Samuel went from Gilgal to Gibeah. Gibeah belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. Jonathan was also in Gibeah. Samuel went up from Gilgal. The sun had risen in Gilgal.

Saul counted the soldiers with him. There were about 600 men with him. Saul's son was Jonathan. Saul's troops stayed in Gibeah. They ate and drank well.

The Philistines went down to camp at Michmash. Three raiding parties came out from their camp. They set out as raiders. One group went toward Ophrah. The raiders were not farmers.

They spread out toward Shual country. Another group went toward Beth Horon. A third group went to the border overlooking the valley. There was a Philistine garrison at the valley pass. The raiders headed toward the valley entrance.

To prevent the Hebrews from making swords. To prevent the Hebrews from making spears. So that there would be no blacksmiths in Israel. The blacksmiths went to other lands. They ate in defiance.

To sharpen plow blades. To sharpen hoes. To sharpen axes. To sharpen sickles. To get food.

For plow blades. For mattocks. For three-pronged forks. For axes. For ox goads.

None of the soldiers with Saul had a sword. None had proper spears either. Only Saul had a sword. Jonathan also had one. The Philistines camped at Michmash for a long time.

He told his young armor-bearer to come with him. He said they should go over to the Philistine outpost. Jonathan did not tell his father. Saul was in Gibeah. He stayed under a pomegranate tree in Migron.

About 600 men were with Saul. Ahijah son of Ahitub was wearing an ephod. Ahitub was the brother of Ichabod. Ichabod’s father was Phinehas. Phinehas was the son of Eli, the priest of the Lord.

There were sharp cliffs on both sides. One cliff faced north. The other was called Bozez. One stood opposite Michmash. The other stood opposite Geba.

"Let us go over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men." "Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf." "Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving." "Whether by many or by few." "The Lord does not need numbers to deliver."

"Do all that you have in mind." "Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul." "I will support whatever your heart desires." "Let’s first eat and then go." "Let’s put our weapons aside first."

"We will cross over and let them see us." "If they say, ‘Wait there,’ we will stay put." "If they say, ‘Come up,’ we will climb up." "That will be our sign." "For the Lord has given them into Israel’s hand."

They came out of the hiding place. The Philistines noticed Jonathan and his armor-bearer. The Philistines called them to come up. They said, “We’ll teach you a lesson.” Jonathan said, “Follow me, for the Lord has given them into Israel’s hand.”