38. Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the people, and observe and see how this sin has come about this day.
39. For, as the Lord lives, who saves Israel, even if it is in Jonathan my son, he will surely die.” But there was not one who answered him from among all the people.
40. Then he said to all Israel, “You will be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son 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, the God of Israel, “Give a perfect lot.” And Saul and Jonathan were taken, but the people escaped.
42. Saul said, “Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son.” And Jonathan was taken.
43. Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.”And Jonathan told him, and said, “I indeed tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. Here I am. I must die.”
44. Saul said, “May God do so to me and more also, for you will surely die, Jonathan.”
45. The people said to Saul, “Will Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? God forbid. As the Lord lives, there will not one hair of his head 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 went up from following the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.
47. So Saul took the kingdom over Israel and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the Ammonites, against Edom and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Whatever place he turned himself, he defeated them.
48. He gathered an army, and struck the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hand of its plunderers.
49. Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malki-Shua. And the names of his two daughters were Merab, the firstborn, and Michal, the youngest.
50. And the name of the wife of Saul was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the captain of his army was Abner, the son of Ner, the uncle of Saul.
51. Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
52. There was strong war against the Philistines all the days of Saul, and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him into his service.