38. So Saul ordered all the leaders of the troops, “Come here! Find out what sin was committed today.
39. I solemnly swear, as the Lord and Savior of Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan ⌊who did it⌋, he must die.” But not one of the soldiers replied.
40. Saul told all Israel, “You stand on one side, and my son Jonathan and I will stand on the other side.”“Do whatever you think is best,” the troops responded to Saul.
41. Then Saul said to the Lord, “O God of Israel, why didn’t you answer me today? If this sin is mine or my son Jonathan’s, Lord God of Israel, ⌊let the priest⌋ draw Urim. But if it is in your people Israel, ⌊let him⌋ draw Thummim.” Jonathan and Saul were chosen, and the people were freed ⌊from guilt⌋.
42. “Choose between me and my son Jonathan,” Saul said. Then Jonathan was chosen.
43. “Tell me,” Saul asked Jonathan. “What did you do?”So Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey on the tip of the staff I had in my hand. And for that I am to die?”
44. Saul said, “May God do worse things to me than are in this curse if you do not die, Jonathan!”
45. The troops asked Saul, “Should Jonathan die after he has won this great victory in Israel? That would be unthinkable! We solemnly swear, as the Lord lives, not a single hair of his head will fall to the ground, because he has done this with God’s help today.” So the troops rescued Jonathan from death.
46. Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines. So the Philistines returned to their own land.
47. When Saul had taken over the kingdom of Israel, he fought against his enemies on every side—against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he was victorious.
48. He acted forcefully and defeated Amalek. He rescued Israel from the enemies who looted their possessions.