Liber I Samuelis, 14

1. Et accidit quadam die, ut diceret Ionathan filius Saul ad adulescentem armigerum suum: “Veni, et transeamus ad stationem Philisthim, quae est ibi ex adverso”. Patri autem suo hoc ipsum non indicavit.

1. One day Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on yonder side." But he did not tell his father.

2. Porro Saul morabatur in extrema parte Gabaa sub malogranato, quae erat in Magron; et erat populus cum eo quasi sescentorum virorum.

2. Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gib'e-ah under the pomegranate tree which is at Migron; the people who were with him were about six hundred men,

3. Et Ahias filius Achitob fratris Ichabod filii Phinees, qui ortus fuerat ex Heli sacerdote Domini in Silo, portabat ephod. Sed et populus ignorabat quod isset Ionathan.

3. and Ahi'jah the son of Ahi'tub, Ich'abod's brother, son of Phin'ehas, son of Eli, the priest of the LORD in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.

4. Erant autem inter ascensus, per quos nitebatur Ionathan transire ad stationem Philisthinorum, dens rupis hinc ex una parte et dens rupis illinc ex altera parte: nomen uni Boses et nomen alteri Sene;

4. In the pass, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistine garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side and a rocky crag on the other side; the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.

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

5. The one crag rose on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.

6. Dixit autem Ionathan 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 who bore his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us; for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few."

7. Dixitque ei armiger suus: “Fac omnia, quae placent animo tuo. Perge quo cupis; ego ero tecum ubicumque volueris”.

7. And his armor-bearer said to him, "Do all that your mind inclines to; behold, I am with you, as is your mind so is mine."

8. Et ait Ionathan: “Ecce nos transimus ad viros istos. Cumque apparuerimus eis,

8. Then said Jonathan, "Behold, we will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them.

9. si taliter locuti fuerint ad nos: “Manete, donec veniamus ad vos”, stemus in loco nostro nec ascendamus ad eos.

9. If they say to us, `Wait until we come to you,' then we will stand still in our place, and we will 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 say, `Come up to us,' then we will go up; for the LORD has given them into our hand. And this shall be the sign to us."

11. Apparuit igitur uterque stationi Philisthinorum. Dixeruntque Philisthim: “En Hebraei egrediuntur de cavernis, in quibus absconditi fuerant”.

11. So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines; and the Philistines said, "Look, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hid themselves."

12. Et locuti sunt viri de statione ad Ionathan et ad armigerum eius dixeruntque: “Ascendite ad nos, et ostendimus vobis rem”. Et ait Ionathan ad armigerum suum: “Ascendamus; sequere me, tradidit enim eos Dominus in manu Israel”.

12. And the men of the garrison hailed Jonathan and his armor-bearer, and said, "Come up to us, and we will show you a thing." And Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, "Come up after me; for the LORD has given them into the hand of Israel."

13. Ascendit autem Ionathan reptans manibus et pedibus et armiger eius post eum; Philisthim cadebant ante Ionathan, et eos armiger eius interficiebat sequens eum.

13. Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor-bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer killed them after him;

14. Et facta est plaga prima, qua percussit Ionathan et armiger eius quasi viginti viros in media fere parte iugeri.

14. and that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer made, was of about twenty men within as it were half a furrow's length in an acre of land.

15. Et factus est terror in castris per agros; sed et omnis populus stationis eorum et, qui ierant ad praedandum, obstupuerunt; et conturbata est terra, et factus est terror a Deo.

15. And there was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison and even the raiders trembled; the earth quaked; and it became a very great panic.

16. Et respexerunt speculatores Saul, qui erant in Gabaa Beniamin; et ecce multitudo fluctuabat huc illucque diffugiens.

16. And the watchmen of Saul in Gib'e-ah of Benjamin looked; and behold, the multitude was surging hither and thither.

17. Et ait Saul populo, qui erat cum eo: “Requirite et videte quis abierit ex nobis”. Cumque requisissent, repertum est non adesse Ionathan et armigerum eius.

17. Then Saul said to the people who were with him, "Number and see who has gone from us." And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there.

18. Et ait Saul ad Ahiam: “Applica ephod”. Ipse enim portabat ephod in die illa in conspectu filiorum Israel.

18. And Saul said to Ahi'jah, "Bring hither the ark of God." For the ark of God went at that time with the people of Israel.

