KJV ORIGINAL
Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Then he said to all of Israel, 'You stand on one side, and Jonathan my son and I will stand on the other side.' And the people said to Saul, 'Do whatever seems right to you.'
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
King Saul is dividing the people into two groups to use casting lots to find out who has broken his oath, while the people trust his judgment as their leader.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs during a battle against the Philistines where Saul had made a rash oath that no one should eat until evening. Unknown to Jonathan, he had eaten honey and technically broken his father's oath. Saul is now using the ancient practice of casting lots (similar to drawing straws) to determine who was guilty of breaking the oath.
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