singular in the MT! But there’s more; the LXX reads “trampled” instead of “plundered,” which leads me to believe that the missing letter at the beginning of the word in the DSS was beth, not shin (So the MT שסהו means “they who trample it” and the DSS בסיו means “he who plunders it”) – not greatly different in meaning, but it demonstrates the integrity of the LXX.

BNThe first letter in this name in the DSS is an aleph, but the rest of the name is obscured. There is too much space for the short name in the MT. It appears to support the name Ishba’al found in the Syriac and in some Greek manuscripts. Could it be that scribes changed the name to make Saul look better?

BOThe DSS supports Saul’s name (as the MT has it) rather than a pronoun (as the LXX has it).

BPThe Vaticanus inserts autou here (which comports with the MT), but it is not in Rahlfs’ edition of the Septuagint (which sides with the DSS).

BQSaul also had a concubine, by whom he had 2 children (2Sa. 21:8). Willett regarded this as “worse” than having 2 wives!

BRThe DSS reads “the host” (הצבא) instead of “his host” – not a significant difference in meaning, though.

BSThis name does not occur in the LXX elsewhere in relation to Abner or Abiel. It is only mentioned in Gen. 36:24; 46:10; Exod. 6:15; Num. 26:12, 28; Jos. 17:7; 1 Sam. 14:51; 2 Ki. 25:14; 1 Chr. 2:27; 4:24.

BTAlthough the DSS is obliterated at this point, there does not appear to be enough space between legible section to support the extra name inserted in the LXX.

BUNASB = “severe,” NIV = “bitter,” ESV = “hard”

BVNASB, ESV = “Attached”

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