19. Cumque loqueretur Saul ad sacerdotem, tumultus maior fiebat in castris Philisthinorum, crescebatque paulatim et clarius reboabat. Et ait Saul ad sacerdotem: “Contrahe manum tuam”.

19. And while Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the camp of the Philistines increased more and more; and Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand."

20. Congregati ergo sunt Saul et omnis populus, qui erat cum eo, et venerunt usque ad locum certaminis. Et ecce versus fuerat gladius uniuscuiusque ad proximum suum: perturbatio magna nimis.

20. Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into the battle; and behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion.

21. Sed et Hebraei, qui fuerant cum Philisthim heri et nudiustertius ascenderantque cum eis in castris, reversi sunt et ipsi, ut essent cum Israel, qui erant cum Saul et Ionathan.

21. Now the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines before that time and who had gone up with them into the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.

22. Omnes quoque Israelitae, qui se absconderant in monte Ephraim, audientes quod fugissent Philisthim, sociaverunt se et ipsi cum suis in proelio.

22. Likewise, when all the men of Israel who had hid themselves in the hill country of E'phraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle.

23. Et salvavit Dominus in die illa Israel; pugna autem pervenit ultra Bethaven.

23. So the LORD delivered Israel that day; and the battle passed beyond Beth-a'ven.

24. Et viri Israel comprimebant se 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 distressed that day; for Saul laid an oath on the people, saying, "Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies." So none of the people tasted food.

25. Omneque terrae vulgus venit in saltum, in quo erat mel super faciem agri.

25. And all the people came into the forest; and there was honey on the ground.

26. Ingressus est itaque populus saltum, et apparuit fluens mel. Nullusque applicuit manum ad os suum; timebat enim populus iuramentum.

26. And when the people entered the forest, behold, the honey was dropping, but no man put his hand to his mouth; for the people feared the oath.

27. Porro Ionathan non audierat, cum adiuraret pater eius populum; extenditque summitatem virgae, quam habebat in manu, et intinxit in favo mellis et convertit manum suam ad os suum, et illuminati sunt oculi eius.

27. But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath; so he put forth the tip of the staff that was in his hand, and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes became bright.

28. Respondensque unus de populo ait: “Iureiurando constrinxit pater tuus populum dicens: “Maledictus, qui comederit panem hodie!”. Defecit autem populus”.

28. Then one of the people said, "Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, `Cursed be the man who eats food this day.'" And the people were faint.

29. Dixitque Ionathan: “Turbavit pater meus terram! Videte quia illuminati sunt oculi mei, eo quod gustaverim paululum de melle isto;

29. Then Jonathan said, "My father has troubled the land; see how my eyes have become bright, because I tasted a little of this honey.

30. quanto magis si comedisset hodie populus de praeda inimicorum suorum, quam repperit? Nonne nunc maior facta fuisset plaga in Philisthim?”.

30. How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found; for now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great."

31. Percusserunt ergo in die illa Philisthaeos a Machmis usque in Aialon; defatigatus est autem populus nimis.

31. They struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash to Ai'jalon. And the people were very faint;

32. Et versus ad praedam tulit oves et boves et vitulos; et mactaverunt in terra, comeditque populus cum sanguine.

32. the people flew upon the spoil, and 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: “Ecce populus peccat Domino comedens cum sanguine”. Qui ait: “Praevaricati estis! Volvite ad me huc saxum grande”.

33. Then they told Saul, "Behold, the people are sinning against the LORD, by eating with the blood." And he said, "You have dealt treacherously; roll a great stone to me here."

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 quod erat in manu sua illa nocte, et occiderunt ibi.

34. And Saul said, "Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them, `Let every man bring his ox or his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and do not sin against the LORD by eating with the blood.'" So every one of the people brought his ox with him that night, and slew them there.

35. Aedificavit autem Saul altare Domino. Tuncque primum coepit aedificare altare Domino.

35. And Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first altar that he built to the LORD.

36. Et dixit Saul: “Irruamus super Philisthim nocte et vastemus eos, usquedum illucescat mane; nec relinquamus de eis virum”. Dixitque populus: “Omne, quod bonum videtur in oculis tuis, fac”. Et ait sacerdos: “Accedamus huc ad Deum”.

