Liber I Samuelis, 14

1. et accidit quadam die ut diceret Jonathan filius Saul ad adulescentem armigerum suum veni et transeamus ad stationem Philisthim quæ est trans locum illum patri autem suo hoc ipsum non indicavit

1. Now it came to pass one day that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man that bore his armour: Come, and let us go over to the garrison of the Philistines, which is on the other side of yonder place. But he told not this to his father.

2. porro Saul morabatur in extrema parte Gabaa sub malogranato quæ erat in Magron et erat populus cum eo quasi sescentorum virorum

2. And Saul abode in the uttermost part of Gabaa under the pomegranate tree, which was in Magron: and the people with him were about six hundred men.

3. et Ahias filius Achitob fratris Ichabod filii Finees qui ortus fuerat ex Heli sacerdote Domini in Silo portabat ephod sed et populus ignorabat quod isset Jonathan

3. And Achias the son of Achitob brother to Ichabod the son of Phinees, the son of Heli the priest of the Lord in Silo, wore the ephod. And the people knew not whither Jonathan was gone.

4. erant autem inter ascensus per quos nitebatur Jonathan transire ad stationem Philisthinorum eminentes petræ ex utraque parte et quasi in modum dentium scopuli hinc inde prærupti nomen uni Boses et nomen alteri Sene

4. Now there were between the ascents, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the garrison of the Philistines, rocks standing up on both sides, and steep cliffs like teeth on the one side, and on the other, the name of the one was Boses, and the name of the other was Sene:

5. unus scopulus prominens ad aquilonem ex adverso Machmas et alter a meridie contra Gabaa

5. One rock stood out towards the north over against Machmas, and the other to the south over against Gabaa.

6. dixit autem Jonathan ad adulescentem armigerum suum veni transeamus ad stationem incircumcisorum horum si forte faciat Dominus pro nobis quia non est Domino difficile salvare vel in multitudine vel in paucis

6. And Jonathan said to the young man that bore his armour: Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised, it may be the Lord will do for us, because it is easy for the Lord to save either by many, or by few.

7. dixitque ei armiger suus fac omnia quæ placent animo tuo perge quo cupis ero tecum ubicumque volueris

7. And his armourbearer said to him: Do all that pleaseth thy mind: go whither thou wilt, and I will be with thee wheresoever thou hast a mind.

8. et ait Jonathan ecce nos transimus ad viros istos cumque apparuerimus eis

8. And Jonathan said: Behold we will go over to these men. And when we shall be seen by them,

9. si taliter locuti fuerint ad nos manete donec veniamus ad vos stemus in loco nostro nec ascendamus ad eos

9. If they shall speak thus to us: Stay till we come to you: let us stand still in our place, and not go up to them.

10. si autem dixerint ascendite ad nos ascendamus quia tradidit eos Dominus in manibus nostris hoc erit nobis signum

10. But if they shall say: Come up to us: let us go up, because the Lord hath delivered them into our hands, this shall be a sign unto us.

11. apparuit igitur uterque stationi Philisthinorum dixeruntque Philisthim en Hebræi egrediuntur de cavernis in quibus absconditi fuerant

11. So both of them discovered themselves to the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said: Behold the Hebrews come forth out of the holes wherein they were hid.

12. et locuti sunt viri de statione ad Jonathan et ad armigerum ejus dixeruntque ascendite ad nos et ostendimus vobis rem et ait Jonathan ad armigerum suum ascendamus sequere me tradidit enim eos Dominus in manu Israël

12. And the men of the garrison spoke to Jonathan, and to his armourbearer, and said: Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said to his armourbearer: Let us go up, follow me: for the Lord hath delivered them into the hands of I srael.

13. ascendit autem Jonathan reptans manibus et pedibus et armiger ejus post eum itaque alii cadebant ante Jonathan alios armiger ejus interficiebat sequens eum

13. And Jonathan went up creeping on his hands and feet, and his armourbearer after him. And some fell before Jonathan, others his armourbearer slew as he followed him.

