{1:1} Fuit vir unus de Ramathaimsophim, de monte Ephraim, et nomen eius Elcana, filius Ieroham, filii Eliu, filii Thohu, filii Suph, Ephrathæus:
{1:1} There was a certain man from Ramah of Zophim, on Mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
~ Ramathaim-Zophim means the high places of the watchers. The –im ending in Hebrew is the plural form.
{1:2} et habuit duas uxores, nomen uni Anna, et nomen secundæ Phenenna. Fueruntque Phenennæ filii: Annæ autem non erant liberi.
{1:2} And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the second was Peninnah. And Peninnah had sons. But Hannah did not have children.
{1:3} Et ascendebat vir ille de civitate sua statutis diebus, ut adoraret et sacrificaret Domino exercituum in Silo. Erant autem ibi duo filii Heli, Ophni et Phinees, sacerdotes Domini.
{1:3} And this man went up from his city, on the established days, so that he might adore and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh. Now the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, priests of the Lord, were in that place.
{1:4} Venit ergo dies, et immolavit Elcana, deditque Phenennæ uxori suæ, et cunctis filiis eius, et filiabus partes:
{1:4} Then the day arrived, and Elkanah immolated. And he gave portions to his wife Peninnah, and to all her sons and daughters.
{1:5} Annæ autem dedit partem unam tristis, quia Annam diligebat. Dominus autem concluserat vulvam eius.
{1:5} But to Hannah he gave one portion with sorrow. For he loved Hannah, but the Lord had closed her womb.
{1:6} Affligebat quoque eam æmula eius, et vehementer angebat, in tantum, ut exprobraret quod Dominus conclusisset vulvam eius:
{1:6} And her rival afflicted her and vehemently distressed her, to a great extent, for she rebuked her that the Lord had closed her womb.
{1:7} sicque faciebat per singulos annos, cum redeunte tempore ascenderent ad templum Domini: et sic provocabat eam. Porro illa flebat, et non capiebat cibum.
{1:7} And she did so every year, when the time returned for them to ascend to the temple of the Lord. And she provoked her in this way. And so, she wept and did not take food.
{1:8} Dixit ergo ei Elcana vir suus: Anna, cur fles? Et quare non comedis? Et quam ob rem affligitur cor tuum? Numquid non ego melior tibi sum, quam decem filii?
{1:8} Therefore, her husband Elkanah said to her: “Hannah, why are you weeping? And why do you not eat? And for what reason do you afflict your heart? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”
{1:9} Surrexit autem Anna postquam comederat, et biberat in Silo. Et Heli sacerdote sedente super sellam ante postes templi Domini,
{1:9} And so, after she ate and drank at Shiloh, Hannah rose up. And Eli, the priest, was sitting on the seat before the door of the temple of the Lord.
{1:10} cum esset Anna amaro animo, oravit ad Dominum, flens largiter,
{1:10} And since Hannah was bitter in soul, she prayed to the Lord, weeping greatly.
{1:11} et votum vovit, dicens: Domine exercituum, si respiciens videris afflictionem famulæ tuæ, et recordatus mei fueris, nec oblitus ancillæ tuæ, dederisque servæ tuæ sexum virilem: dabo eum Domino omnibus diebus vitæ eius, et novacula non ascendet super caput eius.
{1:11} And she made a vow, saying, “O Lord of hosts, if, in looking with favor, you will see the affliction of your servant and will remember me, and will not forget your handmaid, and if you will give to your servant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall pass over his head.”
{1:12} Factum est autem, cum illa multiplicaret preces coram Domino, ut Heli observaret os eius.
{1:12} Then it happened that, while she multiplied prayers before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth.
{1:13} Porro Anna loquebatur in corde suo, tantumque labia illius movebantur, et vox penitus non audiebatur. Æstimavit ergo eam Heli temulentam,
{1:13} For Hannah was speaking in her heart, and only her lips moved, and her voice was barely heard. Therefore, Eli considered her to be drunk,
{1:14} dixitque ei: Usquequo ebria eris? Digere paulisper vinum, quo mades.
{1:14} and so he said to her: “How long will you be inebriated? You should take only a little wine, but instead you are drenched.”
{1:15} Respondens Anna: Nequaquam, inquit, domine mi: nam mulier infelix nimis ego sum, vinumque et omne quod inebriare potest, non bibi, sed effudi animam meam in conspectu Domini.
{1:15} Responding, Hannah said: “By no means, my lord. For I am an exceedingly unhappy woman, and I drank neither wine, nor anything that can inebriate. Instead, I have poured out my soul in the sight of the Lord.
{1:16} Ne reputes ancillam tuam quasi unam de filiabus Belial: quia ex multitudine doloris, et mœroris mei locuta sum usque in præsens.
{1:16} You should not repute your handmaid as one of the daughters of Belial. For I have been speaking from the abundance of my sorrow and grief, even until now.”
{1:17} Tunc Heli ait ei: Vade in pace: et Deus Israel det tibi petitionem tuam, quam rogasti eum.
{1:17} Then Eli said to her: “Go in peace. And may the God of Israel grant to you your petition, which you have begged of him.”
{1:18} Et illa dixit: Utinam inveniat ancilla tua gratiam in oculis tuis. Et abiit mulier in viam suam, et comedit, vultusque illius non sunt amplius in diversa mutati.
{1:18} And she said, “I wish that your handmaid may find grace in your eyes.” And the woman went on her way, and she ate, and her countenance was no longer changed for the worse.
{1:19} Et surrexerunt mane, et adoraverunt coram Domino: reversique sunt, et venerunt in domum suam Ramatha. Cognovit autem Elcana Annam uxorem suam: et recordatus est eius Dominus.
{1:19} And they rose up in the morning, and they worshipped before the Lord. And they returned and arrived at their own house at Ramah. Then Elkanah knew his wife Hannah. And the Lord remembered her.
{1:20} Et factum est post circulum dierum, concepit Anna, et peperit filium, vocavitque nomen eius Samuel: eo quod a Domino postulasset eum.
{1:20} And it happened that, in the course of days, Hannah conceived and bore a son. And she called his name Samuel, because she had requested him from the Lord.
{1:21} Ascendit autem vir eius Elcana, et omnis domus eius, ut immolaret Domino hostiam sollemnem, et votum suum,
{1:21} Now her husband Elkanah ascended with his entire house, so that he might immolate to the Lord a solemn sacrifice, with his vow.
{1:22} et Anna non ascendit: dixit enim viro suo: Non vadam, donec ablactetur infans, et ducam eum, ut appareat ante conspectum Domini, et maneat ibi iugiter.
{1:22} But Hannah did not go up. For she said to her husband, “I will not go, until the infant has been weaned, and until I may lead him, so that he may appear before the sight of the Lord, and may remain always there.”
{1:23} Et ait ei Elcana vir suus: Fac quod bonum tibi videtur, et mane donec ablactes eum: precorque ut impleat Dominus verbum suum. Mansit ergo mulier, et lactavit filium suum, donec amoveret eum a lacte.
{1:23} And her husband Elkanah said to her: “Do what seems good to you, and stay until you wean him. And I pray that the Lord may fulfill his word.” Therefore, the woman remained at home, and she breastfed her son, until she withdrew him from milk.
{1:24} Et adduxit eum secum, postquam ablactaverat, in vitulis tribus, et tribus modiis farinæ, et amphora vini, et adduxit eum ad domum Domini in Silo. Puer autem erat adhuc infantulus:
{1:24} And after she had weaned him, she brought him with her, along with three calves, and three measures of flour, and a small bottle of wine, and she led him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. But the boy was still a young child.
{1:25} et immolaverunt vitulum, et obtulerunt puerum Heli.
{1:25} And they immolated a calf, and they presented the boy to Eli.
{1:26} Et ait Anna: Obsecro mi domine, vivit anima tua domine: ego sum illa mulier, quæ steti coram te hic orans Dominum.
{1:26} And Hannah said: “I beg you, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord: I am that woman, who stood before you here, praying to the Lord.
{1:27} Pro puero isto oravi, et dedit mihi Dominus petitionem meam, quam postulavi eum.
{1:27} I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted to me my petition, which I asked of him.
{1:28} Idcirco et ego commodavi eum Domino cunctis diebus, quibus fuerit commodatus Domino. Et adoraverunt ibi Dominum. Et oravit Anna, et ait:
{1:28} Because of this, I have also lent him to the Lord, for all the days when he shall be lent to the Lord.” And they adored the Lord in that place. And Hannah prayed, and she said:
{2:1} Exultavit cor meum in Domino, et exaltatum est cornu meum in Deo meo: dilatatum est os meum super inimicos meos: quia lætata sum in salutari tuo.
{2:1} “My heart exults in the Lord, and my horn is exalted in my God. My mouth is enlarged over my enemies. For I have rejoiced in your salvation.
{2:2} Non est sanctus, ut est Dominus: neque enim est alius extra te, et non est fortis sicut Deus noster.
{2:2} Nothing is holy as the Lord is holy. For there is no other beside you. And nothing is strong as our God is strong.
{2:3} Nolite multiplicare loqui sublimia, gloriantes: recedant vetera de ore vestro: quia Deus scientiarum, Dominus est, et ipsi præparantur cogitationes.
{2:3} Do not continue speaking of great things, boasting. Let what is old depart from your mouth. For the Lord is the God of knowledge, and thoughts are prepared for him.
{2:4} Arcus fortium superatus est, et infirmi accincti sunt robore.
{2:4} The bow of the powerful has been overwhelmed, and the weak have been girded with strength.
{2:5} Repleti prius, pro panibus se locaverunt: et famelici saturati sunt, donec sterilis peperit plurimos: et quæ multos habebat filios, infirmata est.
{2:5} Those who before were filled, have hired themselves out for bread. And the starving have been filled, so that the barren have given birth to many. But she who had borne many sons has become unable.
{2:6} Dominus mortificat et vivificat, deducit ad inferos et reducit.
{2:6} The Lord brings death, and he gives life. He leads away to death, and he brings back again.
~ The word ‘inferos’ has a broader range of meaning than the word ‘hell’. It can refer generally to death and to the afterlife, not merely to Hellfire.
{2:7} Dominus pauperem facit et ditat, humiliat et sublevat.
{2:7} The Lord impoverishes, and he enriches. He humbles, and he lifts up.
{2:8} Suscitat de pulvere egenum, et de stercore elevat pauperem: ut sedeat cum principibus, et solium gloriæ teneat. Domini enim sunt cardines terræ, et posuit super eos orbem.
{2:8} He raises up the indigent from the dust, and he lifts up the poor from filth, so that they may sit with princes, and take hold of a throne of glory. For the hinges of the earth belong to the Lord, and he has placed the globe upon them.
{2:9} Pedes sanctorum suorum servabit, et impii in tenebris conticescent: quia non in fortitudine sua roborabitur vir.
{2:9} He will preserve the feet of his holy ones, and the impious will be silenced in darkness. For no man will prevail by his own strength.
{2:10} Dominum formidabunt adversarii eius: et super ipsos in cælis tonabit: Dominus iudicabit fines Terræ, et dabit imperium regi suo, et sublimabit cornu Christi sui.
{2:10} The adversaries of the Lord will dread him. And over them, he will thunder in the heavens. The Lord will judge the parts of the earth, and he will give dominion to his king, and he will lift up the horn of his Christ.”
{2:11} Et abiit Elcana Ramatha, in domum suam: puer autem erat minister in conspectu Domini ante faciem Heli sacerdotis.
{2:11} And Elkanah went away to Ramah, to his house. But the boy was a minister in the sight of the Lord, before the face of Eli, the priest.
{2:12} Porro filii Heli, filii Belial, nescientes Dominum,
{2:12} But the sons of Eli were sons of Belial, not knowing the Lord,
{2:13} neque officium sacerdotum ad populum: sed quicumque immolasset victimam, veniebat puer sacerdotis, dum coquerentur carnes, et habebat fuscinulam tridentem in manu sua,
{2:13} nor the priestly office for the people. And so, no matter who had immolated a victim, the servant of the priest would arrive, while the flesh was still cooking, and he would take a three-pronged hook in his hand,
{2:14} et mittebat eam in lebetem, vel in caldariam, aut in ollam, sive in cacabum: et omne, quod levabat fuscinula, tollebat sacerdos sibi. Sic faciebant universo Israeli venientium in Silo.
{2:14} and put it into the vessel, or into the cauldron, or into the cooking pot, or into the pan, and all that the hook lifted up, the priest took for himself. So they did to all of Israel who arrived at Shiloh.
{2:15} Etiam antequam adolerent adipem, veniebat puer sacerdotis, et dicebat immolanti: Da mihi carnem, ut coquam sacerdoti: non enim accipiam a te carnem coctam, sed crudam.
{2:15} In addition, before they burned the fat, the servant of the priest would arrive, and he would say to the one who was immolating: “Give me the flesh, so that I may boil it for the priest. For I will not accept cooked meat from you, but raw.”
{2:16} Dicebatque illi immolans: Incendatur primum iuxta morem hodie adeps, et tolle tibi quantumcumque desiderat anima tua. Qui respondens aiebat ei: Nequaquam: nunc enim dabis, alioquin tollam vi.
{2:16} And the one who was immolating would say to him, “First, allow the fat to be burned today, according to custom, and then take for yourself whatever your soul desires.” But in response, he would say to him: “By no means. For you will give it to me now, otherwise I will take it by force.”
{2:17} Erat ergo peccatum puerorum grande nimis coram Domino: quia retrahebant homines a sacrificio Domini.
{2:17} Therefore, the sin of the servants was exceedingly great before the Lord. For they drew men away from the sacrifice of the Lord.
{2:18} Samuel autem ministrabat ante faciem Domini, puer accinctus ephod lineo.
{2:18} But Samuel was ministering before the face of the Lord; he was a youth girded with a linen ephod.
{2:19} Et tunicam parvam faciebat ei mater sua, quam afferebat statutis diebus, ascendens cum viro suo, ut immolaret hostiam sollemnem.
{2:19} And his mother fashioned a little tunic for him, which she brought to him on the appointed days, ascending with her husband, so that he might immolate the solemn sacrifice.
{2:20} Et benedixit Heli Elcanæ et uxori eius: dixitque ei: Reddat tibi Dominus semen de muliere hac, pro fœnore quod commodasti Domino. Et abierunt in locum suum.
{2:20} And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife. And he said to him, “May the Lord repay to you offspring from this woman, on behalf of the loan that you offered to the Lord.” And they went away to their own place.
{2:21} Visitavit ergo Dominus Annam, et concepit, et peperit tres filios, et duas filias: et magnificatus est puer Samuel apud Dominum.
{2:21} Then the Lord visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the youth Samuel was magnified with the Lord.