36. Then Saul said, "Let us go down after the Philistines by night and despoil them until the morning light; let us not leave a man of them." And they said, "Do whatever seems good to you." But the priest said, "Let us draw near hither to God."

37. Et consuluit Saul Deum: “Num persequar Philisthim? Numquid trades eos in manu Israel?”. Et non respondit ei in die illa.

37. And Saul inquired of God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines? Wilt thou give them into the hand of Israel?" But he did not answer him that day.

38. Dixitque Saul: “Accedite huc, universi duces populi, et scitote et videte per quem acciderit peccatum hoc hodie.

38. And Saul said, "Come hither, all you leaders of the people; and know and see how this sin has arisen today.

39. Vivit Dominus, salvator Israel, quia si per Ionathan filium meum factum est, absque retractatione morietur”. Ad quod nullus contradixit ei de omni populo.

39. For as the LORD lives who saves 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.

40. Et ait ad universum Israel: “Separamini vos in partem unam, et ego cum Ionathan filio meo ero in parte altera”. Respondit populus ad Saul: “Quod bonum videtur in oculis tuis, fac”.

40. Then he said to all Israel, "You shall be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side." And the people said to Saul, "Do what seems good to you."

41. Et dixit Saul ad Dominum, Deum Israel: “Quid est quod non responderis servo tuo hodie? Si est in me aut in Ionathan filio meo iniquitas ista, Domine, Deus Israel, da Urim; sed, si est haec iniquitas in populo tuo Israel, da Tummim”. Et deprehensus est Ionathan et Saul; populus autem salvus evasit.

41. Therefore Saul said, "O LORD God of Israel, why hast thou not answered thy 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 thy people Israel, give Thummim." And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped.

42. Et ait Saul: “Mittite sortem inter me et inter Ionathan filium meum”. Et captus est Ionathan.

42. Then Saul said, "Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan." And Jonathan was taken.

43. Dixit autem Saul ad Ionathan: “Indica mihi quid feceris”. Et indicavit ei Ionathan et ait: “Gustans gustavi in summitate virgae, quae erat in manu mea, paululum mellis et ecce ego morior”.

43. Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." And Jonathan told him, "I tasted a little honey with the tip of the staff that was in my hand; here I am, I will die."

44. Et ait Saul: “Haec faciat mihi Deus et haec addat, nisi morte morieris, Ionathan”.

44. And Saul said, "God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan."

45. Dixitque populus ad Saul: “Ergone Ionathan morietur, qui fecit salutem hanc magnam in Israel? Hoc nefas est; vivit Dominus, quia non cadet capillus de capite eius in terram, quia cum Deo operatus est hodie”. Liberavit ergo populus Ionathan, ut non moreretur.

45. Then the people said to Saul, "Shall Jonathan die, who has wrought this great victory in Israel? Far from it! As the LORD lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he has wrought with God this day." So the people ransomed Jonathan, that he did not die.

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

46. Then Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines; and the Philistines went to their own place.

47. At Saul, confirmato regno super Israel, pugnabat per circuitum adversum omnes inimicos eius: contra Moab et filios Ammon et Edom et reges Soba et Philisthaeos; et, quocumque se verterat, superabat.

47. When Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the Ammonites, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines; wherever he turned he put them to the worse.

48. Fortiter egit et percussit Amalec et eruit Israel de manu vastatorum eius.

48. And he did valiantly, and smote the Amal'ekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them.

49. Fuerunt autem filii Saul Ionathan et Isui et Melchisua. Nomina duarum filiarum eius: nomen primogenitae Merob et nomen minoris Michol.

49. Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Mal'chishu'a; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the first-born was Merab, and the name of the younger Michal;

50. Et nomen uxoris Saul Achinoam filia Achimaas, et nomen principis militiae eius Abner filius Ner patrui Saul.

50. and the name of Saul's wife was Ahin'o-am the daughter of Ahim'a-az. And the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul's uncle;

51. Porro Cis pater Saul et Ner pater Abner fuerunt filii Abiel.

51. Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abi'el.

52. Erat autem bellum potens adversum Philisthaeos omnibus diebus Saul; nam, quemcumque viderat Saul virum fortem et aptum ad proelium, sociabat eum sibi.

52. There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul; and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he attached him to himself.