41. Then Saul prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel. He said, "Give me an answer." Jonathan and Saul were chosen by using lots. The other men were cleared of blame.
42. Saul said, "Cast the lot to find out whether I or my son Jonathan is to blame." And Jonathan was chosen.
43. Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." So Jonathan told him, "I only used the end of my stick to get a little honey and taste it. And now do I have to die?"
44. Saul said, "Jonathan, I must certainly put you to death. If I don't, may God punish me greatly."
45. But the men said to Saul, "Should Jonathan be put to death? Never! He has saved Israel in a wonderful way. He did it today with God's help. You can be sure that the Lord lives. And you can be just as sure that not even one hair on Jonathan's head will fall to the ground." So the men saved Jonathan. He wasn't put to death.
46. Then Saul stopped chasing the Philistines. They went back to their own land.
47. After Saul's kingdom was set firmly in place in Israel, he fought against their enemies who were all around them. He went to war against Moab, Ammon and Edom. He fought against the kings of Zobah and the Philistines. No matter where he went, he punished his enemies.
48. He fought bravely. He won the battle over the Amalekites. He saved Israel from the power of those who had carried off what belonged to Israel.
49. Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malki-Shua. His older daughter was named Merab. His younger daughter was named Michal.