{2:22} Heli autem erat senex valde, et audivit omnia quæ faciebant filii sui universo Israeli: et quomodo dormiebant cum mulieribus quæ observabant ad ostium tabernaculi:
{2:22} Now Eli was very old, and he heard all that his sons were doing to all of Israel, and how they were sleeping with the women who were waiting at the door of the tabernacle.
{2:23} et dixit eis: Quare facitis res huiuscemodi, quas ego audio, res pessimas, ab omni populo?
{2:23} And he said to them: “Why are you doing these kinds of things, very wicked things, that I have heard from all the people?
{2:24} Nolite filii mei: non enim est bona fama, quam ego audio, ut transgredi faciatis populum Domini.
{2:24} My sons, do not be willing. For it is no good report that I am hearing, so that you would cause the people of the Lord to transgress.
{2:25} Si peccaverit vir in virum, placari ei potest Deus: si autem in Dominum peccaverit vir, quis orabit pro eo? Et non audierunt vocem patris sui: quia voluit Dominus occidere eos.
{2:25} If a man has sinned against a man, God may be able to be appeased over him. But if a man has sinned against the Lord, who will pray for him?” But they did not listen to the voice of their father, that the Lord was willing to kill them.
{2:26} Puer autem Samuel proficiebat, atque crescebat, et placebat tam Domino quam hominibus.
{2:26} But the youth Samuel advanced, and grew up, and he was pleasing to the Lord, as well as to men.
{2:27} Venit autem vir Dei ad Heli, et ait ad eum: Hæc dicit Dominus: Numquid non aperte revelatus sum domui patris tui, cum essent in Ægypto in domo Pharaonis?
{2:27} Then a man of God went to Eli, and he said to him: “Thus says the Lord: Was I not revealed openly to the house of your father, when they were in Egypt in the house of Pharaoh?
{2:28} Et elegi eum ex omnibus tribubus Israel mihi in sacerdotem, ut ascenderet ad altare meum, et adoleret mihi incensum, et portaret ephod coram me: et dedi domui patris tui omnia de sacrificiis filiorum Israel.
{2:28} And I chose him out of all the tribes of Israel for myself as priest, so that he might ascend to my altar, and burn incense to me, and wear the ephod before me. And I gave to the house of your father all the sacrifices of the sons of Israel.
{2:29} Quare calce abiecistis victimam meam, et munera mea quæ præcepi ut offerrentur in templo: et magis honorasti filios tuos quam me, ut comederetis primitias omnis sacrificii Israel populi mei?
{2:29} Why have you kicked away my victims and my gifts, which I instructed to be offered in the temple? And why have you given more honor to your sons than to me, so that you eat the first-fruits of every sacrifice of my people Israel?
{2:30} Propterea ait Dominus Deus Israel: Loquens locutus sum, ut domus tua, et domus patris tui ministraret in conspectu meo, usque in sempiternum. Nunc autem dicit Dominus: Absit hoc a me: sed quicumque glorificaverit me, glorificabo eum: qui autem contemnunt me, erunt ignobiles.
{2:30} Because of this, the Lord God of Israel says: I have spoken clearly, so that your house, and the house of your father, may minister in my sight, even forever. But now the Lord says: May this be far from me. Instead, whoever will have glorified me, I will glorify him. But whoever despises me, they will be despised.
{2:31} Ecce dies veniunt: et præcidam brachium tuum, et brachium domus patris tui, ut non sit senex in domo tua.
{2:31} Behold the days are arriving, when I will cut off your arm, and the arm of the house of your father, so that there will not be an old man in your house.
{2:32} Et videbis æmulum tuum in templo, in universis prosperis Israel: et non erit senex in domo tua omnibus diebus.
{2:32} And you will see your rival in the temple, amid all the prosperity of Israel. And there will not be an old man in your house for all days.
{2:33} Verumtamen non auferam penitus virum ex te ab altari meo: sed ut deficiant oculi tui, et tabescat anima tua: et pars magna domus tuæ morietur cum ad virilem ætatem venerit.
{2:33} Yet truly, I will not entirely take away a man of you from my altar, but such that your eyes may fail, and your soul may melt away, and a great part of your house may die out, as it pertains to the state of men.
{2:34} Hoc autem erit tibi signum, quod venturum est duobus filiis tuis, Ophni et Phinees: In die uno morientur ambo.
{2:34} But this will be a sign to you, which will happen to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas: on one day they both will die.
{2:35} Et suscitabo mihi sacerdotem fidelem, qui iuxta cor meum, et animam meam faciet: et ædificabo ei domum fidelem, et ambulabit coram Christo meo cunctis diebus.
{2:35} And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will act in accord with my heart and my soul. And I will build a faithful house for him. And he will walk before my Christ for all days.
{2:36} Futurum est autem, ut quicumque remanserit in domo tua, veniat ut oretur pro eo, et offerat nummum argenteum, et tortam panis, dicatque: Dimitte me obsecro ad unam partem sacerdotalem, ut comedam buccellam panis.
{2:36} Then this will be in the future, that whoever will have remained of your house, he will approach so that he may pray on his behalf. And he will offer a coin of silver, and a twist of bread. And he will say: ‘Permit me, I beg you, one part of the priestly office, so that I may eat a mouthful of bread.’ ”
{3:1} Puer autem Samuel ministrabat Domino coram Heli, et sermo Domini erat pretiosus in diebus illis, non erat visio manifesta.
{3:1} Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord before Eli, and the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no manifest vision.
{3:2} Factum est ergo in die quadam, Heli iacebat in loco suo, et oculi eius caligaverant, nec poterat videre:
{3:2} Then it happened that, on a certain day, Eli was lying in his place. And his eyes had dimmed, so that he was unable to see.
{3:3} lucerna Dei antequam extingueretur, Samuel dormiebat in templo Domini, ubi erat arca Dei.
{3:3} And so, to prevent the lamp of God from going out, Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.
{3:4} Et vocavit Dominus Samuel. Qui respondens, ait: Ecce ego.
{3:4} And the Lord called Samuel. And responding, he said, “Here I am.”
{3:5} Et cucurrit ad Heli, et dixit: Ecce ego: vocasti enim me. Qui dixit: Non vocavi: revertere, et dormi. Et abiit, et dormivit.
{3:5} And he ran to Eli, and he said, “Here I am. For you called me.” And he said: “I did not call. Return and sleep.” And he went away, and he slept.
{3:6} Et adiecit Dominus rursum vocare Samuelem. Consurgensque, Samuel abiit ad Heli, et dixit: Ecce ego: quia vocasti me. Qui respondit: Non vocavi te fili mi: revertere et dormi.
{3:6} And again, the Lord continued to call to Samuel. And rising up, Samuel went to Eli, and he said: “Here I am. For you called me.” And he responded: “I did not call you, my son. Return and sleep.”
{3:7} Porro Samuel necdum sciebat Dominum, neque revelatus fuerat ei sermo Domini.
{3:7} Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not been revealed to him.
{3:8} Et adiecit Dominus, et vocavit adhuc Samuelem tertio. Qui consurgens abiit ad Heli,
{3:8} And the Lord continued, and he called to Samuel still a third time. And rising up, he went to Eli.
{3:9} et ait: Ecce ego: quia vocasti me. Intellexit ergo Heli quia Dominus vocaret puerum: et ait ad Samuelem: Vade, et dormi: et si deinceps vocaverit te, dices: Loquere Domine, quia audit servus tuus. Abiit ergo Samuel, et dormivit in loco suo.
{3:9} And he said: “Here I am. For you called me.” Then Eli understood that the Lord had called the boy. And he said to Samuel: “Go and sleep. And if he calls to you from now on, you will say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” Therefore, Samuel went away, and he slept in his place.
{3:10} Et venit Dominus, et stetit: et vocavit, sicut vocaverat secundo: Samuel, Samuel. Et ait Samuel: Loquere Domine, quia audit servus tuus.
{3:10} And the Lord came, and stood, and he called, just as he had called the other times, “Samuel, Samuel.” And Samuel said, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”
{3:11} Et dixit Dominus ad Samuelem: Ecce ego facio verbum in Israel: quod quicumque audierit, tinnient ambæ aures eius.
{3:11} And the Lord said to Samuel: “Behold, I am accomplishing a word in Israel. Whoever will hear about it, both his ears will ring.
{3:12} In die illa suscitabo adversum Heli omnia quæ locutus sum super domum eius: incipiam, et complebo.
{3:12} In that day, I will raise up against Eli all the things that I have spoken over his house. I will begin, and I will finish.
{3:13} Prædixi enim ei quod iudicaturus essem domum eius in æternum, propter iniquitatem, eo quod noverat indigne agere filios suos, et non corripuerit eos.
{3:13} For I have foretold to him that I will judge his house unto eternity, because of iniquity. For he had known that his sons acted shamefully, and he did not chastise them.
~ Eli’s mild verbal rebuke of his sons was not acceptable to the Lord. For Eli had authority over his sons and the other priests, and so he should have acted with authority, rather than merely pleading as one might do who lacks authority. If Eli did not have authority, he would be without guilt. But because he had the authority to correct and did not do so, he is guilty.
{3:14} Idcirco iuravi domui Heli quod non expietur iniquitas domus eius victimis et muneribus usque in æternum.
{3:14} For this reason, I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of his house will not be expiated, with victims or with gifts, even forever.”
{3:15} Dormivit autem Samuel usque mane, aperuitque ostia domus Domini. Et Samuel timebat indicare visionem Heli.
{3:15} Then Samuel slept until morning, and he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli.
{3:16} Vocavit ergo Heli Samuelem, et dixit: Samuel fili mi? Qui respondens, ait: Præsto sum.
{3:16} Then Eli called Samuel, and he said, “Samuel, my son?” And responding, he said, “I am here.”
{3:17} Et interrogavit eum: Quis est sermo, quem locutus est Dominus ad te? Oro te ne celaveris me. Hæc faciat tibi Deus, et hæc addat, si absconderis a me sermonem ex omnibus verbis, quæ dicta sunt tibi.
{3:17} And he questioned him: “What is the word that the Lord has spoken to you? I beg you that you may not conceal it from me. May God do these things to you, and may he add these other things, if you hide from me one word out of all the things that were told to you.”
{3:18} Indicavit itaque ei Samuel universos sermones, et non abscondit ab eo. Et ille respondit: Dominus est: quod bonum est in oculis suis faciat.
{3:18} And so, Samuel revealed to him all the words, and he did not hide them from him. And he responded: “He is the Lord. May he do what is good in his own eyes.”
{3:19} Crevit autem Samuel, et Dominus erat cum eo, et non cecidit ex omnibus verbis eius in terram.
{3:19} And Samuel grew up, and the Lord was with him, and not one of his words fell to the ground.
{3:20} Et cognovit universus Israel a Dan, usque Bersabee, quod fidelis Samuel propheta esset Domini.
{3:20} And all of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, knew Samuel to be a faithful prophet of the Lord.
{3:21} Et addidit Dominus ut appareret in Silo, quoniam revelatus fuerat Dominus Samueli in Silo, iuxta verbum Domini. Et evenit sermo Samuelis universo Israeli.
{3:21} And the Lord continued to appear in Shiloh. For the Lord had revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh, according to the word of the Lord. And the word about Samuel went forth to all of Israel.
{4:1} Et factum est in diebus illis, convenerunt Philisthiim in pugnam: et egressus est Israel obviam Philisthiim in prælium, et castrametatus est iuxta Lapidem Adiutorii. Porro Philisthiim venerunt in Aphec,
{4:1} And it happened that, in those days, the Philistines assembled to fight. And Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle, and he made camp beside the Stone of Assistance. But the Philistines went to Aphek,
{4:2} et instruxerunt aciem contra Israel. Inito autem certamine, terga vertit Israel Philisthæis: et cæsa sunt in illo certamine passim per agros, quasi quattuor millia virorum.
{4:2} and they positioned their troops against Israel. Then, when the conflict began, Israel turned his back to the Philistines. And they were cut down in that conflict, in various places in the fields, about four thousand men.
{4:3} Et reversus est populus ad castra: dixeruntque maiores natu de Israel: Quare percussit nos Dominus hodie coram Philisthiim? Afferamus ad nos de Silo arcam fœderis Domini, et veniat in medium nostri, ut salvet nos de manu inimicorum nostrorum.
{4:3} And the people returned to the camp. And those greater by birth of Israel said: “Why has the Lord struck us today before the Philistines? Let us bring to ourselves the ark of the covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. And let it enter into our midst, so that it may save us from the hand of our enemies.”
{4:4} Misit ergo populus in Silo, et tulerunt inde arcam fœderis Domini exercituum sedentis super Cherubim: erantque duo filii Heli cum arca fœderis Dei, Ophni et Phinees.
{4:4} Therefore, the people sent to Shiloh, and they brought from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, sitting upon the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were with the ark of the covenant of God.
{4:5} Cumque venisset arca fœderis Domini in castra, vociferatus est omnis Israel clamore grandi, et personuit terra.
{4:5} And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord had arrived in the camp, all of Israel shouted with a great clamor, and the land resounded.
{4:6} Et audierunt Philisthiim vocem clamoris, dixeruntque: Quænam est hæc vox clamoris magni in castris Hebræorum? Et cognoverunt quod arca Domini venisset in castra.
{4:6} And the Philistines heard the voice of the clamor, and they said, “What is this voice of a great clamor in the camp of the Hebrews?” And they realized that the ark of the Lord had arrived in the camp.
{4:7} Timueruntque Philisthiim, dicentes: Venit Deus in castra. Et ingemuerunt, dicentes:
{4:7} And the Philistines were afraid, saying, “God has entered into the camp.” And they groaned, saying:
{4:8} Væ nobis: non enim fuit tanta exultatio heri et nudiustertius: Væ nobis! Quis nos salvabit de manu deorum sublimium istorum? Hi sunt dii, qui percusserunt Ægyptum omni plaga, in deserto.
{4:8} “Woe to us! For there was no such great exultation yesterday, or the day before. Woe to us! Who will save us from the hand of these sublime gods? These are the gods who struck Egypt with all the plagues, in the desert.”
~ The Philistines substantially misunderstood the one God of Israel, thinking Him to be just like their idols, and so the text has the word ‘gods’ with all lowercase letters.
{4:9} Confortamini, et estote viri, Philisthiim: ne serviatis Hebræis, sicut et illi servierunt vobis: confortamini, et bellate.
{4:9} “Be strengthened, and be manly, O Philistines! Otherwise, you may serve the Hebrews, as they also have served you. Be strengthened and wage war!”
{4:10} Pugnaverunt ergo Philisthiim, et cæsus est Israel, et fugit unusquisque in tabernaculum suum: et facta est plaga magna nimis: et ceciderunt de Israel triginta millia peditum.
