12. The men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armor bearer, and said, “Come up to us, and we will teach you something.”So Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come up after me. For the Lord has delivered them into the hand of Israel.”
13. Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet with his armor bearer behind him. And they fell before Jonathan. And his armor bearer was dealing death blows after him.
14. That first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armor bearer made, was about twenty men within about a half-acre field.
15. There was trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and the raiders also trembled, and the ground quaked. It was the fear of God.
16. The watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away, and they went even here and there.
17. Then Saul said to the people that were with him, “Number now, and see who has gone from us.” And when they had numbered, Jonathan nor his armor bearer were there.
18. Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring here the ark of God.” For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.
19. It came to pass, while Saul talked to the priest, that the noise which was in the camp of the Philistines went on and increased. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”
20. Saul and all the people who were with him assembled, and they went to the battle. And every man’s sword was against his fellow, so that there was very great confusion.
21. Even the Hebrews who were with the Philistines the days before, who went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the children of Israel that were with Saul and Jonathan.
22. Also all of Israel’s fighting men, who had hidden themselves in mountains of Ephraim, heard that the Philistines fled, and even they followed hard after them in the battle.
23. So the Lord saved Israel that day, and the battle passed beyond Beth Aven.
24. Now Israel’s fighting men were distressed that day. For Saul had placed the people under a curse, saying, “Cursed is the man that eats any food before it is evening, and I have been avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted any food.
25. All the people of the land came to the forest, and there was honey on the ground.
26. When the people came into the forest there was flowing honey. But no man put his hand to his mouth, because the people feared the oath.
27. But Jonathan had not heard when his father made the people swear. Therefore he put forward the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in the honeycomb. Then he put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes were brightened.
28. Then one of the people answered, and said, “Your father surely made the people swear, saying, ‘Cursed is the man that eats any food this day.’ ” And the people were weary.