35. Then Saul built an altar to the Lord. This was the first altar that he built to the Lord.
36. Now Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and plunder them until the morning light; and let us not leave a man of them.”And they said, “Do whatever seems good to you.”Then the priest said, “Let us draw near to God here.”
37. So Saul asked counsel of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You deliver them into the hand of Israel?” But He did not answer him that day.
38. And Saul said, “Come over here, all you chiefs of the people, and know and see what this sin was today.
39. For as the Lord lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die.” But not a man among all the people answered him.
40. Then he said to all Israel, “You be on one side, and my son Jonathan and I will be on the other side.”And the people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.”
41. Therefore Saul said to the Lord God of Israel, “Give a perfect lot.” So Saul and Jonathan were taken, but the people escaped.
42. And Saul said, “Cast lots between my son Jonathan and me.” So Jonathan was taken.
43. Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.”And Jonathan told him, and said, “I only tasted a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand. So now I must die!”
44. Saul answered, “God do so and more also; for you shall surely die, Jonathan.”
45. But the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great deliverance in Israel? Certainly not! As the Lord lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.
46. Then Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.
47. So Saul established his sovereignty over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the people of Ammon, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he harassed them.
48. And he gathered an army and attacked the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hands of those who plundered them.
49. The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Jishui, and Malchishua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal.
50. The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.
51. Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
52. Now there was fierce war with the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man or any valiant man, he took him for himself.