{4:10} Therefore, the Philistines fought, and Israel was cut down, and each one fled to his own tent. And an exceedingly great slaughter occurred. And thirty thousand foot soldiers from Israel fell.
~ The expression “each one fled to his own tent” is like the expression “every man for himself”. It indicates that they no longer acted as a body, but were scattered.
{4:11} Et arca Dei capta est: duo quoque filii Heli mortui sunt, Ophni et Phinees.
{4:11} And the ark of God was captured. Also, the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
{4:12} Currens autem vir de Beniamin ex acie, venit in Silo in die illa, scissa veste, et conspersus pulvere caput.
{4:12} Now a man of Benjamin, rushing from the troops, arrived at Shiloh on the same day, with his clothing torn, and with his head sprinkled with dust.
{4:13} Cumque ille venisset, Heli sedebat super sellam contra viam spectans. Erat enim cor eius pavens pro arca Dei. Vir autem ille postquam ingressus est, nunciavit urbi: et ululavit omnis civitas.
{4:13} And when he had arrived, Eli was sitting on a seat opposite the way, gazing out. For his heart was fearful on behalf of the ark of God. Then, after this man entered the city, he announced it to the city. And the entire city wailed.
{4:14} Et audivit Heli sonitum clamoris, dixitque: Quis est hic sonitus tumultus huius? At ille festinavit, et venit, et nunciavit Heli.
{4:14} And Eli heard the sound of the outcry, and he said, “What is this sound, this tumult?” And the man hurried, and he went and announced it to Eli.
{4:15} Heli autem erat nonaginta et octo annorum, et oculi eius caligaverant, et videre non poterat.
{4:15} Now Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his eyes had dimmed, so that he was not able to see.
{4:16} Et dixit ad Heli: Ego sum qui veni de prælio, et ego qui de acie fugi hodie. Cui ille ait: Quid actum est fili mi?
{4:16} And he said to Eli: “I am the one who came from the battle. And it is I who fled from the troops today.” And he said to him, “What has happened, my son?”
{4:17} Respondens autem ille, qui nunciabat: Fugit, inquit, Israel coram Philisthiim, et ruina magna facta est in populo: insuper et duo filii tui mortui sunt, Ophni et Phinees: et arca Dei capta est.
{4:17} And responding, the man reported and said: “Israel has fled before the Philistines. And a great ruin has happened to the people. Moreover, your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, also have died. And the ark of God has been captured.”
{4:18} Cumque ille nominasset arcam Dei, cecidit de sella retrorsum iuxta ostium, et fractis cervicibus mortuus est. Senex enim erat vir et grandævus: et ipse iudicavit Israel quadraginta annis.
{4:18} And when he had named the ark of God, he fell from the seat backwards, toward the door, and, having broken his neck, he died. For he was an old man of great age. And he judged Israel for forty years.
{4:19} Nurus autem eius, uxor Phinees, prægnans erat, vicinaque partui: et audito nuncio quod capta esset arca Dei, et mortuus esset socer suus, et vir suus, incurvavit se et peperit: irruerant enim in eam dolores subiti.
{4:19} Now his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant, and her delivery was near. And upon hearing the news that the ark of God had been captured, and that her father-in-law and her husband had died, she bent down and went into labor. For her pains rushed upon her suddenly.
{4:20} In ipso autem momento mortis eius, dixerunt ei quæ stabant circa eam: Ne timeas, quia filium peperisti. Quæ non respondit eis, neque animadvertit.
{4:20} Then, when she was near death, those who were standing around her said to her, “You should not be afraid, for you have given birth to a son.” But she did not respond to them, and she did not notice them.
{4:21} Et vocabit puerum, Ichabod, dicens: Translata est gloria de Israel, quia capta est arca Dei, et pro socero suo et pro viro suo;
{4:21} And she called the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory of Israel has been taken away,” because the ark of God was captured, and because of her father-in-law and her husband.
{4:22} et ait: Translata est gloria ab Israel, eo quod capta esset arca Dei.
{4:22} And she said, “The glory has been taken away from Israel,” because the ark of God had been captured.
{5:1} Philisthiim autem tulerunt arcam Dei, et asportaverunt eam a Lapide adiutorii in Azotum.
{5:1} Then the Philistines took the ark of God, and they transported it from the Stone of Assistance into Ashdod.
{5:2} Tuleruntque Philisthiim arcam Dei, et intulerunt eam in templum Dagon, et statuerunt eam iuxta Dagon.
{5:2} And the Philistines took the ark of God, and carried it into the temple of Dagon. And they stationed it beside Dagon.
{5:3} Cumque surrexissent diluculo Azotii altera die, ecce Dagon iacebat pronus in terra ante arcam Domini: et tulerunt Dagon, et restituerunt eum in locum suum.
{5:3} And when the Ashdodites had risen up at first light on the next day, behold, Dagon was lying prone on the ground before the ark of the Lord. And they took Dagon, and they set him again in his place.
{5:4} Rursumque mane die altera consurgentes, invenerunt Dagon iacentem super faciem suam in terra coram arca Domini: caput autem Dagon, et duæ palmæ manuum eius abscissæ erant super limen:
{5:4} And again, on the next day, rising up in the morning, they found Dagon lying on his face upon the ground, before the ark of the Lord. But the head of Dagon, and both palms of his hands had been cut off upon the threshold.
{5:5} porro Dagon solus truncus remanserat in loco suo. Propter hanc causam non calcant sacerdotes Dagon, et omnes qui ingrediuntur templum eius, super limen Dagon in Azoto, usque in hodiernum diem.
{5:5} Moreover, only the trunk of Dagon remained in its place. For this reason, the priests of Dagon, and all who enter his temple, do not tread upon the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod, even to this day.
{5:6} Aggravata est autem manus Domini super Azotios, et demolitus est eos: et percussit in secretiori parte natium Azotum, et fines eius. Et ebullierunt villæ et agri in medio regionis illius, et nati sunt mures, et facta est confusio mortis magnæ in civitate.
{5:6} Now the hand of the Lord weighed heavily upon the Ashdodites, and he destroyed them. And he struck Ashdod and its borders at the inner part of the buttocks. And in the villages and fields, in the midst of that region, mice rose up and burst forth. And this caused a great tumult unto death in the city.
~ The Ashdodites were struck with some kind of disease that affected the bowels.
{5:7} Videntes autem viri Azotii huiuscemodi plagam, dixerunt: Non maneat arca Dei Israel apud nos: quoniam dura est manus eius super nos, et super Dagon deum nostrum.
{5:7} Then the men of Ashdod, seeing this kind of plague, said: “The ark of the God of Israel shall not remain with us. For his hand is harsh, over us and over Dagon, our god.”
{5:8} Et mittentes congregaverunt omnes satrapas Philisthinorum ad se, et dixerunt: Quid faciemus de arca Dei Israel? Responderuntque Gethæi: Circumducatur arca Dei Israel. Et circumduxerunt arcam Dei Israel.
{5:8} And sending, they gathered together all the princes of the Philistines to them, and they said, “What shall we do about the ark of the God of Israel?” And the Gathites responded, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be led around.” And they led the ark of the God of Israel around.
{5:9} Illis autem circumducentibus eam, fiebat manus Domini per singulas civitates interfectionis magnæ nimis: et percutiebat viros uniuscuiusque urbis, a parvo usque ad maiorem, et computrescebant prominentes ex tales eorum. Inieruntque Gethæi consilium, et fecerunt sibi sedes pelliceas.
{5:9} And as they were carrying it around, the hand of the Lord fell upon every single city with an exceedingly great slaughter. And he struck down the men of each and every city, from the small even to the great. And cysts were festering at their buttocks. And the Gathites took counsel, and they made for themselves seat covers from pelts.
{5:10} Miserunt ergo arcam Dei in Accaron. Cumque venisset arca Dei in Accaron, exclamaverunt Accaronitæ, dicentes: Adduxerunt ad nos arcam Dei Israel, ut interficiat nos et populum nostrum.
{5:10} Therefore, they sent the ark of God into Ekron. And when the ark of God had arrived at Ekron, the Ekronites cried out, saying, “They have brought the ark of the God of Israel to us, so that it may kill us and our people!”
{5:11} Miserunt itaque et congregaverunt omnes satrapas Philisthinorum: qui dixerunt: Dimittite arcam Dei Israel, et revertatur in locum suum, et non interficiat nos cum populo nostro.
{5:11} And so they sent and gathered together all the princes of the Philistines, and they said: “Release the ark of the God of Israel, and return it to its own place. And let it not kill us, with our people.”
{5:12} Fiebat enim pavor mortis in singulis urbibus, et gravissima valde manus Dei: viri quoque, qui mortui non fuerant, percutiebantur in secretiori parte natium: et ascendebat ululatus uniuscuiusque civitatis in cælum.
{5:12} For the fear of death fell upon every single city, and the hand of God was very heavy. Also, the men who did not die were being afflicted in the inner part of the buttocks. And the wailing of each city was ascending to heaven.
~ God wanted the seat of the ark to be Shiloh, not among the Philistines; therefore, He afflicted their seats.
{6:1} Fuit ergo arca Domini in regione Philisthinorum septem mensibus.
{6:1} Now the ark of the Lord was in the region of the Philistines for seven months.
{6:2} Et vocaverunt Philisthiim sacerdotes et divinos, dicentes: Quid faciemus de arca Domini? Indicate nobis quomodo remittamus eam in locum suum. Qui dixerunt:
{6:2} And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying: “What shall we do with the ark of the Lord? Reveal to us in what manner we should send it back to its place.” And they said:
{6:3} Si remittitis arcam Dei Israel, nolite dimittere eam vacuam, sed quod debetis, reddite ei pro peccato, et tunc curabimini: et scietis quare non recedat manus eius a vobis.
{6:3} “If you send back the ark of the God of Israel, do not choose to release it empty. Instead, repay to him what you owe because of sin. And then you will be cured. And you will know why his hand did not withdraw from you.”
{6:4} Qui dixerunt: Quid est quod pro delicto reddere debeamus ei? Responderuntque illi:
{6:4} And they said, “What is it that we ought to repay to him because of transgression?” And they responded:
{6:5} Iuxta numerum provinciarum Philisthinorum quinque anos aureos facietis, et quinque mures aureos: quia plaga una fuit omnibus vobis, et satrapis vestris. Facietisque similitudines anorum vestrorum, et similitudines murium, qui demoliti sunt terram. Et dabitis Deo Israel gloriam: si forte relevet manum suam a vobis, et a diis vestris, et a terra vestra.
{6:5} “In accord with the number of the provinces of the Philistines, you shall fashion five gold cysts and five gold mice. For the same plague has been upon all of you and your princes. And you shall fashion a likeness of your cysts and a likeness of the mice, which have destroyed the land. And so shall you give glory to the God of Israel, so that perhaps he may lift off his hand from you, and from your gods, and from your land.
~ The word ‘anos’ can refer to the anus, but it can also refer to piles or hemorrhoids, i.e. to swellings in that area of the body. In this context, the term refers to the cysts or pustules that occurred as a result of the disease which was plaguing the Philistines.
{6:6} Quare aggravatis corda vestra, sicut aggravavit Ægyptus, et Pharao cor suum? Nonne postquam percussus est, tunc dimisit eos, et abierunt?
{6:6} Why have you hardened your hearts, just as Egypt and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? After he was struck, did he not then release them, and they went away?
{6:7} Nunc ergo arripite et facite plaustrum novum unum: et duas vaccas fœtas, quibus non est impositum iugum, iungite in plaustro, et recludite vitulos earum domi.
{6:7} Now therefore, fashion and take a new cart, with two cows that have given birth, but on which no yoke has been imposed. And yoke them to the cart, but retain their calves at home.
{6:8} Tolletisque arcam Domini, et ponetis in plaustro, et vasa aurea, quæ exolvistis ei pro delicto, ponetis in capsellam ad latus eius: et dimittite eam ut vadat.
{6:8} And you shall take the ark of the Lord, and you shall place it upon the cart, with the articles of gold that you have paid to him on behalf of transgression. You shall place these in a little box at its side. And release it, so that it may go.
{6:9} Et aspicietis: et si quidem per viam finium suorum ascenderit contra Bethsames, ipse fecit nobis hoc malum grande: sin autem, minime: sciemus quia nequaquam manus eius tetigit nos, sed casu accidit.
{6:9} And you shall watch. And if, indeed, it ascends by the way of his own parts, toward Beth-shemesh, then he has done this great evil to us. But if not, then we shall know that it is by no means his hand that has touched us, but instead it happened by chance.”
{6:10} Fecerunt ergo illi hoc modo: et tollentes duas vaccas, quæ lactabant vitulos, iunxerunt ad plaustrum, vitulosque earum concluserunt domi.
{6:10} Therefore, they did it in this way. And taking two cows that were feeding calves, they yoked them to the cart, and they enclosed their calves at home.
{6:11} Et posuerunt arcam Dei super plaustrum, et capsellam, quæ habebat mures aureos et similitudines anorum.
{6:11} And they placed the ark of God upon the cart, with the little box that held the gold mice and the likenesses of the cysts.
{6:12} Ibant autem in directum vaccæ per viam, quæ ducit Bethsames, et itinere uno gradiebantur, pergentes et mugientes: et non declinabant neque ad dextram neque ad sinistram: sed et satrapæ Philisthiim sequebantur usque ad terminos Bethsames.
{6:12} But the cows went directly along the way that leads to Beth-shemesh. And they advanced only in one direction, lowing as they went. And they did not turn aside, neither to the right, nor to the left. Moreover, the princes of the Philistines followed them, as far as the borders of Beth-shemesh.
{6:13} Porro Bethsamitæ metebant triticum in valle: et elevantes oculos suos, viderunt arcam, et gavisi sunt cum vidissent.
{6:13} Now the Beth-shemeshites were harvesting wheat in the valley. And lifting up their eyes, they saw the ark, and they were glad when they had seen it.
{6:14} Et plaustrum venit in agrum Iosue Bethsamitæ, et stetit ibi. Erat autem ibi lapis magnus, et conciderunt ligna plaustri, vaccasque imposuerunt super ea holocaustum Domino.
{6:14} And the cart went into the field of Joshua, a Beth-shemeshite, and it stood still there. Now in that place was a great stone, and so they cut up the wood of the cart, and they placed the cows upon it as a holocaust to the Lord.
{6:15} Levitæ autem deposuerunt arcam Dei, et capsellam, quæ erat iuxta eam, in qua erant vasa aurea, et posuerunt super lapidem grandem. Viri autem Bethsamitæ obtulerunt holocausta, et immolaverunt victimas in die illa Domino.
