Immerse: Kingdoms Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 122
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IMMERSE
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KINGDOMS
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Then Saul said, “Let’s chase the Philistines all night and plunder them
until sunrise. Let’s destroy every last one of them.”
His men replied, “We’ll do whatever you think is best.”
But the priest said, “Let’s ask God first.”
So Saul asked God, “Should we go after the Philistines? Will you help us
defeat them?” But God made no reply that day.
Then Saul said to the leaders, “Something’s wrong! I want all my army
commanders to come here. We must find out what sin was committed
today. I vow by the name of the Lord who rescued Israel that the sinner
will surely die, even if it is my own son Jonathan!” But no one would tell
him what the trouble was.
Then Saul said, “Jonathan and I will stand over here, and all of you stand
over there.”
And the people responded to Saul, “Whatever you think is best.”
Then Saul prayed, “O Lord, God of Israel, please show us who is guilty
and who is innocent.” Then they cast sacred lots, and Jonathan and Saul
were chosen as the guilty ones, and the people were declared innocent.
Then Saul said, “Now cast lots again and choose between me and Jona
than.” And Jonathan was shown to be the guilty one.
“Tell me what you have done,” Saul demanded of Jonathan.
“I tasted a little honey,” Jonathan admitted. “It was only a little bit on the
end of my stick. Does that deserve death?”
“Yes, Jonathan,” Saul said, “you must die! May God strike me and even
kill me if you do not die for this.”
But the people broke in and said to Saul, “Jonathan has won this great
victory for Israel. Should he die? Far from it! As surely as the Lord lives,
not one hair on his head will be touched, for God helped him do a great
deed today.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death.
Then Saul called back the army from chasing the Philistines, and the
Philistines returned home.
Now when Saul had secured his grasp on Israel’s throne, he fought against
his enemies in every direction—against Moab, Ammon, Edom, the kings
of Zobah, and the Philistines. And wherever he turned, he was victorious.
He performed great deeds and conquered the Amalekites, saving Israel
from all those who had plundered them.
Saul’s sons included Jonathan, Ishbosheth, and Malkishua. He also had
two daughters: Merab, who was older, and Michal. Saul’s wife was Ahin
oam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. The commander of Saul’s army was Abner,
the son of Saul’s uncle Ner. Saul’s father, Kish, and Abner’s father, Ner, were
both sons of Abiel.
The Israelites fought constantly with the Philistines throughout Saul’s