Jewish religion in religious studies — Saul’s curse
October 29, 2010
Jewish religion in religious studies — Prior to the battle Saul had said: ‘A curse on anyone who eats
any food, before I take revenge on my enemies.’ So the
Israelite men had eaten nothing that day, and were now weak
with hunger. As they pursued the Philistines, they came to a
wood where there was honey everywhere. Jonathan, unaware
of his father’s curse, dipped a stick into a honeycomb, and
ate some honey; at once he felt better. One of the men then
told him of the curse. Jonathan said: `What a terrible thing
my father has done! If our men had been well fed, they
would have slaughtered even more Philistines.’
At dusk Saul said to his men: ‘We shall attack the
Philistines again at night, plundering them until dawn.’ But
the priest, who kept by his side, said: `Let us consult God
f i rst.’ So Saul asked God: `Shall I attack the Philistines? Will
you give us victory?’ God did not answer. Saul declared: `Someone has sinned. I swear by the living God, who protects Israel, that the guilty man will be put to death – even if it is my son Jonathan.’
Then Jonathan said: `Here I am. I ate a little honey. I am
ready to die.’ Saul exclaimed: `May God strike me dead, if I
do not put you to death.’ But the men protested: ‘It cannot
be right to kill Jonathan – he won this great victory for Israel.
We swear by the living God that he will not lose a single hair
from his head.’
So the Israelite men saved Jonathan from death. Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and led the men back to their own territory.
r Samuel 14.24, 27-28a, 29-3o,
36-39a,
43b-45a,
46
For more on Jewish religion and religious studies read related posts below or subscribe to News worldwide.
Posted by Angelia Kates · Filed Under Religion
2 Responses to “Jewish religion in religious studies — Saul’s curse”
Perfect work you have done, this website is really cool with excellent info .
Perfect work you have done, this web site is really cool with excellent information.