{6:15} But the Levites took down the ark of God, and the little box that was at its side, in which were the articles of gold, and they placed them upon the great stone. Then the men of Beth-shemesh offered holocausts and immolated victims, on that day, to the Lord.
{6:16} Et quinque satrapæ Philisthinorum viderunt, et reversi sunt in Accaron in die illa.
{6:16} And the five princes of the Philistines saw, and they returned to Ekron on the same day.
{6:17} Hi sunt autem ani aurei, quos reddiderunt Philisthiim pro delicto, Domino: Azotus unum, Gaza unum, Ascalon unum, Geth unum, Accaron unum:
{6:17} Now these are the gold cysts, which the Philistines repaid to the Lord for transgression: for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Ashkelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one.
{6:18} et mures aureos secundum numerum urbium Philisthiim, quinque provinciarum, ab urbe murata, usque ad villam, quæ erat absque muro, et usque ad Abelmagnum, super quem posuerunt arcam Domini, quæ erat usque in illum diem in agro Iosue Bethsamitis.
{6:18} And there were gold mice, according to the number of the cities of the Philistines, of the five provinces, from the fortified city to the village that was without a wall, and even to the great stone upon which they placed the ark of the Lord, which was, at last in that day, in the field of Joshua, the Beth-shemeshite.
{6:19} Percussit autem de viris Bethsamitibus, eo quod vidissent arcam Domini: et percussit de populo septuaginta viros, et quinquaginta millia plebis. Luxitque populus, eo quod Dominus percussisset plebem plaga magna.
{6:19} Then he struck down some of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had seen the ark of the Lord. And he struck down some of the people: seventy men, and fifty thousand of the common people. And the people lamented, because the Lord had struck the people with a great slaughter.
{6:20} Et dixerunt viri Bethsamitæ: Quis poterit stare in conspectu Domini Dei sancti huius? Et ad quem ascendet a nobis?
{6:20} And the men of Beth-shemesh said: “Who will be able to stand in the sight of the Lord, this holy God? And who will ascend to him from us?”
{6:21} Miseruntque nuncios ad habitatores Cariathiarim, dicentes: Reduxerunt Philisthiim arcam Domini, descendite, et reducite eam ad vos.
{6:21} And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim, saying: “The Philistines have returned the ark of the Lord. Descend and lead it back to you.”
{7:1} Venerunt ergo viri Cariathiarim, et reduxerunt arcam Domini, et intulerunt eam in domum Abinadab in Gabaa: Eleazarum autem filium eius sanctificaverunt, ut custodiret arcam Domini.
{7:1} Then the men of Kiriath-jearim arrived, and they led away the ark of the Lord. And they brought it into the house of Abinadab, in Gibeah. Then they sanctified Eleazar, his son, so that he might care for the ark of the Lord.
{7:2} Et factum est, ex qua die mansit arca Domini in Cariathiarim, multiplicati sunt dies (erat quippe iam annus vigesimus) et requievit omnis domus Israel post Dominum.
{7:2} And it happened that, from that day, the ark of the Lord remained in Kiriath-jearim. And the days were multiplied (for it was now the twentieth year) and all the house of Israel rested, following the Lord.
{7:3} Ait autem Samuel ad universam domum Israel, dicens: Si in toto corde vestro revertimini ad Dominum, auferte deos alienos de medio vestri, Baalim et Astaroth: et præparate corda vestra Domino, et servite ei soli, et eruet vos de manu Philisthiim.
{7:3} Then Samuel spoke to the entire house of Israel, saying: “If you would return to the Lord with your whole heart, take away strange gods from among you, the Baals and Ashtaroth, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve him alone. And he will rescue you from the hand of the Philistines.”
{7:4} Abstulerunt ergo filii Israel Baalim et Astaroth, et servierunt Domino soli.
{7:4} Therefore, the sons of Israel took away the Baals and Ashtaroth, and they served the Lord alone.
{7:5} Dixit autem Samuel: Congregate universum Israel in Masphath, ut orem pro vobis Dominum.
{7:5} And Samuel said, “Gather all of Israel at Mizpah, so that I may pray for you to the Lord.”
{7:6} Et convenerunt in Masphath: hauseruntque aquam, et effuderunt in conspectu Domini, et ieiunaverunt in die illa, atque dixerunt ibi: Peccavimus Domino. Iudicavitque Samuel filios Israel in Masphath.
{7:6} And they convened at Mizpah. And they drew water, and they poured it out in the sight of the Lord. And on that day they fasted, and in that place they said, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the sons of Israel at Mizpah.
{7:7} Et audierunt Philisthiim quod congregati essent filii Israel in Masphath, et ascenderunt satrapæ Philisthinorum ad Israel. Quod cum audissent filii Israel, timuerunt a facie Philisthinorum.
{7:7} And the Philistines heard that the sons of Israel had gathered together at Mizpah. And the princes of the Philistines ascended against Israel. And when the sons of Israel had heard this, they were afraid before the face of the Philistines.
{7:8} Dixeruntque ad Samuelem: Ne cesses pro nobis clamare ad Dominum Deum nostrum, ut salvet nos de manu Philisthinorum.
{7:8} And they said to Samuel, “May you not cease to cry out to the Lord our God on our behalf, so that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”
{7:9} Tulit autem Samuel agnum lactentem unum, et obtulit illum holocaustum integrum Domino: et clamavit Samuel ad Dominum pro Israel, et exaudivit eum Dominus.
{7:9} Then Samuel took one suckling lamb, and he offered it whole, as a holocaust to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord on behalf of Israel, and the Lord heeded him.
{7:10} Factum est autem, cum Samuel offerret holocaustum, Philisthiim iniere prœlium contra Israel: intonuit autem Dominus fragore magno in die illa super Philisthiim, et exterruit eos, et cæsi sunt a facie Israel.
{7:10} Then it happened that, while Samuel was offering the holocaust, the Philistines began the battle against Israel. But the Lord thundered with a great crash, on that day, over the Philistines, and he terrified them, and they were cut down before the face of Israel.
{7:11} Egressique viri Israel de Masphath persecuti sunt Philisthæos, et percusserunt eos usque ad locum, qui erat subter Bethchar.
{7:11} And the men of Israel, departing from Mizpah, pursued the Philistines, and they struck them down as far as the place which was below Bethcar.
{7:12} Tulit autem Samuel lapidem unum, et posuit eum inter Masphath et inter Sen: et vocavit nomen loci illius, Lapis Adiutorii. Dixitque: Hucusque auxiliatus est nobis Dominus.
{7:12} Then Samuel took a single stone, and he placed it between Mizpah and Shen. And he called the name of this place: The Stone of Assistance. And he said, “For in this place the Lord gave assistance to us.”
{7:13} Et humiliati sunt Philisthiim, nec apposuerunt ultra ut venirent in terminos Israel. Facta est itaque manus Domini super Philisthæos, cunctis diebus Samuelis.
{7:13} And the Philistines were humbled, and they no longer drew near, so that they might enter into the borders of Israel. And so, the hand of the Lord was over the Philistines during all the days of Samuel.
{7:14} Et redditæ sunt urbes, quas tulerant Philisthiim ab Israel, Israeli, ab Accaron usque Geth, et terminos suos: liberavitque Israel de manu Philisthinorum, eratque pax inter Israel et Amorrhæum.
{7:14} And the cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron as far as Gath, with their borders. And he freed Israel from the hand of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
{7:15} Iudicabat quoque Samuel Israelem cunctis diebus vitæ suæ:
{7:15} And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
{7:16} et ibat per singulos annos circuiens Bethel et Galgala et Masphath, et iudicabat Israelem in supradictis locis.
{7:16} And he went each year, traveling around to Bethel, and to Gilgal, and to Mizpah, and he judged Israel in the above-stated places.
{7:17} Revertebaturque in Ramatha: ibi enim erat domus eius, et ibi iudicabat Israelem: ædificavit etiam ibi altare Domino.
{7:17} And he returned to Ramah. For his house was there, and he judged Israel there. And then he built an altar to the Lord there.
{8:1} Factum est autem cum senuisset Samuel, posuit filios suos iudices Israel.
{8:1} And it happened that, when Samuel had become old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel.
{8:2} Fuitque nomen filii eius primogeniti Ioel: et nomen secundi Abia, iudicum in Bersabee.
{8:2} Now the name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of the second was Abijah: judges at Beersheba.
{8:3} Et non ambulaverunt filii illius in viis eius: sed declinaverunt post avaritiam, acceperuntque munera, et perverterunt iudicium.
{8:3} But his sons did not walk in his ways. Instead, they turned aside, pursuing avarice. And they accepted bribes, and they perverted judgment.
{8:4} Congregati ergo universi maiores natu Israel, venerunt ad Samuelem in Ramatha.
{8:4} Therefore, all those greater by birth of Israel, having gathered together, went to Samuel at Ramah.
{8:5} Dixeruntque ei: Ecce tu senuisti, et filii tui non ambulant in viis tuis: constitue nobis regem, ut iudicet nos, sicut et universæ habent nationes.
{8:5} And they said to him: “Behold, you are elderly, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Appoint for us a king, so that he may judge us, just as all the nations have.”
{8:6} Displicuit sermo in oculis Samuelis, eo quod dixissent: Da nobis regem, ut iudicet nos. Et oravit Samuel ad Dominum.
{8:6} And the word was displeasing in the eyes of Samuel, for they had said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord.
{8:7} Dixit autem Dominus ad Samuelem: Audi vocem populi in omnibus quæ loquuntur tibi. Non enim te abiecerunt, sed me, ne regnem super eos.
{8:7} Then the Lord said to Samuel: “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they are saying to you. For they have not rejected you, but me, lest I reign over them.
{8:8} Iuxta omnia opera sua, quæ fecerunt a die qua eduxi eos de Ægypto usque ad diem hanc: sicut dereliquerunt me, et servierunt diis alienis, sic faciunt etiam tibi.
{8:8} In accord with all their works, which they have done from the day when I led them away from Egypt, even to this day: just as they have forsaken me, and served foreign gods, so now they also do to you.
{8:9} Nunc ergo vocem eorum audi: verumtamen contestare eos, et prædic eis ius regis, qui regnaturus est super eos.
{8:9} Now therefore, hear their voice. Yet truly, testify to them and foretell to them the rights of the king who will reign over them.”
{8:10} Dixit itaque Samuel omnia verba Domini ad populum, qui petierat a se regem,
{8:10} And so, Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people, who had petitioned a king from him.
{8:11} et ait: Hoc erit ius regis, qui imperaturus est vobis: filios vestros tollet, et ponet in curribus suis, facietque sibi equites et præcursores quadrigarum suarum,
{8:11} And he said: “This will be the right of the king who will have authority over you: He will take your sons, and place them in his chariots. And he will make them his horsemen and his runners before his four-horse chariots.
{8:12} et constituet sibi tribunos, et centuriones, et aratores agrorum suorum, et messores segetum, et fabros armorum et curruum suorum.
{8:12} And he will appoint them to be his tribunes and centurions, and the plowmen of his fields, and the harvesters of the grain, and the makers of his weapons and chariots.
{8:13} Filias quoque vestras faciet sibi unguentarias, et focarias, et panificas.
{8:13} Likewise, your daughters he will take for himself as makers of ointments, and as cooks and bakers.
{8:14} Agros quoque vestros, et vineas, et oliveta optima tollet, et dabit servis suis.
{8:14} Also, he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your best olive groves, and he will give them to his servants.
{8:15} Sed et segetes vestras, et vinearum reditus addecimabit, ut det eunuchis et famulis suis.
{8:15} Moreover, he will take one tenth of your grain and of the results of your vineyards, so that he may give these to his eunuchs and servants.
{8:16} Servos etiam vestros, et ancillas, et iuvenes optimos, et asinos, auferet, et ponet in opere suo.
{8:16} Then, too, he will take your servants, and handmaids, and your best young men, and your donkeys, and he will set them to his work.
{8:17} Greges quoque vestros addecimabit, vosque eritis ei servi.
{8:17} Also, he will take a tenth of your flocks. And you will be his servants.
{8:18} Et clamabitis in die illa a facie regis vestri, quem elegistis vobis: et non exaudiet vos Dominus in die illa, quia petistis vobis regem.
{8:18} And you will cry out, in that day, from the face of the king, whom you have chosen for yourselves. And the Lord will not heed you, in that day. For you requested a king for yourselves.”
{8:19} Noluit autem populus audire vocem Samuelis, sed dixerunt: Nequaquam: rex enim erit super nos,
{8:19} But the people were not willing to listen to the voice of Samuel. Instead, they said: “By no means! For there shall be a king over us,
{8:20} et erimus nos quoque sicut omnes Gentes: et iudicabit nos rex noster, et egredietur ante nos, et pugnabit bella nostra pro nobis.
{8:20} and we shall be just like all the Gentiles. And our king will judge us, and he will go out before us, and he will fight our wars for us.”
{8:21} Et audivit Samuel omnia verba populi, et locutus est ea in auribus Domini.
{8:21} And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he spoke them to the ears of the Lord.
{8:22} Dixit autem Dominus ad Samuelem: Audi vocem eorum, et constitue super eos regem. Et ait Samuel ad viros Israel: Vadat unusquisque in civitatem suam.
{8:22} Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to their voice, and appoint a king over them.” And Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Let each one go to his own city.”
{9:1} Et erat vir de Beniamin nomine Cis, filius Abiel, filii Seror, filii Bechorath, filii Aphia, filii viri Iemini, fortis robore.
{9:1} Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a man of Benjamin, strong and robust.
{9:2} Et erat ei filius vocabulo Saul, electus et bonus: et non erat vir de filiis Israel melior illo. Ab humero et sursum eminebat super omnem populum.
{9:2} And he had a son called Saul, an elect and good man. And there was not a man among the sons of Israel better than he was. For he stood head and shoulders above all the people.
{9:3} Perierant autem asinæ Cis patris Saul: et dixit Cis ad Saul filium suum: Tolle tecum unum de pueris, et consurgens vade, et quære asinas. Qui cum transissent per montem Ephraim,
{9:3} Now the donkeys of Kish, the father of Saul, had become lost. And Kish said to his son Saul, “Take with you one of the servants, and rising up, go out and seek the donkeys.” And when they had passed through mount Ephraim,
{9:4} et per terram Salisa, et non invenissent, transierunt etiam per Terram Salim, et non erant: sed et per Terram Iemini, et minime repererunt.
{9:4} and through the land of Shalishah, and had not found them, they crossed also through the land of Shaalim, and they were not there, and through the land of Benjamin, and they found nothing.
{9:5} Cum autem venissent in Terram Suph, dixit Saul ad puerum, qui erat cum eo: Veni et revertamur, ne forte dimiserit pater meus asinas, et solicitus sit pro nobis.
