37. So Saul inquired of God, “Should I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?” But he did not answer him on that day.
38. Then Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the people, so that we find out what the sin was this day.
39. For as Yahweh lives, who delivers Israel, I swear that even if it is in Jonathan my son, he will certainly die!” But nobody from all the army answered him.
40. Then he said to all Israel, “You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other.” And the army said to Saul, “Do what is good in your eyes.”
41. Then Saul said to Yahweh the God of Israel, “Render a decision perfectly.” Jonathan and Saul were chosen by lot and the people went out.
42. Then Saul said, “Let them cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan,” and Jonathan was chosen.
43. So Saul said, “Tell me what you have done.” So Jonathan told him and said, “I merely tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am, I must die.”
44. Then Saul said, “So may God do to me and more, you will certainly die today, Jonathan!”
45. But the army said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die, who accomplished this great victory in Israel? Far from it! As Yahweh lives, not a hair from his head will fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.” So the army ransomed Jonathan and he did not die.
46. Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their place.