24 Now Israel’s fighting men were distressed that day. For Saul had placed the people under a curse, saying, “Cursed is the man that eats any food before it is evening, and I have been avenged on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted any food.
25 All the people of the land came to the forest, and there was honey on the ground.
26 When the people came into the forest there was flowing honey. But no man put his hand to his mouth, because the people feared the oath.
27 But Jonathan had not heard when his father made the people swear. Therefore he put forward the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in the honeycomb. Then he put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes were brightened.
28 Then one of the people answered, and said, “Your father surely made the people swear, saying, ‘Cursed is the man that eats any food this day.’ ” And the people were weary.
29 Then said Jonathan, “My father has troubled the land. See how my eyes have brightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
30 How much more, if the people had surely eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found? But now the defeat of the Philistines has not been great.”