{9:5} And when they had arrived in the land of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him, “Come, and let us return, otherwise perhaps my father may forget the donkeys, and become anxious over us.”
{9:6} Qui ait ei: Ecce vir Dei est in civitate hac, vir nobilis: omne, quod loquitur, sine ambiguitate venit. Nunc ergo eamus illuc, si forte indicet nobis de via nostra, propter quam venimus.
{9:6} And he said to him: “Behold, there is a man of God in this city, a noble man. All that he says, happens without fail. Now therefore, let us go there. For perhaps he may tell us about our way, because of which we have arrived.”
{9:7} Dixitque Saul ad puerum suum: Ecce ibimus: quid feremus ad virum Dei? Panis defecit in sitarciis nostris: et sportulam non habemus, ut demus homini Dei, nec quidquam aliud.
{9:7} And Saul said to his servant: “Behold, let us go. But what will we bring to the man of God? The bread in our sacks has run out. And we have no small gift that we might give to the man of God, nor anything at all.”
{9:8} Rursum puer respondit Sauli, et ait: Ecce inventa est in manu mea, quarta pars stateris argenti, demus homini Dei, ut indicet nobis viam nostram.
{9:8} The servant again responded to Saul, and he said: “Behold, there is found in my hand a coin of the fourth part of a stater. Let us give it to the man of God, so that he may reveal to us our way.”
{9:9} (Olim in Israel sic loquebatur unusquisque vadens consulere Deum: Venite, et eamus ad videntem. Qui enim propheta dicitur hodie, vocabatur olim videns.)
{9:9} (In past times, in Israel, anyone going to consult God would speak in this way, “Come, and let us go to the seer.” For one who is called a prophet today, in past times was called a seer.)
{9:10} Et dixit Saul ad puerum suum: Optimus sermo tuus: Veni, eamus. Et ierunt in civitatem, in qua erat vir Dei.
{9:10} And Saul said to his servant: “Your word is very good. Come, let us go.” And they went into the city, where the man of God was.
{9:11} Cumque ascenderent clivum civitatis, invenerunt puellas egredientes ad hauriendam aquam, et dixerunt eis: Num hic est videns?
{9:11} And as they were ascending the slope to the city, they found some young women going out to draw water. And they said to them, “Is the seer here?”
{9:12} Quæ respondentes, dixerunt illis: Hic est: ecce ante te, festina nunc: hodie enim venit in civitatem, quia sacrificium est hodie populi in excelso.
{9:12} And responding, they said to them: “He is. Behold, he is ahead of you. Hurry now. For he came into the city today, since there is a sacrifice for the people today, on the high place.
{9:13} Ingredientes urbem, statim invenietis eum antequam ascendat excelsum ad vescendum. Neque enim comesurus est populus donec ille veniat: quia ipse benedicit hostiæ, et deinceps comedunt qui vocati sunt. Nunc ergo conscendite, quia hodie reperietis eum.
{9:13} Upon entering the city, you should find him immediately, before he ascends to the high place for the meal. And the people will not eat until he has arrived. For he blesses the victim, and thereafter those who were called will eat. Now therefore, go up. For you will find him today.”
{9:14} Et ascenderunt in civitatem. Cumque illi ambularent in medio urbis, apparuit Samuel egrediens obviam eis, ut ascenderet in excelsum.
{9:14} And they ascended into the city. And as they were walking in the midst of the city, Samuel appeared, advancing to meet them, so that he might ascend to the high place.
{9:15} Dominus autem revelaverat auriculam Samuelis ante unam diem quam veniret Saul, dicens:
{9:15} Now the Lord had revealed to the ear of Samuel, one day before Saul had arrived, saying:
{9:16} Hac ipsa hora, quæ nunc est, cras mittam virum ad te de Terra Beniamin, et unges eum ducem super populum meum Israel: et salvabit populum meum de manu Philisthinorum: quia respexi populum meum, venit enim clamor eorum ad me.
{9:16} “Tomorrow, at the same hour that it is now, I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin. And you shall anoint him to be the leader over my people Israel. And he will save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked with favor upon my people, because their outcry has reached me.”
{9:17} Cumque aspexisset Samuel Saulem, Dominus dixit ei: Ecce, vir, quem dixeram tibi, iste dominabitur populo meo.
{9:17} And when Samuel had caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him: “Behold, the man about whom I spoke to you. This one shall rule over my people.”
{9:18} Accessit autem Saul ad Samuelem in medio portæ, et ait: Indica, oro, mihi, ubi est domus videntis.
{9:18} Then Saul drew near to Samuel, at the middle of the gate, and he said, “Tell me, I beg you: where is the house of the seer?”
{9:19} Et respondit Samuel Sauli, dicens: Ego sum videns. Ascende ante me in excelsum, ut comedatis mecum hodie, et dimittam te mane: et omnia, quæ sunt in corde tuo, indicabo tibi.
{9:19} And Samuel responded to Saul, saying: “I am the seer. Ascend before me to the high place, so that you may eat with me today. And I will send you away in the morning. And I shall reveal to you everything that is in your heart.
{9:20} Et de asinis, quas nudiustertius perdidisti, ne solicitus sis, quia inventæ sunt. Et cuius erunt optima quæque Israel? Nonne tibi et omni domui patris tui?
{9:20} And concerning the donkeys, which were lost the day before yesterday, you should not be anxious, for they have been found. And all the best things of Israel, for whom should they be? Will they not be for you and for all your father’s house?”
{9:21} Respondens autem Saul, ait: Numquid non filius Iemini ego sum de minima tribu Israel, et cognatio mea novissima inter omnes familias de tribu Beniamin? Quare ergo locutus es mihi sermonem istum?
{9:21} And responding, Saul said: “Am I not a son of Benjamin, the least tribe of Israel, and are not my kindred the last among all the families from the tribe of Benjamin? So then, why would you speak this word to me?”
{9:22} Assumens itaque Samuel Saulem, et puerum eius, introduxit eos in triclinium, et dedit eis locum in capite eorum, qui fuerant invitati. Erant enim quasi triginta viri.
{9:22} And so Samuel, taking Saul and his servant, brought them into the dining room, and he gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited. For there were about thirty men.
{9:23} Dixitque Samuel coco: Da partem, quam dedi tibi, et præcepi ut reponeres seorsum apud te.
{9:23} And Samuel said to the cook, “Present the portion that I gave to you, and which I instructed you to set apart beside you.”
{9:24} Levavit autem cocus armum, et posuit ante Saul. Dixitque Samuel: Ecce quod remansit, pone ante te, et comede: quia de industria servatum est tibi, quando populum vocavi. Et comedit Saul cum Samuele in die illa.
{9:24} Then the cook lifted up the shoulder, and he placed it before Saul. And Samuel said: “Behold, what remains, set it before you and eat. For it was preserved for you intentionally, when I called the people.” And Saul ate with Samuel on that day.
{9:25} Et descenderunt de excelso in oppidum, et locutus est cum Saule in solario: stravitque Saul in solario, et dormivit.
{9:25} And they descended from the high place into the town, and he spoke with Saul in the upper room. And he set out a bed for Saul in the upper room, and he slept.
{9:26} Cumque mane surrexissent, et iam elucesceret, vocavit Samuel Saulem in solario, dicens: Surge, et dimittam te. Et surrexit Saul: egressique sunt ambo, ipse videlicet, et Samuel.
{9:26} And when they had risen in the morning, and it now began to be light, Samuel called to Saul in the upper room, saying, “Rise up, so that I may send you on.” And Saul rose up. And they both departed, that is to say, he and Samuel.
{9:27} Cumque descenderent in extrema parte civitatis, Samuel dixit ad Saul: Dic puero ut antecedat nos, et transeat: tu autem subsiste paulisper, ut indicem tibi verbum Domini.
{9:27} And as they were descending to the very limit of the city, Samuel said to Saul: “Tell the servant to go ahead of us, and to continue on. But as for you, stay here a little while, so that I may reveal the word of the Lord to you.”
{10:1} Tulit autem Samuel lenticulam olei, et effudit super caput eius, et deosculatus est eum, et ait: Ecce, unxit te Dominus super hereditatem suam in principem, et liberabis populum suum de manibus inimicorum eius, qui in circuitu eius sunt. Et hoc tibi signum, quia unxit te Deus in principem.
{10:1} Then Samuel took a little vial of oil, and poured it on his head. And he kissed him, and said: “Behold, the Lord has anointed you as first ruler over his inheritance. And you shall free his people from the hands of their enemies, who are all around them. And this shall be a sign for you that God has anointed you as ruler:
{10:2} Cum abieris hodie a me, invenies duos viros iuxta sepulchrum Rachel in finibus Beniamin, in Meridie, dicentque tibi: Inventæ sunt asinæ, ad quas ieras perquirendas: et intermissis pater tuus asinis, solicitus est pro vobis, et dicit: Quid faciam de filio meo?
{10:2} When you will have departed from me this day, you will find two men beside the sepulcher of Rachel, in the parts of Benjamin to the south. And they will say to you: ‘The donkeys have been found, which you had been seeking as you traveled. And your father, forgetting about the donkeys, has been anxious for you, and he says, “What shall I do about my son?” ’
{10:3} Cumque abieris inde, et ultra transieris, et veneris ad quercum Thabor, invenient te ibi tres viri ascendentes ad Deum in Bethel, unus portans tres hœdos, et alius tres tortas panis, et alius portans lagenam vini.
{10:3} And when you will have departed from there, and will have traveled farther, and will have arrived at the oak of Tabor, in that place three men, who are going up to God at Bethel, will find you. One will be bringing three young goats, and another three loaves of bread, and another will be carrying a bottle of wine.
{10:4} Cumque te salutaverint, dabunt tibi duos panes, et accipies de manu eorum.
{10:4} And when they will have greeted you, they will give you two loaves. And you shall accept these from their hand.
{10:5} Post hæc venies in collem Dei, ubi est statio Philisthinorum: et cum ingressus fueris ibi urbem, obvium habebis gregem prophetarum descendentium de excelso, et ante eos psalterium et tympanum, et tibiam, et citharam, ipsosque prophetantes.
{10:5} After these things, you shall arrive at the hill of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is. And when you will have entered the city there, you will meet a company of prophets, descending from the high place, with a psaltery, and a timbrel, and a pipe, and a harp before them, and they will be prophesying.
{10:6} Et insiliet in te Spiritus Domini, et prophetabis cum eis, et mutaberis in virum alium.
{10:6} And the Spirit of the Lord will spring up within you. And you shall prophesy with them, and you shall be changed into another man.
{10:7} Quando ergo evenerint signa hæc omnia tibi, fac quæcumque invenerit manus tua, quia Dominus tecum est.
{10:7} Therefore, when these signs will have happened to you, do whatever your hand will find, for the Lord is with you.
{10:8} Et descendes ante me in Galgala, (ego quippe descendam ad te) ut offeras oblationem, et immoles victimas pacificas: septem diebus expectabis, donec veniam ad te, et ostendam tibi quid facias.
{10:8} And you shall descend before me into Gilgal, (for I will descend to you), so that you may offer an oblation, and may immolate victims of peace. For seven days, you shall wait, until I come to you, and reveal to you what you should do.”
{10:9} Itaque cum avertisset humerum suum ut abiret a Samuele, immutavit ei Deus cor aliud, et venerunt omnia signa hæc in die illa.
{10:9} And so, when he had turned his shoulder, so that he might go away from Samuel, God changed him to another heart. And all these signs occurred on that day.
{10:10} Veneruntque ad prædictum collem, et ecce cuneus prophetarum obvius ei: et insiluit super eum Spiritus Domini, et prophetavit in medio eorum.
{10:10} And they arrived at the above-stated hill, and behold, a group of prophets met him. And the Spirit of the Lord leapt up within him, and he prophesied in their midst.
{10:11} Videntes autem omnes qui noverant eum heri et nudiustertius, quod esset cum prophetis, et prophetaret, dixerunt ad invicem: Quænam res accidit filio Cis? Num et Saul inter prophetas?
{10:11} Then all those who had known him yesterday and the day before, seeing that he was with the prophets, and that he was prophesying, said to one other: “What is this thing that has happened to the son of Kish? Could Saul also be among the prophets?”
{10:12} Responditque alius ad alterum, dicens: Et quis pater eorum? Propterea versum est in proverbium: Num et Saul inter prophetas?
{10:12} And one would respond to the other, saying, “And who is their father?” Because of this, it turned into a proverb, “Could Saul also be among the prophets?”
~ They were asking about the forefather of Kish and of Saul.
{10:13} Cessavit autem prophetare, et venit ad excelsum.
{10:13} Then he ceased to prophesy, and he went to the high place.
{10:14} Dixitque patruus Saul ad eum, et ad puerum eius: Quo abistis? Qui responderunt: Quærere asinas: quas cum non reperissemus, venimus ad Samuelem.
{10:14} And the uncle of Saul said to him, and to his servant, “Where did you go?” And they responded: “To seek the donkeys. But when we did not find them, we went to Samuel.”
{10:15} Et dixit ei patruus suus: Indica mihi quid dixerit tibi Samuel.
{10:15} And his uncle said to him, “Tell me what Samuel said to you.”
{10:16} Et ait Saul ad patruum suum: Indicavit nobis quia inventæ essent asinæ. De sermone autem regni non indicavit ei quem locutus fuerat ei Samuel.
{10:16} And Saul said to his uncle, “He told us that the donkeys would be found.” But the word about the kingdom, which Samuel had spoken to him, he did not reveal to him.
{10:17} Et convocavit Samuel populum ad Dominum in Maspha:
{10:17} And Samuel called the people together, to the Lord at Mizpah.
{10:18} et ait ad filios Israel: Hæc dicit Dominus Deus Israel: Ego eduxi Israel de Ægypto, et erui vos de manu Ægyptiorum, et de manu omnium regum qui affligebant vos.
{10:18} And he said to the sons of Israel: “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: I led Israel away from Egypt, and I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians, and from the hand of all the kings who were afflicting you.
{10:19} Vos autem hodie proiecistis Deum vestrum, qui solus salvavit vos de universis malis et tribulationibus vestris: et dixistis: Nequaquam: sed regem constitue super nos. Nunc ergo state coram Domino per tribus vestras, et per familias.
{10:19} But today you have rejected your God, who alone saved you from all your evils and tribulations. And you have said: ‘By no means! Instead, appoint a king over us.’ Now therefore, stand in the sight of the Lord, by your tribes and by your families.”
{10:20} Et applicuit Samuel omnes tribus Israel, et cecidit sors tribus Beniamin.
{10:20} And Samuel brought near all the tribes of Israel, and the lot fell upon the tribe of Benjamin.
{10:21} Et applicuit tribum Beniamin et cognationes eius, et cecidit cognatio Metri, et pervenit usque ad Saul filium Cis. Quæsierunt ergo eum, et non est inventus.