14. et facta est plaga prima quam percussit Jonathan et armiger ejus quasi viginti virorum in media parte jugeri quam par boum in die arare consuevit

14. And the first slaughter which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was of about twenty men, within half an acre of land, which a yoke of oxen is wont to plough in a day.

15. et factum est miraculum in castris per agros sed et omnis populus stationis eorum qui jerant ad prædandum obstipuit et conturbata est terra et accidit quasi miraculum a Deo

15. And there was a miracle in the camp, through the fields: yea and all the people of their garrison, who had gone out to plunder, were amazed, and the earth trembled: and it happened as a miracle from God.

16. et respexerunt speculatores Saul qui erant in Gabaa Beniamin et ecce multitudo prostrata et huc illucque diffugiens

16. And the watchmen of Saul, who were in Gabaa of Benjamin looked, and behold a multitude overthrown, and fleeing this way and that.

17. et ait Saul populo qui erat cum eo requirite et videte quis abierit ex nobis cumque requisissent reppertum est non adesse Jonathan et armigerum ejus

17. And Saul said to the people that were with him: Look, and see who is gone from us. And when they had sought, it was found that Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.

18. et ait Saul ad Ahiam adplica arcam Dei erat enim ibi arca Dei in die illa cum filiis Israël

18. And Saul said to Achias: Bring the ark of the Lord. (For the ark of God was there that day with the children of Israel.)

19. cumque loqueretur Saul ad sacerdotem tumultus magnus exortus est in castris Philisthinorum crescebatque paulatim et clarius reboabat et ait Saul ad sacerdotem contrahe manum tuam

19. And while Saul spoke to the priest, there arose a great uproar in the camp of the Philistines: and it increased by degrees, and was heard more clearly. And Saul said to the priest: Draw in thy hand.

20. conclamavit ergo Saul et omnis populus qui erat cum eo et venerunt usque ad locum certaminis et ecce versus fuerat gladius uniuscujusque ad proximum suum et cædes magna nimis

20. Then Saul and all the people that were with him, shouted together, and they came to the place of the fight: and behold every man's sword was turned upon his neighbour, and there was a very great slaughter.

21. sed et Hebræi qui fuerant cum Philisthim heri et nudius tertius ascenderantque cum eis in castris reversi sunt ut essent cum Israhele qui erant cum Saul et Jonathan

21. Moreover the Hebrews that had been with the Philistines yesterday and the day before, and went up with them into the camp, returned to be with the Israelites, who were with Saul and Jonathan.

22. omnes quoque Israhelitæ qui se absconderant in monte Ephraim audientes quod fugissent Philisthim sociaverunt se cum suis in prœlio

22. And all the Israelites that had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, hearing that the Philistines fled, joined themselves with their countrymen in the fight. And there were with Saul about ten thousand men.

23. et salvavit Dominus in die illa Israël pugna autem pervenit usque Bethaven

23. And the Lord saved Israel that day. And the fight went on as far as Bethaven.

24. et vir Israël sociatus sibi est in die illa adiuravit autem Saul populum dicens maledictus vir qui comederit panem usque ad vesperam donec ulciscar de inimicis meis et non manducavit universus populus panem

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:

25. omneque terræ vulgus venit in saltum in quo erat mel super faciem agri

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

26. ingressus est itaque populus saltum et apparuit fluens mel nullusque adplicuit manum ad os suum timebat enim populus juramentum

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.

27. porro Jonathan non audierat cum adiuraret pater ejus populum extenditque summitatem virgæ quam habebat in manu et intinxit in favo mellis et convertit manum suam ad os suum et inluminati sunt oculi ejus

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.

28. respondensque unus de populo ait jurejurando constrinxit pater tuus populum dicens maledictus qui comederit panem hodie defecerat autem populus

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.)

