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[122]
So when Saul was desirous of leading his men to the enemy's camp
before it was day, in order to plunder it, and when the soldiers were not
unwilling to follow him, but indeed showed great readiness to do as he
commanded them, the king called Ahitub the high priest, and enjoined him
to know of God whether he would grant them the favor and permission to
go against the enemy's camp, in order to destroy those that were in it.
And when the priest said that God did not give any answer, Saul replied,
"And not without some cause does God refuse to answer what we inquire
of him, while yet a little while ago he declared to us all that we desired
beforehand, and even prevented us in his answer. To be sure there is some
sin against him that is concealed from us, which is the occasion of his
silence. Now I swear by him himself, that though he that hath committed
this sin should prove to be my own son Jonathan, I will slay him, and by
that means will appease the anger of God against us, and that in the very
same manner as if I were to punish a stranger, and one not at all related
to me, for the same offense." So when the multitude cried out to him
so to do, he presently set all the rest on one side, and he and his son
stood on the other side, and he sought to discover the offender by lot.
Now the lot appeared to fall upon Jonathan himself. So when he was asked
by his father what sin he had been guilty of, and what he was conscious
of in the course of his life that might be esteemed instances of guilt
or profaneness, his answer was this, "O father, I have done nothing
more than that yesterday, without knowing of the curse and oath thou hadst
denounced, while I was in pursuit of the enemy, I tasted of a honey-comb."
But Saul sware that he would slay him, and prefer the observation of his
oath before all the ties of birth and of nature. And Jonathan was not dismayed
at this threatening of death, but, offering himself to it generously and
undauntedly, he said, "Nor do I desire you, father, to spare me: death
will be to me very acceptable, when it proceeds from thy piety, and after
a glorious victory; for it is the greatest consolation to me that I leave
the Hebrews victorious over the Philistines." Hereupon all the people
were very sorry, and greatly afflicted for Jonathan; and they sware that
they would not overlook Jonathan, and see him die, who was the author of
their victory. By which means they snatched him out of the danger he was
in from his father's curse, while they made their prayers to God also for
the young man, that he would remit his sin.
Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by. William Whiston, A.M. Auburn and Buffalo. John E. Beardsley. 1895.
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