42. Then Saul said, “Decide between my son Jonathan and me.” And Jonathan was indicated.
43. Then Saul asked Jonathan, “What have you done?”Jonathan answered, “I ate a little honey with the stick I was holding. Here I am — I am ready to die.”
44. Saul said to him, “May God strike me dead if you are not put to death!”
45. But the people said to Saul, “Will Jonathan, who won this great victory for Israel, be put to death? No! We promise by the living Lord that he will not lose even a hair from his head. What he did today was done with God's help.” So the people saved Jonathan from being put to death.
46. After that, Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and they went back to their own territory.
47. After Saul became king of Israel, he fought against all his enemies everywhere: the people of Moab, of Ammon, and of Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he fought he was victorious.
48. He fought heroically and defeated even the people of Amalek. He saved the Israelites from all attacks.
49. Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. His elder daughter was named Merab, and the younger one Michal.
50. His wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz; his army commander was his cousin Abner, the son of his uncle Ner.
51. Saul's father Kish and Abner's father Ner were sons of Abiel.
52. As long as he lived, Saul had to fight fiercely against the Philistines. So whenever he found a man who was strong or brave, he would enlist him in his army.