Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost ¹  that was at Geba and the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul alerted ²  all the land saying, “Let the Hebrews pay attention!”

Saul, his son Jonathan, and the army that remained with them stayed in Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin, while the Philistines camped in Micmash. ¹ 

In this initial skirmish Jonathan and his armor bearer struck down about twenty men in an area that measured half an acre.

Then Jonathan said, “My father has caused trouble for the land. See how my eyes gleamed ¹  when I tasted just a little of this honey.

The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malki-Shua. ¹  He had two daughters; the older one was named Merab and the younger Michal.

So Jonathan told David, “My father Saul is trying ¹  to kill you. So be careful tomorrow morning. Find ²  a hiding place and stay in seclusion. ³ 

Saul accepted Jonathan’s advice ¹  and took an oath, “As surely as the Lord lives, he will not be put to death.”

Jonathan said to David, “Come on. Let’s go out to the field.” When the two of them had gone out into the field,

The king sat down in his usual place by the wall, with Jonathan opposite him ¹  and Abner at his side. ²  But David’s place was vacant.

He said to his servant, “Run, find the arrows that I am about to shoot.” As the servant ran, Jonathan ¹  shot the arrow beyond him.

Then Jonathan gave his equipment to the servant who was with him. He said to him, “Go, take these things back to the city.”

When the two of them had made a covenant before the Lord, David stayed on at Horesh, but Jonathan went to his house.

The Philistines stayed right on the heels ¹  of Saul and his sons. They ²  struck down Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua.

David said to the young man ¹  who was telling him this, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” ² 

They lamented and wept and fasted until evening because Saul, his son Jonathan, the Lord’s people, and the house of Israel had fallen by the sword.

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of warriors, the bow of Jonathan was not turned away. The sword of Saul never returned ¹  empty.

Saul and Jonathan were greatly loved ¹  during their lives, and not even in their deaths were they separated. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.

I grieve over you, my brother Jonathan! You were very dear to me. Your love was more special to me than the love of women.

¹ Then David asked, “Is anyone still left from the family ²  of Saul, so that I may extend kindness to him for the sake of Jonathan?”

David ¹  brought the bones of Saul and of Jonathan his son from there; they also gathered up the bones of those who had been executed.