{10:21} And he brought near the tribe of Benjamin, with its families, and the lot fell upon the family of Matri. And then it went to Saul, the son of Kish. Therefore, they sought him, but he was not found.
{10:22} Et consuluerunt post hæc Dominum utrumnam venturus esset illuc. Responditque Dominus: Ecce absconditus est domi.
{10:22} And after these things, they consulted the Lord as to whether he would soon arrive there. And the Lord responded, “Behold, he is hidden at home.”
{10:23} Cucurrerunt itaque et tulerunt eum inde: stetitque in medio populi, et altior fuit universo populo ab humero et sursum.
{10:23} And so they ran and brought him there. And he stood in the midst of the people, and he was taller than the entire people, from the shoulders upward.
{10:24} Et ait Samuel ad omnem populum: Certe videtis quem elegit Dominus, quoniam non sit similis illi in omni populo. Et clamavit omnis populus, et ait: Vivat rex.
{10:24} And Samuel said to all the people: “Certainly, you see the one whom the Lord has chosen, that there is not anyone like him among all the people.” And all the people cried out and said, “Long live the king!”
{10:25} Locutus est autem Samuel ad populum legem regni, et scripsit in libro, et reposuit coram Domino: et dimisit Samuel omnem populum, singulos in domum suam.
{10:25} Then Samuel spoke to the people the law of the kingdom, and he wrote it in a book, and he stored it in the sight of the Lord. And Samuel dismissed all the people, each one to his own house.
{10:26} Sed et Saul abiit in domum suam in Gabaa: et abiit cum eo pars exercitus, quorum tetigerat Deus corda.
{10:26} And then Saul went away to his own house at Gibeah. And a portion of the army, whose hearts had been touched by God, went away with him.
{10:27} Filii vero Belial dixerunt: Num salvare nos poterit iste? Et despexerunt eum, et non attulerunt ei munera: ille vero dissimulabat se audire.
{10:27} Yet the sons of Belial said, “How could this one be able to save us?” And they despised him, and they brought him no presents. But he pretended not to hear them.
{11:1} Et factum est quasi post mensem, ascendit Naas Ammonites, et pugnare cœpit adversum Iabes Galaad. Dixeruntque omnes viri Iabes ad Naas: Habeto nos fœderatos, et serviemus tibi.
{11:1} And, about a month afterward, it happened that Nahash the Ammonite ascended and began to fight against Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Consider a pact with us, and we will serve you.”
{11:2} Et respondit ad eos Naas Ammonites: In hoc feriam vobiscum fœdus, ut eruam omnium vestrum oculos dextros, ponamque vos opprobrium in universo Israel.
{11:2} And Nahash the Ammonite responded to them, “With this will I strike a pact with you: if I may pluck out all your right eyes, and set you as a disgrace against all of Israel.”
{11:3} Et dixerunt ad eum seniores Iabes: Concede nobis septem dies, ut mittamus nuncios ad universos terminos Israel: et si non fuerit qui defendat nos, egrediemur ad te.
{11:3} And the elders of Jabesh said to him: “Grant to us seven days, so that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel. And if there is no one who may defend us, we will go out to you.”
{11:4} Venerunt ergo nuncii in Gabaa Saulis: et locuti sunt verba hæc, audiente populo: et levavit omnis populus vocem suam, et flevit.
{11:4} Therefore, the messengers arrived at Gibeah of Saul. And they spoke these words in the hearing of the people. And all the people lifted up their voice and wept.
{11:5} Et ecce Saul veniebat, sequens boves de agro, et ait: Quid habet populus quod plorat? Et narraverunt ei verba virorum Iabes.
{11:5} And behold, Saul arrived, following oxen from the field. And he said, “What has happened to the people that they would weep?” And they explained to him the words of the men from Jabesh.
{11:6} Et insilivit Spiritus Domini in Saul, cum audisset verba hæc, et iratus est furor eius nimis.
{11:6} And the Spirit of the Lord rose up within Saul when he had heard these words, and his fury was enraged exceedingly.
~ Saul had a righteous anger that is absent from many in the Church today.
{11:7} Et assumens utrumque bovem, concidit in frustra, misitque in omnes terminos Israel per manum nunciorum, dicens: Quicumque non exierit, et secutus fuerit Saul et Samuel, sic fiet bobus eius. Invasit ergo timor Domini populum, et egressi sunt quasi vir unus.
{11:7} And taking both the oxen, he cut them into pieces, and he sent them into all the borders of Israel, by the hands of messengers, saying, “Whoever will not go out and follow Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen.” Therefore, the fear of the Lord entered into the people, and they went out like one man.
{11:8} Et recensuit eos in Bezech: fueruntque filiorum Israel trecenta millia: virorum autem Iuda triginta millia.
{11:8} And he took a census of them at Bezek. And there were three hundred thousand of the sons of Israel. And there were thirty thousand of the men of Judah.
{11:9} Et dixerunt nunciis qui venerant: Sic dicetis viris, qui sunt in Iabes Galaad: Cras erit vobis salus, cum incaluerit sol. Venerunt ergo nuncii, et annunciaverunt viris Iabes: qui lætati sunt.
{11:9} And they said to the messengers who had arrived: “So shall you say to the men who are of Jabesh Gilead: ‘Tomorrow, when the sun will be hot, you shall have salvation.’ ” Therefore, the messengers went and announced it to the men of Jabesh, who became joyful.
{11:10} Et dixerunt: Mane exibimus ad vos: et facietis nobis omne quod placuerit vobis.
{11:10} And they said, “In the morning, we will go out to you. And you may do whatever you please with us.”
{11:11} Et factum est, cum dies crastinus venisset, constituit Saul populum in tres partes: et ingressus est media castra in vigilia matutina, et percussit Ammon usque dum incalesceret dies: reliqui autem dispersi sunt, ita ut non relinquerentur in eis duo pariter.
{11:11} And it happened that, when the next day had arrived, Saul arranged the people into three parts. And he entered into the middle of the camp at the early morning watch, and he struck down the Ammonites until the day grew hot. Then the remainder were dispersed, so much so that not even two of them were left together.
{11:12} Et ait populus ad Samuelem: Quis est iste qui dixit: Saul num regnabit super nos? Date viros, et interficiemus eos.
{11:12} And the people said to Samuel: “Who is the one who said, ‘Should Saul reign over us?’ Present the men, and we will put them to death.”
{11:13} Et ait Saul: Non occidetur quisquam in die hac, quia hodie fecit Dominus salutem in Israel.
{11:13} And Saul said: “No one shall be killed on this day. For today the Lord has accomplished salvation in Israel.”
{11:14} Dixit autem Samuel ad populum: Venite, et eamus in Galgala, et innovemus ibi regnum.
{11:14} Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and let us renew the kingdom there.”
{11:15} Et perrexit omnis populus in Galgala, et fecerunt ibi regem Saul coram Domino in Galgala, et immolaverunt ibi victimas pacificas coram Domino. Et lætatus est ibi Saul, et cuncti viri Israel nimis.
{11:15} And all the people traveled to Gilgal. And there they made Saul king, in the sight of the Lord at Gilgal. And there they immolated victims of peace, before the Lord. And there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced exceedingly.
{12:1} Dixit autem Samuel ad universum Israel: Ecce audivi vocem vestram iuxta omnia quæ locuti estis ad me, et constitui super vos regem.
{12:1} Then Samuel said to all of Israel: “Behold, I have listened to your voice, according to all that you have said to me, and I have appointed a king over you.
{12:2} Et nunc rex graditur ante vos: ego autem senui, et incanui: porro filii mei vobiscum sunt: itaque conversatus coram vobis ab adolescentia mea usque ad hanc diem, ecce præsto sum.
{12:2} And now the king advances before you. But I am old and have gray hair. Moreover, my sons are with you. And so, having conversed before you from my youth, even until this day, behold, I am here.
{12:3} Loquimini de me coram Domino, et coram Christo eius, utrum bovem cuiusquam tulerim, aut asinum: si quempiam calumniatus sum, si oppressi aliquem, si de manu cuiusquam munus accepi: et contemnam illud hodie, restituamque vobis.
{12:3} Speak about me before the Lord, and before his Christ, as to whether I have taken anyone’s ox or donkey, or whether I have falsely accused anyone, or whether I have oppressed anyone, or whether I have accepted a bribe from the hand of anyone, and I will repudiate the same, this day, and I will restore it to you.”
{12:4} Et dixerunt: Non es calumniatus nos, neque oppressisti, neque tulisti de manu alicuius quippiam.
{12:4} And they said, “You have not falsely accused us, nor oppressed us, nor have you taken anything from the hand of anyone.”
{12:5} Dixitque ad eos: Testis est Dominus adversum vos, et testis Christus eius in die hac, quia non inveneritis in manu mea quippiam. Et dixerunt: Testis.
{12:5} And he said to them, “The Lord is a witness against you, and his Christ is a witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” And they said, “He is the witness.”
{12:6} Et ait Samuel ad populum: Dominus qui fecit Moysen et Aaron, et eduxit patres nostros de Terra Ægypti.
{12:6} And Samuel said to the people: “It is the Lord who appointed Moses and Aaron, and who led our fathers away from the land of Egypt.
{12:7} Nunc ergo state, ut iudicio contendam adversum vos coram Domino de omnibus misericordiis Domini, quas fecit vobiscum et cum patribus vestris:
{12:7} Now therefore, stand, so that I may contend in judgment against you before the Lord, about all the mercies of the Lord, which he has given to you and to your fathers:
{12:8} quomodo Iacob ingressus est in Ægyptum, et clamaverunt patres vestri ad Dominum: et misit Dominus Moysen et Aaron, et eduxit patres vestros de Ægypto: et collocavit eos in loco hoc.
{12:8} How Jacob entered into Egypt, and your fathers cried out to the Lord. And the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, and he led your fathers away from Egypt, and he transferred them to this place.
{12:9} Qui obliti sunt Domini Dei sui, et tradidit eos in manu Sisaræ magistri militiæ Hasor, et in manu Philisthinorum, et in manu regis Moab, et pugnaverunt adversum eos.
{12:9} But they forgot the Lord their God, and so he delivered them into the hand of Sisera, master of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab. And they fought against them.
{12:10} Postea autem clamaverunt ad Dominum, et dixerunt: Peccavimus, quia dereliquimus Dominum, et servivimus Baalim et Astaroth: nunc ergo erue nos de manu inimicorum nostrorum, et serviemus tibi.
{12:10} But afterward, they cried out to the Lord, and they said: ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord, and we have served the Baals and Ashtaroth. Now therefore, rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you.’
{12:11} Et misit Dominus Ierobaal, et Badan, et Iephte, et Samuel, et eruit vos de manu inimicorum vestrorum per circuitum, et habitastis confidenter.
{12:11} And the Lord sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and he rescued you from the hand of your enemies all around, and you lived in confidence.
{12:12} Videntes autem quod Naas rex filiorum Ammon venisset adversum vos, dixistis mihi: Nequaquam, sed rex imperabit nobis: cum Dominus Deus vester regnaret in vobis.
{12:12} Then, seeing that Nahash, the king of the sons of Ammon, had arrived against you, you said to me, ‘By no means! Instead, a king shall reign over us,’ even though the Lord your God was reigning over you.
{12:13} Nunc ergo præsto est rex vester, quem elegistis et petistis: ecce dedit vobis Dominus regem.
{12:13} Now therefore, your king is present, whom you chose and requested. Behold, the Lord has given you a king.
{12:14} Si timueritis Dominum, et servieritis ei, et audieritis vocem eius, et non exasperaveritis os Domini: eritis et vos, et rex qui imperat vobis, sequentes Dominum Deum vestrum.
{12:14} If you will fear the Lord, and serve him, and listen to his voice, and not provoke the mouth of the Lord, then both you, and the king who rules over you, will be following the Lord your God.
{12:15} Si autem non audieritis vocem Domini, sed exasperaveritis sermones eius, erit manus Domini super vos, et super patres vestros.
{12:15} But if you will not listen to the voice of the Lord, but instead you provoke his words, then the hand of the Lord will be over you and over your fathers.
{12:16} Sed et nunc state, et videte rem istam grandem quam facturus est Dominus in conspectu vestro.
{12:16} Therefore, stand now, and see this great thing, which the Lord will accomplish in your sight.
{12:17} Numquid non messis tritici est hodie? Invocabo Dominum, et dabit voces et pluvias: et scietis, et videbitis quia grande malum feceritis vobis in conspectu Domini, petentes super vos regem.
{12:17} Is it not the harvest of the wheat today? I will call upon the Lord, and he will send thunder and rain. And you will know and see that you have done a great evil in the sight of the Lord, by petitioning for a king over you.”
{12:18} Et clamavit Samuel ad Dominum, et dedit Dominus voces et pluvias in illa die.
{12:18} And Samuel cried out to the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain on that day.
{12:19} Et timuit omnis populus nimis Dominum et Samuelem, et dixit universus populus ad Samuelem: Ora pro servis tuis ad Dominum Deum tuum, ut non moriamur. Addidimus enim universis peccatis nostris malum, ut peteremus nobis regem.
{12:19} And all the people feared the Lord and Samuel exceedingly. And all the people said to Samuel: “Pray, on behalf of your servants, to the Lord your God, so that we may not die. For we have added to all our sins this evil, that we would petition for a king.”
{12:20} Dixit autem Samuel ad populum: Nolite timere, vos fecistis universum malum hoc: verumtamen nolite recedere a tergo Domini, sed servite Domino in omni corde vestro.
{12:20} Then Samuel said to the people: “Do not be afraid. You have done all this evil. Yet truly, do not choose to withdraw from the back of the Lord. Instead, serve the Lord with all your heart.
{12:21} Et nolite declinare post vana, quæ non proderunt vobis, neque eruent vos, quia vana sunt.
{12:21} And do not choose to turn aside after vanities, which will never benefit you, nor rescue you, since they are empty.
{12:22} Et non derelinquet Dominus populum suum propter nomen suum magnum: quia iuravit Dominus facere vos sibi populum.
{12:22} And the Lord will not abandon his people, because of his great name. For the Lord has sworn to make you his people.
{12:23} Absit autem a me hoc peccatum in Dominum, ut cessem orare pro vobis, et docebo vos viam bonam et rectam.
{12:23} So then, far be it from me, this sin against the Lord, that I would cease to pray for you. And so, I will teach you the good and upright way.
{12:24} Igitur timete Dominum, et servite ei in veritate, et ex toto corde vestro. Vidistis enim magnifica quæ in vobis gesserit.
{12:24} Therefore, fear the Lord, and serve him in truth and from your whole heart. For you have seen the great works that he has done among you.