29. dixitque Jonathan turbavit pater meus terram vidistis ipsi quia inluminati sunt oculi mei eo quod gustaverim paululum de melle isto

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:

30. quanto magis si comedisset populus de præda inimicorum suorum quam repperit nonne major facta fuisset plaga in Philisthim

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

31. percusserunt ergo in die illa Philistheos a Machmis usque in Ahialon defatigatus est autem populus nimis

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

32. et versus ad prædam tulit oves et boves et vitulos et mactaverunt in terra comeditque populus cum sanguine

32. And falling upon the spoils, they took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people ate them with the blood.

33. nuntiaverunt autem Saul dicentes quod populus peccasset Domino comedens cum sanguine qui ait prævaricati estis volvite ad me jam nunc saxum grande

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.

34. et dixit Saul dispergimini in vulgus et dicite eis ut adducat ad me unusquisque bovem suum et arietem et occidite super istud et vescimini et non peccabitis Domino comedentes cum sanguine adduxit itaque omnis populus unusquisque bovem in manu sua usque ad noctem et occiderunt ibi

34. And Saul said: Disperse yourselves among the people, and tell them to bring me every man his ox and 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 till the night: and slew them there.

35. ædificavit autem Saul altare Domini tuncque primum cœpit ædificare altare Domini

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

36. et dixit Saul inruamus super Philisthim nocte et vastemus eos usque dum inlucescat mane nec relinquamus de eis virum dixitque populus omne quod bonum videtur in oculis tuis fac et ait sacerdos accedamus huc ad Deum

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.

37. et consuluit Saul Deum num persequar Philisthim si trades eos in manu Israël et non respondit ei in die illa

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

38. dixitque Saul adplicate huc universos angulos populi et scitote et videte per quem acciderit peccatum hoc hodie

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

39. vivit Dominus salvator Israël quia si per Jonathan filium meum factum est absque retractatione morietur ad quod nullus contradixit ei de omni populo

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 the people gainsaid him.

40. et ait ad universum Israël separamini vos in partem unam et ego cum Jonathan filio meo ero in parte una respondit populus ad Saul quod bonum videtur in oculis tuis fac

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.

41. et dixit Saul ad Dominum Deum Israël da indicium et deprehensus est Jonathan et Saul populus autem exivit

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.

42. et ait Saul mittite sortem inter me et inter Jonathan filium meum et captus est Jonathan

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

43. dixit autem Saul ad Jonathan indica mihi quid feceris et indicavit ei Jonathan et ait gustans gustavi in summitate virgæ quæ erat in manu mea paululum mellis et ecce ego morior

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.

44. et ait Saul hæc faciat mihi Deus et hæc addat quia morte morieris Jonathan

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

45. dixitque populus ad Saul ergone Jonathan morietur qui fecit salutem hanc magnam in Israël hoc nefas est vivit Dominus si ceciderit capillus de capite ejus in terram quia cum Deo operatus est hodie liberavit ergo populus Jonathan ut non moreretur

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.

46. recessitque Saul nec persecutus est Philisthim porro Philisthim abierunt in loca sua

46. And Saul went back, and did not pursue after the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own places.

47. at Saul confirmato regno super Israël pugnabat per circuitum adversum omnes inimicos ejus contra Moab et filios Ammon et Edom et reges Suba et Philistheos et quocumque se verterat superabat

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

48. congregatoque exercitu percussit Amalech et eruit Israël de manu vastatorum ejus

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

49. fuerunt autem filii Saul Jonathan et Jesui et Melchisua nomina duarum filiarum ejus nomen primogenitæ Merob et nomen minoris Michol

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.

50. et nomen uxoris Saul Ahinœm filia Ahimaas et nomina principum militiæ ejus Abner filius Ner patruelis 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.

51. Cis fuerat pater Saul et Ner pater Abner filius Abihel

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

52. erat autem bellum potens adversum Philistheos omnibus diebus Saul nam quemcumque viderat Saul virum fortem et aptum ad prœlium sociabat eum sibi

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 fit for war, he took him to himself.