24 Now the Israeli warriors were getting exhausted that day, but Sha’ul had made the them promise, “We need to avenge our enemies. Anyone who eats food before the evening is cursed.” 25 But when they reached the forest, there was honeycomb on the ground. 26 Although the warriors entered the forest and saw the honey, none of them tasted any because they were afraid of the curse. 27 But Yonatan hadn’t heard his father’s oath, so he dipped his staff into the honeycomb and ate some honey and felt rejuvenated. 28 However, someone noticed it and mentioned, “Your father made the people promise, ‘Anyone who eats food today will be cursed.’ So the people are faint.”

29 “My father’s caused trouble for us,” Yonatan responded. “See how much better I feel now because I tasted a little bit of this honey. 30 Actually, if the troops had eaten what they’d found from the plunder of their enemies today, how much better it would have been because we might have had an even more decisive victory over the Philistines.”

31 That day they killed Philistines from Mikmas to Ayyalon, but the fighters were totally exhausted. 32 They rushed greedily at the plunder, grabbing sheep, cattle, and calves which they slaughtered right there and ate with the blood still in them. 33 Then King Sha’ul was told, “Look, the people are sinning against Yahweh by eating meat with the blood still in it.”

“You’ve all acted treacherously,” he responded, “Now, roll a big stone over to me.”[ref] 34 Then he said, “Go out among the warriors and tell them to bring their animals over here to slaughter and to eat, so they don’t sin against Yahweh by eating meat with the blood still in it.” So the people brought their animals over and slaughtered them there. 35 Then Sha’ul built an altar to Yahweh—it was the first one he built.

36 Then Sha’ul said, “Let’s go after the Philistines tonight and plunder them until the light of morning. Let’s not leave any of them alive.”

“Do what you feel is right,” they responded.

But the priest said, “Let’s ask God here first.”

37 So Sha’ul asked God, “Should we go after the Philistines? Will you give Israel victory over them?” But Yahweh didn’t answer him that day. 38 Then Sha’ul commanded, “All you leaders of the warriors. Gather here so we can find out what sin was committed today. 39 As Yahweh who saves Israel lives, even if it’s my own son Yonatan, whoever sinned today will certainly die.” But the people didn’t volunteer any information. 40 “You all can be on one side, and my son Jonathan and I will be on the other side,” Sha’ul said.

“Do whatever feels right to you,” the people replied.

41 Then Sha’ul asked Israel’s God Yahweh, “Show us the truth.” And Sha’ul and Yonatan were selected—not the people.[ref] 42 Then Sha’ul asked again, “Choose between me and my son Yonatan.” And Yonatan was selected. 43 Sha’ul demanded from Yonatan, “Tell me what you’ve done.”

“Actually,” Yonatan answered, “I did taste some honey from the end of my staff, so take me—I’m ready to die.”

44 “May God do to me whatever he wants,” Sha’ul said. “because you will certainly die, Yonatan.”

45 But the people stood up to Sha’ul, “Should Yonatan die? Wasn’t it him who saved Israel today? We won’t stand for it. As Yahweh lives, not even a hair on his head will be touched because he worked with God today.” And so the people rescued Yonatan and he wasn’t executed.

46 Then Sha’ul stopped chasing the Philistines and went home, and the Philistines also returned to their place.