{12:25} Quod si perseveraveritis in malitia: et vos et rex vester pariter peribitis.
{12:25} But if you persevere in wickedness, both you and your king will perish together.”
{13:1} Filius unius anni erat Saul cum regnare cœpisset, duobus autem annis regnavit super Israel.
{13:1} When he began to reign, Saul was the son of one year, and he reigned over Israel for two years.
~ The expression “son of …” is a common idiomatic expression in Hebrew. Examples: son of death, a dead body; son of perdition, one who is lost; sons of adulterers, these ‘sons’ are not the children of persons who have committed adultery, but rather it is the sons themselves who have committed adultery, behaving as if they are sons of adultery personified.
~ Saul was appointed king by the people one year after he was anointed king by Samuel, that is, one year after the Spirit of the Lord came to him, so that he became a new man with a new heart, as explained in chapter ten. That is why Sacred Scripture says figuratively that Saul was the son of one year when his reign began.
~ Then Saul reigned for two years after being appointed king by the people. So the war occurred three years after Saul anointed him, but two years after he was appointed king.
~ The foolish claim that the correct numbers have been dropped from the text must be false. God’s providence does not permit even the least truth to drop out of Sacred Scripture, nor to become corrupted, nor the least falsehood to enter into Sacred Scripture. Also, from a human point of view, the Jewish scholars gave great weight to numbers and to their figurative meaning. This is reflected in numerous passages where numbers are used symbolically, and this continued even into the New Testament. For example, the 144,000 in the Book of Revelation is a symbolic number. So the Rabbis would not have lost two numbers, from one verse, pertaining to the first king of Israel. It could not have been lost from the written text, not only because of their scrupulosity, but also because the numbers would have been passed on verbally, in their instruction to each generation. Therefore, these numbers are correct.
~ Usually, when the age of a person in the Old Testament is stated, the expression ‘son of …’ is not used. Instead, the age is simply stated plainly. The use of ‘son of …’ indicates a figure of speech, not a statement of the number of years from birth.
{13:2} Et elegit sibi Saul tria millia de Israel: et erant cum Saul duo millia in Machmas, et in monte Bethel: mille autem cum Ionatha in Gabaa Beniamin. Porro ceterum populum remisit unumquemque in tabernacula sua.
{13:2} And Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel. And two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and at mount Bethel. Then one thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin. But the remainder of the people, he sent back, each one to his own tent.
{13:3} Et percussit Ionathas stationem Philisthinorum, quæ erat in Gabaa. Quod cum audissent Philisthiim, Saul cecinit buccina in omni terra, dicens: Audiant Hebræi.
{13:3} And Jonathan struck the garrison of the Philistines, which was in Gibeah. And when the Philistines had heard about it, Saul sounded the trumpet over all the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews listen.”
{13:4} Et universus Israel audivit huiuscemodi famam: Percussit Saul stationem Philisthinorum: et erexit se Israel adversus Philisthiim. Clamavit ergo populus post Saul in Galgala.
{13:4} And all of Israel heard this report, that Saul had struck the garrison of the Philistines. And Israel raised himself up against the Philistines. Then the people cried out to Saul at Gilgal.
~ Although it was actually Jonathan who struck the garrison of the Philistines, Saul is said to have been the author of the attack since Jonathan was acting under the direction of Saul.
{13:5} Et Philisthiim congregati sunt ad prœliandum contra Israel, triginta millia curruum, et sex millia equitum, et reliquum vulgus, sicut arena quæ est in littore maris plurima. Et ascendentes castrametati sunt in Machmas ad Orientem Bethaven.
{13:5} And the Philistines gathered to do battle against Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and the remainder of the common people, who were very many, like the sand that is on the shore of the sea. And ascending, they encamped at Michmash, toward the east of Bethaven.
{13:6} Quod cum vidissent viri Israel se in arcto positos, (afflictus enim erat populus) absconderunt se in speluncis, et in abditis, in petris quoque, et in antris, et in cisternis.
{13:6} And when the men of Israel had seen themselves to be in a narrowed position, they hid themselves in caves, and in out of the way places, and in rocks, and in hollows, and in pits (for the people were distressed).
{13:7} Hebræi autem transierunt Iordanem in Terram Gad et Galaad. Cumque adhuc esset Saul in Galgala, universus populus perterritus est, qui sequebatur eum.
{13:7} Then some of the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan, into the land of Gad and Gilead. And while Saul was still at Gilgal, the entire people who followed him were terrified.
{13:8} Et expectavit septem diebus iuxta placitum Samuelis, et non venit Samuel in Galgala, dilapsusque est populus ab eo.
{13:8} But he waited for seven days, in accord with what was agreed with Samuel. But Samuel did not arrive at Gilgal, for the people were scattering away from him.
{13:9} Ait ergo Saul: Afferte mihi holocaustum, et pacifica. Et obtulit holocaustum.
{13:9} Therefore, Saul said, “Bring me the holocaust and the peace offerings.” And he offered the holocaust.
{13:10} Cumque complesset offerens holocaustum, ecce Samuel veniebat: et egressus est Saul obviam ei ut salutaret eum.
{13:10} And when he had completed the offering of the holocaust, behold, Samuel arrived. And Saul went out to meet him, so that he might greet him.
{13:11} Locutusque est ad eum Samuel: Quid fecisti? Respondit Saul: Quia vidi quod populus dilaberetur a me, et tu non veneras iuxta placitos dies, porro Philisthiim congregati fuerant in Machmas,
{13:11} And Samuel said to him, “What have you done?” Saul responded: “Since I saw that the people were scattering away from me, and you had not arrived after the agreed upon days, and yet the Philistines had gathered together at Michmash,
{13:12} dixi: Nunc descendent Philisthiim ad me in Galgala, et faciem Domini non placavi. Necessitate compulsus, obtuli holocaustum.
{13:12} I said: ‘Now the Philistines will descend to me at Gilgal. And I have not appeased the face of the Lord.’ Compelled by necessity, I offered the holocaust.
{13:13} Dixitque Samuel ad Saul: Stulte egisti, nec custodisti mandata Domini Dei tui, quæ præcepit tibi. Quod si non fecisses, iam nunc præparasset Dominus regnum tuum super Israel in sempiternum,
{13:13} And Samuel said to Saul: “You have acted foolishly. You have not kept the commandments of the Lord your God, which he instructed to you. And if you had not acted in this way, the Lord would, here and now, have prepared your kingdom over Israel forever.
~ Saul committed a sacrilege. Saul was not a priest, and therefore he should not have offered the sacrifice. Samuel was the priest; Saul was not.
{13:14} sed nequaquam regnum tuum ultra consurget. Quæsivit Dominus sibi virum iuxta cor suum: et præcepit ei Dominus ut esset dux super populum suum, eo quod non servaveris quæ præcepit Dominus.
{13:14} But by no means shall your kingdom rise up any more. The Lord has sought for himself a man according to his own heart. And him the Lord has instructed to be the leader over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord has instructed.”
{13:15} Surrexit autem Samuel, et ascendit de Galgalis in Gabaa Beniamin. Et reliqui populi ascenderunt post Saul obviam populo, qui expugnabant eos venientes de Galgala in Gabaa, in colle Beniamin. Et recensuit Saul populum, qui inventi fuerant cum eo, quasi sexcentos viros.
{13:15} Then Samuel rose up and ascended from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. And the remainder of the people ascended after Saul, to meet the people who were fighting against them, going from Gilgal into Gibeah, to the hill of Benjamin. And Saul took a census of the people, who had been found to be with him, about six hundred men.
{13:16} Et Saul et Ionathas filius eius, populusque qui inventus fuerat cum eis, erat in Gabaa Beniamin: porro Philisthiim consederant in Machmas.
{13:16} And Saul, and his son Jonathan, and the people who had been found to be with them, were at Gibeah of Benjamin. But the Philistines had settled in at Michmash.
{13:17} Et egressi sunt ad prædandum de castris Philisthinorum tres cunei. Unus cuneus pergebat contra viam Ephra ad Terram Sual.
{13:17} And three companies went out from the camp of the Philistines, in order to plunder. One company was traveling toward the way of Ophrah, to the land of Shual.
{13:18} Porro alius ingrediebatur per viam Beth horon. Tertius autem verterat se ad iter termini imminentis valli Seboim contra desertum.
{13:18} Then another entered along the way of Beth-horon. But the third turned itself to the way of the border, overhanging the valley of Zeboim, opposite the desert.
{13:19} Porro faber ferrarius non inveniebatur in omni Terra Israel. Caverant enim Philisthiim, ne forte facerent Hebræi gladium aut lanceam.
{13:19} Now there was no worker of iron to be found in all the land of Israel. For the Philistines had been cautious, lest perhaps the Hebrews might make swords or spears.
{13:20} Descendebat ergo omnis Israel ad Philisthiim, ut exacueret unusquisque vomerem suum, et ligonem et securim et sarculum.
{13:20} Therefore, all of Israel descended to the Philistines, so that each man could sharpen his plowshare, or pick axe, or hatchet, or hoe.
{13:21} Retusæ itaque erant acies vomerum, et ligonum, et tridentum, et securium, usque ad stimulum corrigendum.
{13:21} For their plow blades, and pick axes, and pitch forks, and axes had become blunt, and even the handles needed to be repaired.
{13:22} Cumque venisset dies prœlii, non est inventus ensis et lancea in manu totius populi, qui erat cum Saule et Ionatha, excepto Saul et Ionatha filio eius.
{13:22} And when the day of battle had arrived, there was found neither sword nor spear in the hand of the entire people who were with Saul and Jonathan, except for Saul and his son Jonathan.
{13:23} Egressa est autem statio Philisthiim, ut transcenderet in Machmas.
{13:23} Then the army of the Philistines went out in order to go across Michmash.
{14:1} Et accidit quadam die ut diceret Ionathas filius Saul ad adolescentem armigerum suum: Veni, et transeamus ad stationem Philisthinorum, quæ est trans locum illum. Patri autem suo hoc ipsum non indicavit.
{14:1} And it happened that, on a certain day, Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the youth who bore his armor, “Come, and let us go over to the garrison of the Philistines, which is across from that place.” But he did not reveal this to his father.
{14:2} Porro Saul morabatur in extrema parte Gabaa sub malogranato, quæ erat in Magron: et erat populus cum eo quasi sexcentorum virorum.
{14:2} Moreover, Saul was staying in the furthermost part of Gibeah, below the pomegranate tree that was at Migron. And the people with him were about six hundred men.
{14:3} Et Achias filius Achitob fratris Ichabod filii Phinees, qui ortus fuerat ex Heli sacerdote Domini in Silo, portabat ephod. Sed et populus ignorabat quo isset Ionathas.
{14:3} And Ahijah, the son of Ahitub, the brother of Ichabod, the son of Phinehas, who had been born of Eli, the priest of the Lord at Shiloh, wore the ephod. But the people did not know where Jonathan had gone.
{14:4} Erant autem inter ascensus, per quos nitebatur Ionathas transire ad stationem Philisthinorum, eminentes petræ ex utraque parte, et quasi in modum dentium scopuli hinc et inde prærupti, nomen uni Boses, et nomen alteri Sene:
{14:4} Now there were, between the ascents along which Jonathan strove to cross to the garrison of the Philistines, rocks projecting from both sides, and, in the manner of teeth, boulders breaking out from one side and the other. The name of one was Shining, and the name of the other was Thorny.
{14:5} unus scopulus prominens ad Aquilonem ex adverso Machmas, et alter ad Meridiem contra Gabaa.
{14:5} One boulder projected toward the north, opposite Michmash, and the other toward the south, opposite Gibeah.
{14:6} Dixit autem Ionathas ad adolescentem armigerum suum: Veni, transeamus ad stationem incircumcisorum horum, si forte faciat Dominus pro nobis: quia non est Domino difficile salvare, vel in multis, vel in paucis.
{14:6} Then Jonathan said to the youth who bore his armor: “Come, let us go across to the garrison of these uncircumcised. And perhaps the Lord may act on our behalf. For it is not difficult for the Lord to save, either by many, or by few.”
{14:7} Dixitque ei armiger suus: Fac omnia, quæ placent animo tuo: perge quo cupis, et ero tecum ubicumque volueris.
{14:7} And his armor bearer said to him: “Do all that is pleasing to your soul. Go wherever you wish, and I will be with you, wherever you will choose.”
{14:8} Et ait Ionathas: Ecce nos transimus ad viros istos. Cumque apparuerimus eis,
{14:8} And Jonathan said: “Behold, we will cross over to these men. And when we will be seen by them,
{14:9} si taliter locuti fuerint ad nos, manete donec veniamus ad vos: stemus in loco nostro, nec ascendamus ad eos.
{14:9} if they have spoken to us in this way, ‘Stay until we come to you,’ let us stand still in our place, and not ascend to them.
{14:10} Si autem dixerint: Ascendite ad nos: ascendamus, quia tradidit eos Dominus in manibus nostris, hoc erit nobis signum.
{14:10} But if they will say, ‘Ascend to us,’ let us ascend. For the Lord has delivered them into our hands. This will be the sign to us.”
{14:11} Apparuit igitur uterque stationi Philisthinorum: dixeruntque Philisthiim: En Hebræi egrediuntur de cavernis, in quibus absconditi fuerant.
{14:11} And so, both of them appeared before the garrison of the Philistines. And the Philistines said, “See, the Hebrews have come out from the holes in which they had been hiding.”
{14:12} Et locuti sunt viri de statione ad Ionathan, et ad armigerum eius, dixeruntque: Ascendite ad nos, et ostendemus vobis rem. Et ait Ionathas ad armigerum suum: Ascendamus, sequere me: tradidit enim Dominus eos in manus Israel.
{14:12} And the men of the garrison spoke to Jonathan and to his armor bearer, and they said, “Ascend to us, and we will show you something.” And Jonathan said to his armor bearer: “Let us ascend. Follow me. For the Lord has delivered them into the hands of Israel.”
{14:13} Ascendit autem Ionathas manibus et pedibus reptans, et armiger eius post eum. Itaque alii cadebant ante Ionathan, alios armiger eius interficiebat sequens eum.
{14:13} Then Jonathan ascended, crawling on his hands and feet, and his armor bearer after him. And then, some fell before Jonathan, others his armor bearer killed as he was following him.
{14:14} Et facta est plaga prima, qua percussit Ionathas et armiger eius, quasi viginti virorum in media parte iugeri, quam par boum in die arare consuevit.
{14:14} And the first slaughter was made when Jonathan and his armor bearer struck down about twenty of the men, in the midst of an area of land that a yoke of oxen would usually plow in a day.
{14:15} Et factum est miraculum in castris, per agros: sed et omnis populus stationis eorum, qui ierant ad prædandum, obstupuit, et conturbata est terra: et accidit quasi miraculum a Deo.
