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.
49. Saul’s sons were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. The names of his two daughters were Merab (the firstborn daughter) and Michal (the younger daughter).
50. The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner, the son of Saul’s uncle Ner.
51. Kish (Saul’s father) and Ner (Abner’s father) were the sons of Abiel.
52. There was intense warfare with the Philistines as long as Saul lived. Whenever any warrior or any skilled fighting man came to Saul’s attention, Saul would enlist him in the army.