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king of the Hebrews； was informed of this； he went down to the
city Gilgal； and made proclamation over all the country； that
they should try to regain their liberty； and called them to the
war against the Philistines； diminishing their forces； and
despising them as not very considerable； and as not so great but
they might hazard a battle with them。 But when the people about
Saul observed how numerous the Philistines were； they were under
a great consternation； and some of them hid themselves in caves
and in dens under ground； but the greater part fled into the land
beyond Jordan； which belonged to Gad and Reuben。
2。 But Saul sent to the prophet； and called him to consult with
him about the war and the public affairs； so he commanded him to
stay there for him； and to prepare sacrifices； for he would come
to him within seven days； that they might offer sacrifices on the
seventh day； and might then join battle with their enemies。 So he
waited （11） as the prophet sent to him to do； yet did not he；
however； observe the command that was given him； but when he saw
that the prophet tarried longer than he expected； and that he was
deserted by the soldiers； he took the sacrifices and offered
them； and when he heard that Samuel was come； he went out to meet
him。 But the prophet said he had not done well in disobeying the
injunctions he had sent to him； and had not staid till his
coming； which being appointed according to the will of God； he
had prevented him in offering up those prayers and those
sacrifices that he should have made for the multitude； and that
he therefore had performed Divine offices in an ill manner； and
had been rash in performing them。 Hereupon Saul made an apology
for himself； and said that he had waited as many days as Samuel
had appointed him； that he had been so quick in offering his
sacrifices； upon account of the necessity he was in； and because
his soldiers were departing from him； out of their fear of the
enemy's camp at Michmash； the report being gone abroad that they
were coming down upon him of Gilgal。 To which Samuel replied；
〃Nay； certainly； if thou hadst been a righteous man； （12） and
hadst not disobeyed me； nor slighted the commands which God
suggested to me concerning the present state of affairs； and
hadst not acted more hastily than the present circumstances
required； thou wouldst have been permitted to reign a long time；
and thy posterity after thee。〃 So Samuel； being grieved at what
happened； returned home； but Saul came to the city Gibeah； with
his son Jonathan； having only six hundred men with him； and of
these the greater part had no weapons； because of the scarcity of
iron in that country； as well as of those that could make such
weapons； for； as we showed a little before； the Philistines had
not suffered them to have such iron or such workmen。 Now the
Philistines divided their army into three companies； and took as
many roads； and laid waste the country of the Hebrews； while king
Saul and his son Jonathan saw what was done； but were not able to
defend the land； having no more than six hundred men with them。
But as he； and his son； and Abiah the high priest； who was of the
posterity of Eli the high priest； were sitting upon a pretty high
hill； and seeing the land laid waste； they were mightily
disturbed at it。 Now Saul's son agreed with his armor…bearer；
that they would go privately to the enemy's camp； and make a
tumult and a disturbance among them。 And when the armor…bearer
had readily promised to follow him whithersoever he should lead
him； though he should be obliged to die in the attempt； Jonathan
made use of the young man's assistance； and descended from the
hill； and went to their enemies。 Now the enemy's camp was upon a
precipice which had three tops； that ended in a small but sharp
and long extremity； while there was a rock that surrounded them；
like lines made to prevent the attacks of an enemy。 There it so
happened； that the out…guards of the camp were neglected； because
of the security that here arose from the situation of the place；
and because they thought it altogether impossible； not only to
ascend up to the camp on that quarter； but so much as to come
near it。 As soon； therefore； as they came to the camp； Jonathan
encouraged his armor…bearer； and said to him； 〃Let us attack our
enemies； and if； when they see us； they bid us come up to them；
take that for a signal of victory； but if they say nothing； as
not intending to invite us to come up； let us return back again。〃
So when they were approaching to the enemy's camp； just after
break of day； and the Philistines saw them； they said one to
another； 〃The Hebrews come out of their dens and caves：〃 and they
said to Jonathan and to his armor…bearer； 〃Come on； ascend up to
us； that we may inflict a just punishment upon you； for your rash
attempt upon us。〃 So Saul's son accepted of that invitation； as
what signified to him victory； and he immediately came out of the
place whence they were seen by their enemies： so he changed his
place； and came to the rock； which had none to guard it； because
of its own strength； from thence they crept up with great labor
and difficulty； and so far overcame by force the nature of the
place； till they were able to fight with their enemies。 So they
fell upon them as they were asleep； and slew about twenty of
them； and thereby filled them with disorder and surprise；
insomuch that some of them threw away their entire armor and
fled； but the greatest part； not knowing one another； because
they were of different nations； suspected one another to be
enemies； （for they did not imagine there were only two of the
Hebrews that came up；） and so they fought one against another；
and some of them died in the battle； and some； as they were
flying away； were thrown down from the rock headlong。
3。 Now Saul's watchmen told the king that the camp of the
Philistines was in confusion； then he inquired whether any body
was gone away from the army； and when he heard that his son； and
with him his armor…bearer； were absent； he bade the high priest
take the garments of his high priesthood； and prophesy to him
what success they should have； who said that they should get the
victory； and prevail against their enemies。 So he went out after
the Philistines； and set upon them as they were slaying one
another。 Those also who had fled to dens and caves； upon hearing
that Saul was gaining a victory； came running to him。 When；
therefore； the number of the Hebrews that came to Saul amounted
to about ten thousand； he pursued the enemy； who were scattered
all over the country； but then he fell into an action； which was
a very unhappy one； and liable to be very much blamed； for；
whether out of ignorance or whether out of joy for a victory
gained so strangely； （for it frequently happens that persons so
fortunate are not then able to use their reason consistently；） as
he was desirous to avenge himself； and to exact a due punishment
of the Philistines； he denounced a curse （13） upon the Hebrews：
That if any one put a stop to his slaughter of the enemy； and
fell on eating； and left off the slaughter or the pursuit before
the night came on； and obliged them so to do； he should be
accursed。 Now after Saul had denounced this curse； since they
were now in a wood belonging to the tribe of Ephraim； which was
thick and full of bees； Saul's son； who did not hear his father
denounce that curse； nor hear of the approbation the multitude
gave to it； broke off a piece of a honey…comb； and ate part of
it。 But； in the mean time； he was informed with what a curse his
father had forbidden them to taste any thing before sun…setting：
so he left off eating； and said his father had not done well in
this prohibition； because； had they taken some food； they had
pursued the enemy with greater rigor and alacrity； and had both
taken and slain many more of their enemies。
4。 When； therefore； they had slain many ten thousands of the
Philistines； they fell upon spoiling the camp of the Philistines；
but not till late in the evening。 They also took a great deal of
prey and cattle； and killed them； and ate them with their blood。
This was told to the king by the scribes； that the multitude were
sinning against God as they sacrificed； and were eating before
the blood was well washed away； and the flesh was made clean。
Then did Saul give order that a great stone should be rolled into
the midst of them； and he made proclamation that they should kill
their sacrifices upon it； and not feed upon the flesh with the
blood； for that was not acceptable to God。 And when all the
people did as the king commanded them； Saul erected an altar
there； and offered burnt…offerings upon it to God （14） This was
the first altar that Saul built。
5。 So when Saul was desirous of leading his men to the enemy's
camp before it was day； in order to plunder it； and when the
soldiers were not unwilling to follow him； but indeed showed
great readiness to do as he commanded them； the king called
Ahitub the high priest； and enjoined him to know of God whether
he would grant them the favor and permission to go against the
enemy's camp； in order to destroy those that were in