{14:15} And a miracle occurred in the camp, out in the fields. And all of the people of their garrison, who had gone out in order to plunder, were stupefied. And the earth trembled. And it happened as a miracle from God.
{14:16} Et respexerunt speculatores Saul, qui erant in Gabaa Beniamin, et ecce multitudo prostrata, et huc illucque diffugiens.
{14:16} And the watchmen of Saul, who were at Gibeah of Benjamin, looked out, and behold, a multitude was thrown down and dispersed, this way and that.
{14:17} Et ait Saul populo, qui erat cum eo: Requirite, et videte quis abierit ex nobis. Cumque requisissent, repertum est non adesse Ionathan, et armigerum eius.
{14:17} And Saul said to the people who were with him, “Inquire and see who has gone out from us.” And when they had inquired, it was found that Jonathan and his armor bearer were not present.
{14:18} Et ait Saul ad Achiam: Applica arcam Dei. (Erat enim ibi arca Dei in die illa cum filiis Israel.)
{14:18} And Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of the God.” (For the ark of God was, in that day, with the sons of Israel in that place.)
{14:19} Cumque loqueretur Saul ad sacerdotem, tumultus magnus exortus est in castris Philisthinorum: crescebatque paulatim, et clarius resonabat. Et ait Saul ad sacerdotem: Contrahe manum tuam.
{14:19} And while Saul spoke to the priest, there arose a great tumult in the camp of the Philistines. And it was increasing, little by little, and it was being heard more clearly. And Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”
{14:20} Conclamavit ergo Saul, et omnis populus, qui erat cum eo, et venerunt usque ad locum certaminis: et ecce versus fuerat gladius uniuscuiusque ad proximum suum, et cædes magna nimis.
{14:20} Then Saul, and all the people who were with him, cried out together, and they went to the place of the conflict. And behold, each one’s sword had been turned against his neighbor, and there was a very great slaughter.
{14:21} Sed et Hebræi qui fuerant cum Philisthiim heri et nudiustertius, ascenderantque cum eis in castris, reversi sunt ut essent cum Israel, qui erant cum Saul et Ionatha.
{14:21} Moreover, the Hebrews who had been with the Philistines yesterday and the day before, and who had ascended with them into the camp, turned back so that they might be with those of Israel who were with Saul and Jonathan.
{14:22} Omnes quoque Israelitæ, qui se absconderant in monte Ephraim, audientes quod fugissent Philisthæi, sociaverunt se cum suis in prælio. Et erant cum Saul, quasi decem millia virorum.
{14:22} Likewise, all the Israelites who had hidden themselves on mount Ephraim, hearing that the Philistines had fled, joined themselves with their own in the battle. And there were with Saul about ten thousand men.
{14:23} Et salvavit Dominus in die illa Israel. Pugna autem pervenit usque ad Bethaven.
{14:23} And the Lord saved Israel on that day. But the fight continued as far as Bethaven.
{14:24} Et viri Israel sociati sunt sibi in die illa: adiuravit autem Saul populum, dicens: Maledictus vir, qui comederit panem usque ad vesperam, donec ulciscar de inimicis meis. Et non manducavit universus populus panem:
{14:24} And the men of Israel were joined together on that day. And Saul made the people swear, saying, “Cursed be the man who will eat bread, until evening, until I am avenged of my enemies.” And the entire people did not consume bread.
{14:25} omneque terræ vulgus venit in saltum, in quo erat mel super faciem agri.
{14:25} And all the common people went into a forest, in which there was honey on the surface of the field.
{14:26} Ingressus est itaque populus saltum, et apparuit fluens mel, nullusque applicuit manum ad os suum. Timebat enim populus iuramentum.
{14:26} And so the people entered the forest, and there appeared flowing honey, but no one drew his hand near his mouth. For the people were afraid of the oath.
{14:27} Porro Ionathas non audierat cum adiuraret pater eius populum: extenditque summitatem virgæ, quam habebat in manu, et intinxit in favum mellis: et convertit manum suam ad os suum, et illuminati sunt oculi eius.
{14:27} But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people to an oath. And so he extended the top of the staff that he was holding in his hand, and he dipped it in a honeycomb. And he turned his hand to his mouth, and his eyes were brightened.
{14:28} Respondensque unus de populo, ait: Iureiurando constrinxit pater tuus populum, dicens: Maledictus vir, qui comederit panem hodie. (Defecerat autem populus.)
{14:28} And in response, one of the people said, “Your father has bound the people by an oath, saying: ‘Cursed be the man who will eat any bread this day.’ ” (For the people were faint.)
{14:29} Dixitque Ionathas: Turbavit pater meus terram: vidistis ipsi quia illuminati sunt oculi mei, eo quod gustaverim paululum de melle isto:
{14:29} And Jonathan said: “My father has troubled the land. You have seen for yourselves that my eyes were brightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
{14:30} quanto magis si comedisset populus de præda inimicorum suorum, quam reperit? Nonne maior plaga facta fuisset in Philisthiim?
{14:30} How much more so, if the people had eaten from the plunder that they find with their enemies? Would not a greater slaughter have been accomplished among the Philistines?”
{14:31} Percusserunt ergo in die illa Philisthæos a Machmis usque in Aialon. Defatigatus est autem populus nimis:
{14:31} Therefore, on that day, they struck down the Philistines, from Michmash as far as Aijalon. But the people were exceedingly wearied.
{14:32} et versus ad prædam tulit oves, et boves, et vitulos, et mactaverunt in terra: comeditque populus cum sanguine.
{14:32} And turning to the spoils, they took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and they slew them on the ground. And the people ate with blood.
{14:33} Nunciaverunt autem Sauli dicentes quod populus peccasset Domino, comedens cum sanguine. Qui ait: Prævaricati estis: volvite ad me iam nunc saxum grande.
{14:33} Then they reported to Saul, saying that the people had sinned against the Lord, eating with blood. And he said: “You have transgressed. Roll a great stone to me, here and now.”
{14:34} Et dixit Saul: Dispergimini in vulgus, et dicite eis ut adducat ad me unusquisque bovem suum et arietem, et occidite super istud, et vescimini, et non peccabitis Domino comedentes cum sanguine. Adduxit itaque omnis populus unusquisque bovem in manu sua usque ad noctem: et occiderunt ibi.
{14:34} And Saul said: “Disperse yourselves among the common people, and tell each one of them to bring to me his ox and his ram, and to slay them upon this stone, and to eat, so that you will not sin against the Lord, in eating with blood.” And so, each one, out of all the people, brought his ox, by his own hand, throughout the night. And they slew them there.
{14:35} Ædificavit autem Saul altare Domino; tuncque primum cœpit ædificare altare Domino.
{14:35} Then Saul built an altar to the Lord. And so, it was then that he first began to build an altar to the Lord.
{14:36} Et dixit Saul: Irruamus super Philisthæos nocte, et vastemus eos usque dum illucescat mane, nec relinquamus ex eis virum. Dixitque populus: Omne quod bonum videtur in oculis tuis, fac. Et ait sacerdos: Accedamus huc ad Deum.
{14:36} And Saul said: “Let us fall upon the Philistines by night, and lay waste to them even until the morning light. And let us not leave behind a man among them.” And the people said, “Do all that seems good in your eyes.” And the priest said, “Let us draw near to God in this place.”
{14:37} Et consuluit Saul Dominum: Num persequar Philisthiim? Si trades eos in manus Israel? Et non respondit ei in die illa.
{14:37} And Saul consulted the Lord: “Shall I pursue the Philistines? Will you deliver them into the hands of Israel?” And he did not respond to him on that day.
{14:38} Dixitque Saul: Applicate huc universos angulos populi: et scitote, et videte per quem acciderit peccatum hoc hodie.
{14:38} And Saul said: “Bring here every single leader of the people. And we shall know and see by whom this sin was committed this day.
{14:39} Vivit Dominus salvator Israel, quia si per Ionathan filium meum factum est, absque retractione morietur. Ad quod nullus contradixit ei de omni populo.
{14:39} As the Lord lives, who is the Saviour of Israel, even if it were done by my son Jonathan, without retraction he shall die.” In this, no one among all the people contradicted him.
{14:40} Et ait ad universum Israel: Separamini vos in partem unam, et ego cum Ionatha filio meo ero in parte altera. Responditque populus ad Saul: Quod bonum videtur in oculis tuis, fac.
{14:40} And he said to all of Israel, “Separate yourselves on one side, and I, with my son Jonathan, will be on the other side.” And the people responded to Saul, “Do what seems good in your eyes.”
{14:41} Et dixit Saul ad Dominum Deum Israel: Domine Deus Israel da indicium: quid est quod non responderis servo tuo hodie? Si in me, aut in Ionatha filio meo est iniquitas hæc, da ostensionem: aut si hæc iniquitas est in populo tuo, da sanctitatem. Et deprehensus est Ionathas et Saul, populus autem exivit.
{14:41} And Saul said to the Lord, the God of Israel: “O Lord, God of Israel, grant a sign: Why is it that you will not respond to your servant this day? If this iniquity is in me, or in my son Jonathan, grant an indication. Or if this iniquity is in your people, grant a sanctification.” And Jonathan and Saul were discovered, but the people were released.
{14:42} Et ait Saul: Mittite sortem inter me, et inter Ionathan filium meum. Et captus est Ionathas.
{14:42} And Saul said, “Cast lots between myself and Jonathan, my son.” And Jonathan was caught.
{14:43} Dixit autem Saul ad Ionathan: Indica mihi quid feceris. Et indicavit ei Ionathas, et ait: Gustans gustavi in summitate virgæ, quæ erat in manu mea, paululum mellis, et ecce ego morior.
{14:43} Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” And Jonathan revealed to him, and said: “Truly, I tasted a little honey with the top of the staff that was in my hand. And behold, I shall die.”
{14:44} Et ait Saul: Hæc faciat mihi Deus, et hæc addat, quia morte morieris Ionatha.
{14:44} And Saul said, “May God do these things to me, and may he add these other things, for you shall surely die, Jonathan!”
{14:45} Dixitque populus ad Saul: Ergone Ionathas morietur, qui fecit salutem hanc magnam in Israel? Hoc nefas est: vivit Dominus, si ceciderit capillus de capite eius in terram, quia cum Deo operatus est hodie. Liberavit ergo populus Ionathan, ut non moreretur.
{14:45} And the people said to Saul: “Why should Jonathan have to die, who has accomplished this great salvation in Israel? This is wrong. As the Lord lives, not one hair of his head should fall to the ground. For he has wrought with God this day.” Therefore, the people freed Jonathan, so that he would not die.
{14:46} Recessitque Saul, nec persecutus est Philisthiim: porro Philisthiim abierunt in loca sua.
{14:46} And Saul withdrew, and he did not pursue the Philistines. And the Philistines went away to their own places.
{14:47} Et Saul, confirmato regno super Israel, pugnabat per circuitum adversum omnes inimicos eius, contra Moab, et filios Ammon, et Edom, et reges Soba, et Philisthæos: et quocumque se verterat, superabat.
{14:47} And Saul, his kingdom having been confirmed over Israel, was fighting against all his enemies on all sides: against Moab, and the sons of Ammon, and Edom, and the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. And wherever he turned himself, he was successful.
{14:48} Congregatoque exercitu, percussit Amalec, et eruit Israel de manu vastatorum eius.
{14:48} And gathering together an army, he struck Amalek. And he rescued Israel from the hand of those who would lay waste to them.
{14:49} Fuerunt autem filii Saul, Ionathas et Iessui, et Melchisua: et nomina duarum filiarum eius, nomen primogenitæ Merob, et nomen minoris Michol.
{14:49} Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishvi, and Malchishua. And as for the names of his two daughters: the name of the firstborn daughter was Merab, and the name of the younger one was Michal.
{14:50} Et nomen uxoris Saul, Achinoam filia Achimaas: et nomen principis militiæ eius Abner, filius Ner, patruelis Saul.
{14:50} And the name of the wife of Saul was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the first ruler of his military was Abner, the son of Ner, the first cousin of Saul.
{14:51} Porro Cis fuit pater Saul, et Ner pater Abner, filius Abiel.
{14:51} For Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner was the father of Abner, and the son of Abiel.
~ Abiel was the father of Kish and Ner, his sons. Kish and Ner were brothers. Saul was the son of Kish, and Abner was the son of Ner, so Saul and Abner were first cousins.
{14:52} Erat autem bellum potens adversum Philisthæos omnibus diebus Saul. Nam quemcumque viderat Saul virum fortem, et aptum ad prælium, sociabat eum sibi.
{14:52} Now there was a powerful war against the Philistines during all the days of Saul. And so, whomever Saul had seen to be a strong man, and fit for battle, he joined him to himself.
{15:1} Et dixit Samuel ad Saul: Me misit Dominus, ut ungerem te in regem super populum eius Israel: nunc ergo audi vocem Domini:
{15:1} And Samuel said to Saul: “The Lord sent me, so that I would anoint you as king over his people Israel. Now therefore, listen to the voice of the Lord.
{15:2} Hæc dicit Dominus exercituum: Recensui quæcumque fecit Amalec Israeli: quomodo restitit ei in via cum ascenderet de Ægypto.
{15:2} ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: I have taken account of all that Amalek has done to Israel, how he stood against him in the way, when he ascended from Egypt.
{15:3} Nunc ergo vade, et percute Amalec, et demolire universa eius: non parcas ei, et non concupiscas ex rebus ipsius aliquid: sed interfice a viro usque ad mulierem, et parvulum atque lactentem, bovem et ovem, camelum et asinum.
{15:3} Now therefore, go and strike Amalek, and demolish all that is his. You shall not spare him, and you shall not covet anything out of the things that are his. Instead, kill from man even to woman, and little ones as well as infants, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ”
{15:4} Præcepit itaque Saul populo, et recensuit eos quasi agnos: ducenta millia peditum, et decem millia virorum Iuda.
{15:4} And so, Saul instructed the people, and he numbered them like lambs: two hundred thousand foot soldiers, and ten thousand men of Judah.
{15:5} Cumque venisset Saul usque ad civitatem Amalec, tetendit insidias in torrente.
{15:5} And when Saul had arrived as far as the city of Amalek, he placed ambushes at the torrent.
{15:6} Dixitque Saul Cinæo: Abite, recedite, atque descendite ab Amalec: ne forte involvam te cum eo. Tu enim fecisti misericordiam cum omnibus filiis Israel, cum ascenderent de Ægypto. Et recessit Cinæus de medio Amalec.
{15:6} And Saul said to the Kenite: “Go away, withdraw, and descend from Amalek. Otherwise, I will include you with him. For you showed mercy to all the sons of Israel, when they ascended from